By Eric Wertheim

rom counter-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia to navies of the world have proven once again that in the age of hy- ballistic-missile defense off the waters of North Korea, brid warfare, maritime forces are at the helm, leading the way. Fthe past year of naval operations has highlighted the flex- This review of the world’s navies presents a snapshot of activities ibility of global maritime power. As militaries around the globe and developments during the past year. It is arranged by region, with face conventional threats mixed with asymmetric challenges, the nations discussed alphabetically under each subheading.

Australia and Asia research and mine-countermeasures capa- took part in an around-the-world tour that No one can accuse Australia of under- bilities are planned, as are new maritime included a successful anti-piracy patrol off reaching when it comes to current patrol aircraft, unmanned aerial ve- Yemen and Somalia. During the exercises and future defense planning. hicles, and helicopters. she showcased her impressive modernized During 2009 Australia’s On the amphibious front, weapons including the recent addition government released a new the two Canberra-class of an eight-tube vertical-launch missile white paper calling for vast 27,800-ton large-deck am- system carrying 32 ESSM missiles. The naval enhancements during phibious ships are being newly modernized warships also retain the course of the next 20 built in Spain with even- the capability to carry two helicopters years. Included in the plans tual completion in Austra- and launch Harpoon antiship missiles and are efforts to replace their six lia. The first unit is planned Standard SM-1 (currently being upgraded current Collins-class submarines to enter service in 2013 and the to SM-2) surface-to-air missiles from their with a force of 12 more advanced second in 2015. The navy also is MK 13 missile launchers. The Australian subs. Eight new future frigates will replace looking to gain an enhanced sealift- and guided-missile frigates also have upgraded the current generation of ANZAC frigates, logistics-support capability with a new electronic countermeasures, radar and and new amphibious assault ships, air-war- class of auxiliaries. sonar suites, and improved electronics fare destroyers and heavy landing craft are Last year HMAS Sydney, one of Austra- systems. The fourth and final modern- all expected to join the fleet. Twenty new lia’s four newly modernized Oliver Haz- ized Perry-class frigate, Newcastle, was offshore patrol vessels with hydrographic- ard Perry–class guided-missile frigates, re-delivered to the Aussie fleet late in

44 • March 2010 www.usni.org LEO VAN GINDEREN form itself into a player on the interna- an increasingly powerful China, but the Bangladesh would like to replace Umar Farooq as soon tional naval scene commensurate with planned acquisition of aircraft carriers and as funding permits. The ex- its massive place in the global economy. nuclear-powered submarines reflects an British Salisbury-class frigate China’s first major international naval earnest Indian desire for power-projection was commissioned in 1958 deployment, to fight piracy off the coast capabilities as well. India faces a prob- and transferred in 1976. of Somalia, began in late December 2008 lematic relationship with Russia concern- and had been set to wrap up in March ing the two nations’ defense acquisition 2009; the class will re- 2009 before the Chinese government an- ties. Just as India appeared to be leaning main in frontline service nounced that the missions would be ex- increasingly to the West, it chose in late through at least the end of tended. New warships have been cycled 2009 to renew a 10-year military industrial the decade, at which point in to replace those vessels departing from agreement with Russia, calling into ques- Australia’s Hobart class of earlier voyages. tion the nation’s quest for an independent Aegis air-warfare destroy- China has requested a halt to U.S. mari- and efficient defense acquisition model. ers is expected to join the time surveillance of the type that sparked The late-2008 terror attacks in Mumbai fleet. Up to four Hobart- a clash between the USNS Impeccable highlighted serious gaps in India’s ability class destroyers, based on (T-AGOS-23) and a number of Chinese to prevent and respond to terrorist vio- the Spanish F-100 design, ships off Hainan Island. In the meantime, lence. Coastal defense and border security are to enter service begin- however, China continues its massive de- capabilities have thus taken on a vastly ning in 2014. fense buildup with a special emphasis on more important role. Defense budgets are  Bangladesh saw a anti-access technologies, to include the expected to increase significantly in the very modest 2.5-percent development of antiship ballistic missiles, years ahead, but many experts are con- increase to its defense bud- aimed at impeding U.S. military access in cerned that the funding may not be wisely get during 2009 and hopes the region. Among other areas of emphasis allocated or properly spent to meet the na- to use any extra funding for China are investments in stealth, cruise tion’s defense requirements. to increase the military’s missiles, and torpedo technology as well as This past summer India inked a deal to training and equipment support and logistics equipment to allow built seven Project 17A frigates with work stockpiles. The navy in- for greater power-projection capabilities. starting in 2011. The new warships are tends to replace its two Five Jin-class (Project 094) nuclear- an enhanced version of the Shivalik-class ex-British Leopard-class powered ballistic-missile submarines are frigate program (Project 17), the first of and one ex-British Salis- planned for the People’s