Seapower - August 2009

The Kuwaiti Navy intends to use the MK V to protect its territorial waters as well as critical offshore oil pumping and loading facilities. The vessels will be armed with the MLG- 27 Mauser lightweight gun system.

Norway To Acquire
Joint Support Ship

Norwegian Minister of Defense Anne-Greta Strøm-Erichsen has announced that the Royal Norwegian Navy intends to acquire a new joint logistic support ship. The program is valued at $243.4 million and the ship scheduled to enter service in 2014.

Initial information suggests that the new ship will combine the operational capabilities of a roll-on/roll-off cargo ship and a fleet replenishment ship — both of which the Norwegian Navy has had plans in the works for since 2005 — into one unit. This combination of capabili-

ties will save the service both in the initial cost of a second vessel and the operating and manning costs associated with a second hull.

Based on initial information, the ship will have two refueling-at-sea stations (one each port and starboard), a heavy-lift crane, two underway replenishment stations, and a flight deck and hangar for two helicopters. It also will have the capability of transporting personnel, equipment vehicles, fuel and ammunition for all of Norway’s armed forces.

As a secondary function, it also will be able to support civil authorities during times of national emergency for evacuations, medical assistance and oil spills.

Daewoo To Modernize Indonesian Submarine South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering has been awarded a $75 million contract for

the modernization of the Indonesian Navy’s second Cakra-class Type 209/1300 submarine.

The modernization program likely will be similar to the one completed on the first Cakra sub in 2006 that included:

■ Overhaul of the submarine’s four engines.

■ Replacement of batteries.

■ Upgrade of the combat management system, sonar system and electronic support measures.

■ Replacement of the surface search radar.

Based on the timeline of the first Cakra modernization, if the second sub enters the shipyard by the end of year, it likely would return to service by the middle of 2011. ■

AMI International Inc., Bremerton, Wash., is an international consulting and naval intelligence services company located on the Web at www.amiinter.com.