Liberation Army which is expected to commission in 2010. bury-class frigates, while also shopping Navy (PLAN) and the first unit of the Work continues on the second batch of for antiship missiles, patrol helicopters, class entered service in 2007, although Russian-built Talwar-class frigates with and maritime patrol aircraft. the boat has yet to conduct its first deter- the third and final unit planned for deliv- Brunei’s navy apparently has ordered rence patrol. The navy’s newest subma- ery to India in 2013. A new third batch at least one new patrol boat, which was rine-launched ballistic missile, the JL-2, of the Talwar class may be purchased in sighted undergoing sea trials off Ger- is expected in service by the end of 2010. the future. In May 2009 INS Airavat, the many. Named Ijhtihad and carrying pen- Two Shang-class (Type 093) nuclear-pow- Indian Navy’s newest Shardul-class tank- nant number 17, the vessel is reportedly ered attack submarines were on display at landing ship, entered service. The vessel 41 meters long with an 8-meter beam and the PLAN 60th anniversary celebration, joined her two sister ships, Shardul and a draft of 1.9 meters. Carrying a small and reports show increased activity for the Kesari, already in the fleet. rigid-hull inflatable boat at her stern, pho- nuclear-powered attack-submarine fleet, India is in dire need of modern sub- tos of Ijhtihad show that the ship is also which increased its operational patrols to marines. Plans to acquire new units have armed with a forward-mounted gun. Ad- 12 in 2008, up from seven in 2007. Dur- taken on greater importance amid reports ditional details, including the total number ing 2009, China continued negotiations that less than half of the submarine fleet of ships to be built, remain unknown. with Russia to purchase Su-33 fighters to remains operational and 63 percent of China celebrated the 60th anniversary arm China’s future fleet of aircraft carri- the force is expected to retire by 2012. of the People’s Liberation Army during ers. China views aircraft carriers as a sign Current goals call for construction of six April 2009 with a fleet review that in- of power and prestige, and the navy is Scorpène-class units built under license in cluded dozens of Chinese surface ships working diligently to complete and mod- India, with the last three of the program and submarines as well as 21 vessels from ernize the former Russian carrier Varyag, to be fitted with air-independent propul- 14 other nations. The fleet review also renamed Shilang, possibly for use as an sion (AIP). Six additional submarines may provided evidence that China appears to aviation training ship. Planning also con- be purchased at a later date. India’s long- be making an attempt to add more trans- tinues on a locally built mid-sized aircraft awaited nuclear-powered attack submarine parency to its defense buildup in response carrier that is expected to enter service be- program took a major step forward in July to Western criticism. tween 2015 and 2020. 2009 when INS Arihant, the first of her With the world’s second-largest defense India’s military remains focused on class, was launched after more than 10 budget, China is also working to trans- regional competitors like Pakistan and years of work. There have been reports www.usni.org PROCEEDINGS • 45 that India hopes to operate the new SSN force is also working to increase its physi- the near future and aims to operate four in service as a technology demonstrator cal presence through the construction of submarines. The fleet currently consists of by 2012. A force of five nuclear-powered more than a dozen modern naval stations, two ill-maintained Type 209/1300s with ballistic-missile submarines is said to be including one at Karwar that began oper- plans to acquire two additional subma- desired by 2017—although attack subma- ating in November 2009. rines around 2014. rines fitted with nuclear-armed cruise mis- Indonesia commissioned the Frans Japan sent two destroyers to the Gulf siles may be a more likely alternative. In Kaisiepo, its fourth and final corvette of of Aden early in 2009 to take part in in- 2010 India also expects to take delivery the Diponegoro (SIGMA) class, in March ternational anti-piracy efforts. Following of the new Russian Akula-class submarine 2009. The corvettes were constructed in the Democratic Party of Japan’s election Nerpa, which has been undergoing repairs the Netherlands and are to receive their victory in summer 2009, however, the and refit since a fire-suppression system French Exocet MM40-block II antiship nation’s Indian Ocean maritime refueling malfunctioned on the boat in November missiles during 2010. Indonesia’s third operations, which had supported coalition 2008, killing 20 Russians on board. Makassar-class amphibious transport dock forces in Afghanistan, were ended. The Indian Navy hopes to effectively was handed over late in 2009 and a fourth Efforts to expand Japan’s ballistic-mis- double its naval aviation capabilities by unit is currently under construction. The sile defense capabilities, through the use of 2022 and increase its use of unmanned ships are modified versions of the Tanjung its Aegis-equipped Kongo class of guided aerial vehicles. Eight P-8 missile destroyers, have been Poseidon maritime patrol progressing well. In fall 2009 aircraft were ordered from the destroyer Myoko success- the United States for de- fully intercepted a ballistic- livery by 2015. The navy’s missile target off Hawaii. In supply of carrier-capable air- July 2009 the keel was laid craft is creating difficulties for the first of Japan’s as-yet as the 30 Sea Harrier fight- unnamed destroyers, currently ers purchased in the 1980s dubbed Project DD19. The have dwindled to a force of new four-ship class is due to only 11; non-V/STOL MiG- begin entering service in 2012 29s are beginning to enter and will screen high-value service in 2010. A minimum Japan Maritime Self-Defense of two to three aircraft car- Force (JMSDF) warships op- riers are planned, and the erating in the ballistic-missile former Kiev-class aircraft defense role. carrier Admiral Gorshkov The first of Japan’s Hyuga- (renamed Vikramaditya) has class helicopter-carrying de- been promised by Russia in stroyers was commissioned 2012. Russian work on the into service in March 2009, Vikramaditya has been so and a second unit of the class slow and expensive that a is planned to enter service newly built aircraft carrier in 2011. The ships displace or large-deck amphibious 18,000 tons fully loaded and U.S. NAVY U.S. ship from the West may well In 2009 the Japanese destroyer Myoko successfully intercepted a ballistic- will normally carry four heli- have been a better alterna- missile target off Hawaii. copters, but can operate up to tive. India’s current carrier, 11. Plans are already well un- Viraat, was expected to retire in 2011, Dalpele class. The first two units were built derway to supplement the new Hyuga class but has been extended in service at least in South Korea with the remainder built with a larger 19,500-ton warship capable a year. India’s first domestically produced domestically. The Indonesian fleet also saw of carrying 14 helicopters and transport- 37,000-ton aircraft carrier is not expected a number of smaller 40-meter patrol boats ing 4,000 personnel and 50 light vehicles. to be delivered until 2013. join the ranks early in 2009. The new 248-meter vessel is expected in As a result of the 2008 Mumbai ter- Indonesia is working to help prevent service around 2014, in time to replace ror attacks, the Indian Coast Guard is piracy and terrorism through the use of the helicopter-carrying destroyer Shirane, expected to double in strength during the maritime coastal radars supplied from the which entered service in 1980. next four years and to triple by 2020 to United States early last year. Additional Kazakhstan is a nation with big hopes meet 21st-century security requirements. CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft also have to grow a small fleet. Both the United The coast guard is looking to acquire new been ordered to assist with this task, re- States and Russia have offered assistance ships and also new aircraft, including the placing older GAF N-22 Nomads. and equipment to help build the force, purchase of coastal patrol helicopters that Indonesia is making an effort to re- which is in need of small and large patrol may be leased from the United States. The establish a credible submarine force in boats in addition to maritime helicopters.

46 • March 2010 www.usni.org Malaysia’s military has had to make due program that will take 28 months per ship ative repercussions as the program may with limited funding in the face of several to complete. Improvements to the vessels not have been grounded heavily enough naval challenges. One of the navy’s larg- include upgraded radars and a modernized in military requirements. Problems sur- est ships, the Sri Inderapura, an 8,500-ton armament fit. faced with the classes’ use of rigid-hull (full load) tank-landing ship, suffered a Malaysia has high expectations for its inflatable boats and other relatively minor devastating fire on 8 October 2009. Be- fledgling submarine force and aims to es- issues that delayed service entry for some cause of her age, the former U.S. Navy tablish a 425-man cadre of personnel to of the vessels and are forcing refits in other units that were already operational. Despite the criticism, however, it is appar- ent that New Zealand has come away with a new set of ships that are likely to serve the fleet well into the future, as demon- strated by Canterbury’s successful 2009 humanitarian deployment throughout the South Pacific region. North Korea remains a global pariah and did little in 2009 to improve its international standing. The past year saw the isolated nation conduct its second nuclear weapons test and nullify the 1953 treaty ending the Korean War. In an attempt to deter North Korea from exporting its weapons abroad, the United Nations approved sanctions allowing its member states to search any North Korean ships suspected CHRIS SATTLER HMNZS Rotoiti is one of four inshore patrol vessels that entered service under New Zealand’s of carrying weapons for export. In fall Project Protector program. 2009 a North Korean patrol boat crossed a contested maritime border with South Newport-class LST will not be repaired, man and operate its two new Scorpène- Korea and ignored warning shots from and officials are looking for a replacement class submarines. The first unit, Tunku South Korean patrol boats. The resulting vessel to be acquired in the near future. Abdul Rahman, arrived from France in naval skirmish sent the North Korean craft To assist Malaysia with regional anti- September 2009, with sister sub Tun Razak limping home in flames with at least one of piracy and counterterrorism efforts, the expected to become operational in 2010. its crew members fatally wounded. United States has provided the country New Zealand’s four new inshore pa- Pakistan continues to increase its de- with coastal and maritime defense radars. trol vessels as well as two offshore patrol fense ties with China, and in September Despite piracy problems in its own wa- vessels and the multi-purpose ship Can- 2009 the Pakistani Navy took delivery of ters, Malaysia remained a player in anti- terbury have been completed by early its newest and most advanced warship, the piracy operations off the Somali coast 2010. The Royal New Zealand Navy ac- Chinese-built F-22P frigate Zulfiquar. The as well, operating multi-purpose support quired a large number of highly capable ship, based on the Chinese Jiangwei-II– ships, including Sri Indera Sakti, as part ships within a very short period of time class (Project 53H3) frigate, was officially of the international coalition. The navy’s through the Project Protector program by handed over on 30 July. The order for the MEKO-100 RMN–class patrol ships have emphasizing expediency, cost, efficiency, Zulfiquar and three sister ships, also known been experiencing delays, although first and off-the-shelf commercial technology. in Pakistan as the Sword class, was final- of the class Kedah, second unit Pahang, These same goals also caused some neg- ized in 2005. Two units of the class, the and third ship Perak have now been accepted into service while a sixth and final ship of the class was launched in 2009. The navy’s two Kasturi- class frigates are being modernized under a 2009

Pakistan has taken delivery of its newest and most advanced warship, the Chinese-built F-22P frigate

Zulfiquar. MICHAEL NITZ www.usni.org PROCEEDINGS • 47 Shamsheer and Saif, are under construc- the victory marked an end to the nation’s to instead turn the vessels over to Viet- tion at China’s Hudong Zhongua shipyard 26-year civil war. Through superior mari- nam at an undisclosed date. The sale of in Shanghai and are expected to join the time intelligence gathering and the use the subs, along with the purchase from fleet in 2010. A fourth unit, expected in of fast patrol craft coupled with trained Russia of two Gepard-class frigates,will service in 2013, is being built in Karachi. sailors, Sri Lankan naval forces were able allow the Vietnamese Navy to step into On the submarine front, Pakistan is looking to overwhelm the enemy and destroy or the 21st century while better protecting its into purchasing Type 214 submarines from thwart insurgent warehouse ships to deny regional maritime interests. Largely due to Germany to supplement its French Agosta rebel reinforcement from the sea. As the size of the Kilo sale, Vietnam earned the and Agosta-90B–class submarines. victorious government looks ahead and distinction of becoming Russia’s top arms As the Philippines continued to fight works to unify the country, defense spend- importer during 2009. terrorism and insurgents, the nation saw ing can be expected to drop significantly. defense spending grow by nearly 10 per- Some growth will continue, however, as six Europe cent last year. The Philippine Marine Corps new Israeli Super Dvora Mk III fast- Croatia purchased two Helsinki- has led a number of major attacks against attack craft are to enter service by class guided-missile patrol craft local terrorist groups. Counterterrorism ef- the end of 2010. Other ships from Finland in 2008, and forts against Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Is- that had been pressed into the vessels were renamed lamiyah can be expected to continue, and service in last-ditch fight- Vukovar and Dubrovnik additional budget increases are foreseen. ing against rebel forces are during a January 2009 Singapore saw its fifth and sixth Trident now being formally com- ceremony. If funding (Formidable-class) frigates enter service in missioned to officially start holds up, the navy would 2009, marking the conclusion of a success- their naval careers. also like to purchase as ful acquisition project for the nation. The Taiwan seeks to thin its many as ten locally built class offers a vast improvement over the ranks of excess military personnel 40-meter patrol craft and four Sea Wolf guided-missile patrol boats that by cutting troop levels some 16 percent by corvettes. were decommissioned in 2008. Singapore 2014. With a new submarine program on  Denmark’s Absalon-class flexible- is now awaiting delivery of its two mod- hold for decades, the Taiwanese fleet must support ships received widespread praise ernized Västergötland-class submarines make do with what it can, and its defense last year for their utility while conducting purchased from Sweden. The submarines industry is working to develop its own counter-piracy operations off the coast of are being upgraded with an AIP capability, domestically built precision-guided muni- Somalia. August saw the retirement of and the first of the class, renamed Archer, tions. Taiwan is also looking for additional three very capable and well-armed Niels is due to enter service in 2010. weapons sales from the United States, Juel–class missile corvettes that had served South Korea seeks to build six which agreed to refit 12 P-3 Orion mari- the fleet well since the early 1980s. The 5,600-ton “mini-Aegis” guided-missile time patrol aircraft for Taiwan by 2013. class is expected to be replaced in ser- destroyers beginning around 2019 under Thailand’s navy has surface ships and vice by the far larger, 6,000-ton Iver Hu- what has been dubbed the KDX-IIA pro- aircraft, but no submarines. The rapid pro- itfeldt–class frigates, previously known as gram. These new warships will supple- liferation of submarines in Asia, however, the Flexible Patrol Ship class. These new ment the larger Sejong-Daewang (KDX- has forced Thailand to reconsider its po- vessels will likely enter service between III)-class destroyers, three of which are sition. German-designed, South Korean- 2012 and 2014, and are to be named Iver to be in service by 2012. In 2009 South built Type 209 submarines represent the Huitfeldt, Peter Willemoes, and Niels Juel. Korea deployed its newly commissioned most likely option if Thailand decides to Plans to replace Denmark’s current Lynx guided-missile patrol boat Yoon Young-Ha establish a true underwater-warfare capa- helicopter fleet are also underway with to police the maritime border with North bility in the future. funding appropriated for new rotary-wing Korea. The ship was commissioned in Turkmenistan in Central Asia contin- aircraft between 2010 and 2014. Denmark December 2008 and four new units were ues to underfund its military, but recently also looks to purchase two 72-meter patrol launched during 2009. More than 40 of wrapped up an agreement with Russia ships for operations around Greenland. the class may eventually be built. worth some $200 million. Under the deal Finland’s navy is making good head- South Korea’s newest Sohn Won-Il– Turkmenistan is to purchase three guided- way in its efforts to modernize. All four class (KSS-II) submarine entered service missile patrol craft and two smaller patrol Hamina-class guided-missile patrol craft in December 2009. Named An Jung-Geun, boats for service in the Caspian Sea. are fully operational. Two Hämeenmaa- the submarine is the third Korean-built, During 2009 Vietnam agreed to pur- class minelayers have completed modern- German-designed Type 214 submarine to chase six Kilo-class submarines from ization and will be returned to full service commission. Six additional Type 214s are Russia, concluding discussions that had during 2010. Three new 680-ton Italian planned by 2018. The class will be followed been in the works for years. In an interest- mine-countermeasures craft are also being by new KSS-III submarines around 2020. ing twist, the project, announced in April, built for Finland with delivery between Sri Lanka’s navy played a major role calls for Russia to complete construction 2010 and 2012. defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil of six submarines that were once planned France opened its new base in the Eelam (Tamil Tigers) insurgent force, and for service in the Venezuelan Navy, and United Arab Emirates in 2009. Though

48 • March 2010 www.usni.org first batch of Germany’s four Type 212A submarines are now in service; two more subs will join the fleet in 2012 and 2013 respectively. Greece’s navy has begun negotiations for the acquisition of six new FREMM- class frigates. At least five maritime patrol aircraft are also desired to replace its current fleet of P-3 Orions. Earlier in 2009 the Greeks were reported to be hundreds of millions of dol- lars behind in payment to ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and as a result, the Hel- lenic Navy’s Type 214 submarine program was canceled due to non-payment. It now LEO VAN LEO GINDEREN VAN seems, however, that Greece will accept the latter three Type 214 boats that were built domestically under license while Pa- panikolis, the sole German-built submarine

Denmark’s three highly capable and well- armed Niels Juel–class missile corvettes, including Olfert Fischer, were recently decommissioned. it will largely host ground and air forces, port capabilities are being expanded to accept French naval vessels likely to cycle through the facility. France’s third Mistral-class helicopter- carrying landing ship was ordered in 2009 and is expected to enter service sometime in 2012, at which point it is envisioned to replace one of the Foudre-class dock landing ships that entered service in the 1990s. LEO GINDEREN VAN Eleven multi-mission Aquitaine-class Papanikolis, the German-built first unit of Greece’s submarine force, may be sold abroad or frigates are being built by France under possibly accepted into the German fleet following disputes over Greek non-payment. the Frégates Européennes Multi-Mission (FREMM) program and will enter service vibrations indicating a problem with the of the class, may be sold elsewhere. The between 2012 and 2022. A land-attack propulsion system. The problem was cor- program to upgrade three Greek Type 209 variant of the warship was abandoned last rected by the end of the year, with the submarines with AIP was also canceled year to keep costs under check. carrier returning to service in December. after work was completed on just one France will see Le Terrible, its fourth The decision to build a second French air- boat. The navy instead hopes to build two and final Le Triomphant–class nuclear- craft carrier has been postponed for the new AIP-equipped Type 209/1400-class powered ballistic-missile submarine, enter time being. submarines at Hellenic Shipyards. As if service in 2010. The submarine will be Germany’s third Berlin-class (Type to signal its frustration, Germany’s Thys- the first unit fitted with new M51 subma- 702) replenishment oiler was ordered in senKrupp Marine Systems has chosen to rine-launched ballistic missiles, successors December 2008; the €330-million con- divest its ownership in Hellenic Shipyards to the older M45 missiles now in service. tract calls for the vessel to be in service and is now looking for a buyer. Six new Suffren-class nuclear-powered at- by 2012. Four Baden-Wurttemberg–class Italy’s 27,000-ton aircraft carrier Cavour tack submarines are being built for France (F-125) frigates are expected to begin entered operational service in 2009, hav- under the Barracuda program, with the entering service around 2015. Although ing been commissioned the previous year. first unit due to enter service in 2017. 15 Braunschweig-class (K-130) corvettes The ship will initially carry AV-8B Harrier In early 2009 the French aircraft carrier had been planned, it appears that only five aircraft until the F-35B V/STOL variant Charles de Gaulle had just completed a will be built. Six new 2,500-ton K-131 of the Joint Strike Fighter enters service. lengthy overhaul but was returned to the light frigates/corvettes are also due to Italy’s smaller aircraft carrier Giuseppe yard when officials discovered excessive come online sometime after 2017. The Garibaldi is now free to undergo a long- www.usni.org PROCEEDINGS • 49 awaited refit. Two of Italy’s Andrea Doria– and all four of the frigate-sized warships likely retire its sole Kilo-class submarine class guided-missile destroyers, built under are expected in service by 2013. by 2015 and mothball its four Type 207 the Horizon destroyer program, will also While Norway continues to direct many submarines in 2012. A requirement for be in service by the end of 2010, with the new defense efforts toward its northern three AIP-capable submarines is unlikely Andrea Doria achieving full operational borders with the Barents Sea and Russia, to be fulfilled anytime soon. capability by early 2010 and sister Ciao it is also working to modernize the fleet Portugal received from the Netherlands Duilio following later in the year. Up to 10 and integrate its forces into international the retired Karel Doorman–class frigate Carlo Bergamini–class frigates are planned maritime operations. The Royal Norwe- Van Ness and the ship was renamed Bar- for Italy under the Franco-Italian FREMM gian Navy received its fourth unit of the tolomeu Dias. A second frigate of the class program, with the first due to enter service five-ship Fridtjof Nansen–class guided- has been renamed Francisco de Almeida. in 2012. A new 2,500-ton future corvette missile frigates in late 2009, and all six Sea trials on Arpão, the navy’s second program is also in the works with six of the of the navy’s Skjold-class air-cushion German Type 209PN submarine, will take class planned from around 2018. guided-missile boats are to be in service place in 2010 and she is expected to enter Construction began late in 2009 on by 2010. A new fleet of 14 NH90 heli- service in 2011. The first submarine of the Italy’s second batch of German-designed copters is planned with eight currently class, Tridente, is due to join the fleet later Salvatore Todaro–class (Type 212A) sub- on order. Three Oksøy-class mine-hunting this year. All five of Portugal’s new C-295 marines. The two new boats were ordered vessels are due to complete modernization maritime patrol aircraft will be operational in 2008 and are expected to enter service by 2011, and the government is debating by the end of 2010. in 2015 and 2016. More may be purchased the purchase of a future logistics-support During 2009 the Russian Navy fought in the future. ship for delivery by 2013. The first of to stay relevant as it deployed forces off In 2009 the Republic of Malta received Norway’s new 2,100-ton Barentshav-class the Horn of Africa and worked to keep four new 21-meter inshore patrol craft coast guard patrol craft entered service in its dwindling force of operational ships from the Australian shipbuilder Austal. 2009 with two additional units to follow. in working order. As politicians spoke of The new vessels have a maximum speed Poland’s two former U.S. Navy Oliver increased naval spending and fleet expan- of more than 26 knots and can be armed Hazard Perry–class frigates have proven sion, military leaders warned that even with with 7.62- and 12.7-mm machine guns. expensive to maintain. The long-awaited an increased defense budget, not enough Built using a planing aluminum hull, the MEKO A-100 corvettes have been delayed money is being spent to boost domestic new vessels assist with search-and-rescue for nearly a decade due to budget restric- shipbuilding or to keep up with the main- operations, counterterrorism/anti-piracy tions, but the first unit, laid down in 2001, tenance of Russia’s active warships. duties, fisheries patrol, and drug-enforce- was finally launched in 2009. Though six Russia’s lease to use the naval base ment operations. of the corvettes are desired, no more than in Sevastopol, Ukraine, is set to expire In December 2009 the Netherlands two are likely to be built, and the first ship in 2017, but its new naval base at Nov- signed a contract with Damen Schelde is not expected in service until at least orossiysk is not expected to be ready until Naval Shipbuilding to construct a joint 2017. Poland’s fleet of Orkan-class guided- 2020. In 2009 Russia began building a support ship for the Royal Netherlands missile patrol craft had been fitted to carry new naval base in the breakaway Geor- Navy. The new vessel will provide un- Sweden’s RBS 15 Mk3 antiship missiles, gian region of Abkhazia. By the end of derway support and strategic sealift to but deliveries of the missiles will likely be 2009 media reports stated that 10 Russian replace the aging Zuiderkruis. The ship, delayed due to technical and funding is- Federal Border Guard ships were operat- to be built at Damen shipyard in Galati, sues. The navy also now hopes to extend ing from the new facility. Romania, and outfitted at Vlissingen, the life of its Tarantul-I missile boats until A dramatic shift in how the Russian Netherlands, will displace 28,000 tons, replacements can enter service. Poland will Navy acquires some of its vessels may making her the largest ship ever built for the Dutch Navy. Expected to enter service in 2014, the vessel will have a top speed of 18 knots and measure 205 meters in length with a 30-meter beam. She will have deck-landing spots for two Chinook- sized helicopters and hangar storage capacity for as many as six rotary-wing aircraft. Four Holland-class offshore patrol vessels are also being built for the Dutch Navy under a 2007 contract. The second unit of the class was laid down in 2009,

Portugal received the retired Karel Door- man-class frigate Van Ness from the Neth- erlands, and the ship has been renamed

Bartolomeu Dias. LEO GINDEREN VAN

50 • March 2010 www.usni.org upgrades. At least four of the five modernized vessels are to re-deliver by late 2010. Sweden’s new L-10 logistics support ship is expected to enter service by 2015. All of Sweden’s submarines are AIP- capable, and combat-system upgrades aboard the fleet’s submarines are expected to complete by 2013. The next-generation A26 submarine program is still in its in- fancy, though two of the new submarines are expected to replace the remaining Västergötland-class boats by 2018.

A.A. A.A. DE KRUIJF Turkey is working to integrate com- Sweden sent two Stockholm-class guided-missile patrol craft to assist with anti-piracy efforts in mand and control in all of its Oliver Haz- the Gulf of Aden. The ships were supported by the patrol boat tender Trossö, pictured here. ard Perry–class frigates and to install Mk-41 vertical-launch systems in a majority of the be on the horizon as the Kremlin appears continental United States. The frigate made class. Turkey hopes to expand its domestic likely to purchase at least one French- the visit while participating in Pacific shipbuilding capacity, and the navy’s first built 21,500-ton Mistral-class helicopter- Unity, a three-day multinational training domestically developed and produced war- carrying landing ship to provide them with scenario off Port Angeles, Washington. ship is progressing well under the Milgem enhanced maritime assault capability. This Spain’s budget cuts have prevented the program. The first unit, Heybeliada, was presents a unique domestic shipbuilding di- purchase of Tomahawk land-attack cruise launched in 2008 and will be undergoing lemma for a navy that has not been known missiles. The missiles were planned for car- sea trials during 2010, with an in-service to look outside its own defense industrial riage in Spain’s six Alvaro de Bazan–class date of 2011. As many as 12 Milgem cor- base, but must now face the reality of a Aegis frigates, the last of which is expected vettes may eventually be built. Turkey has lethargic domestic shipbuilding capability. to arrive in 2012, and four S-80 subma- ordered 16 400-ton, 55-meter patrol boats In June 2009 Russia commissioned its rines, the third of which began production that are beginning to enter the fleet in 2010. second Neustrashimyy-class frigate. The in late 2009. Perhaps the most ambitious These new craft are intended to assist with warship was literally decades behind sched- of Spain’s naval projects involves construc- coastal patrol duties. In the longer term, Tur- ule, having been launched in 1991. Acqui- tion of the 28,000-ton amphibious assault key is planning for a next-generation air- sition of a third ship has been canceled as ship Juan Carlos I, which began builder’s warfare frigate under the TF 2000 project have plans for Russia’s Project 12441 frig- trials in fall 2009, as did the 19,000-ton to begin entering service around 2021. A ates, with the ships instead being offered for oiler Cantabria. Meteoro, the first of four large amphibious dock landing ship is also sale abroad. A new Gepard-class frigate is Spanish 2,500-ton BAM patrol ships, was in the offing for the navy as leaders begin expected to enter service in 2011, and plans also launched during the past year. shopping around for a ship that is foreign- are underway for new nuclear-powered, Sweden’s military forces historically designed but domestically built and can double-hulled icebreakers to begin entering have been designed with a heavy empha- transport 800 military personnel and their service in 2015. sis on homeland defense, but in recent associated equipment. The Turkish Navy Russian surface-ship development years the nation has begun playing a more plans to replace older Type 209/1200-class and construction continue to take a back active role in international military opera- submarines with six new Type 214 units that seat to submarine work, with the navy’s tions. In 2009 the Swedish Navy was an should begin entering service in 2015. The second Sverodvinsk-class SSN (Project active player in anti-piracy activities off Turkish Coast Guard also recently ordered 885, also known as the Yasen program) Somalia as two Stockholm-class guided- four 88-meter offshore patrol vessels based laid down in July 2009. The first unit of missile patrol craft arrived in the region. on the Italian Sirio (NUPA) design. the class is expected to enter service in The ships were supported by the patrol Ukraine hopes to establish a modern 2011. Ten Borey-class nuclear-powered boat tender Trossö, but the small size and maritime capability and plans for a force of ballistic-missile submarines are desired, lack of helicopter facilities aboard many ten new 2,500-ton corvettes by 2026. The with four units in varying stages of con- Swedish naval assets remain limiting fac- first unit is expected to launch in 2012. struction. The first submarine of the class tors for long-range deployments. The United Kingdom’s Royal Navy was reportedly undergoing sea trials by Sweden plans for all five of its long- escaped a recent budget review with only the end of 2009, but continued failures of delayed Visby-class guided-missile pa- minor cuts as the war in Afghanistan con- the associated Bulava submarine-launched trol combatants to be fully operational tinues to squeeze British defense coffers. In ballistic missile have left the entire Borey by 2014, with the first unit reaching this December 2009 the Ministry of Defence an- submarine program in jeopardy. milestone early in 2010. Five Landsort- nounced that two ships, the Sandown-class In August 2009 the Vorovskiy, a Krivak- class coastal mine-countermeasures ves- minehunter HMS Walney and the coastal III-class frigate, became the first Russian sels are undergoing modernization to in- survey ship HMS Roebuck, would be with- Border Guard vessel to pay a visit to the clude new combat and air-defense system drawn from service and retired early. www.usni.org PROCEEDINGS • 51 Bahrain hopes to purchase three new frigates in the near future, one of which is intended to replace Sabha, pictured here.

Other defense cuts impacting British maritime forces include early-2010 retirement for the Royal Air Force’s Nimrod MR.2 patrol aircraft. The service entry date for the follow-on Nimrod MRA.4 has been shifted forward to 2012, and the RAF’s V/STOL Harrier force will be reduced by at least one squadron. In 2009 the Type 42 destroyers HMS NAVY U.S. Exeter and Southampton were retired with Scotland, in November 2009. Three addi- upgrades while the navy has purchased sister Nottingham following soon after. tional units of the class are under construc- more modern Project 636 Kilo variants HMS Dauntless, the navy’s second Type tion, including sisters Ambush and Artful, for delivery by 2012. France is building 45 guided-missile destroyer, was delivered expected to enter service in 2011 and 2012, 21 90-ton patrol boats for Algeria with in December 2009, and she joins older sis- respectively, and HMS Audacious, which deliveries to conclude by 2012. ter Daring, which commissioned in July. was laid down in 2009 and is expected in Bahrain hopes to purchase three new Unfortunately, the Sea Viper (PAAMS) service by 2013. Three additional units frigates in the near future, one of which air-defense armament system fitted to the are also planned. HMS Trafalgar, the first is intended replace Sabha (ex-USS Jack warships is unlikely to reach full opera- submarine of her class, was also the first Williams [FFG-24]), a U.S. Oliver Haz- tional capability before 2014. All six of to be decommissioned this past December. ard Perry–class frigate originally commis- the Daring-class destroyers are due to be A number of her sisters will remain in ser- sioned in 1981 and transferred to Bahrain in service by 2013. The Military Afloat vice for years to come, with HMS Triumph in 1996. Reach and Sustainability (MARS) tanker remaining active until 2022. Egypt is to receive the first of four program was canceled early in 2009 but During a London speech in March heavily armed guided-missile patrol craft survives amid calls for an assortment of 2009, British Prime Minister Gordon from the United States between 2012 and logistics- and fleet-support ships to enter Brown unveiled some details about the 2013. The 63-meter fast-attack craft are service around 2016. A common hull de- United Kingdom’s next nuclear-powered being built by VT Halter Marine in Pasca- sign is planned for the next generation of ballistic-missile submarine design. He ex- goula, Mississippi, and will be armed with mine-countermeasures and hydrographic- plained that the Royal Navy’s new genera- Harpoon antiship missiles, Rolling Air- research ships beginning around 2020. tion of SSBN to replace the current Van- frame Missiles for air defense, a 76-mm The Royal Navy’s highest-visibility proj- guard class would be fitted to carry only gun, and a 20-mm Phalanx close-in weap- ects, including the Queen Elizabeth–class 12 missile tubes for submarine-launched ons system. In 2009 Egypt also received aircraft carriers, have survived the budget ballistic missiles, four fewer than the 16 four 22-meter tugboats, built in Nether- axe for the time being, though additional in today’s boats. During the same speech, lands to the Stan Tug 2208 design. military reductions can be expected in the Brown also stated that there are currently Iran has made renewed efforts to flex future. The carrier program has run into fewer than 160 warheads making up the its maritime might as it works to establish some new cost and time hurdles as ser- British nuclear-deterrent force. new naval bases while conduct- vice entry for 65,000-ton (full load) HMS ing at-sea exercises. In July Queen Elizabeth has been postponed two Middle East/Africa a number of foreign news years until 2016, with HMS Prince of Algeria is looking to outlets reported that Russia Wales expected to follow by 2018. This build new frigates and the and Iran were conducting delay will likely cost the government £1.1 navy appears to have set- their first joint naval exer- billion and bring the total price tag for the tled on the Italian FREMM cises in the Caspian Sea, two carriers to roughly £5 billion. Among design. Deliveries of up to involving the cooperation the current generation of Invincible-class six ships can be expected to of some 30 ships and two carriers, Ark Royal completed a seven- begin around 2011. Two of Al- helicopters. The exercises were month refit in 2009 and has been desig- geria’s Koni-class frigates will com- purportedly designed to improve nated to replace Illustrious as the navy’s plete overhaul and return to service during transportation security and environmen- high-readiness strike carrier. 2010, and a third unit of the Nanuchka- tal protection in the region. That same HMS Astute, the lead ship of Britain’s II guided-missile patrol craft also is ex- month, Iran announced plans to build new new nuclear-powered attack submarines, pected back in service by the end of the naval facilities in the southern portion of departed the BAE Systems shipyard in year, following modernizations in Russia. the country, bordering the Gulf of Oman. Barrow, Cumbria, and arrived at her per- Two of Algeria’s Project 877EM Kilo- The city of Jask was specifically men- manent homeport in Faslane on the Clyde, class submarines are currently undergoing tioned as a location that will see increased

52 • March 2010 www.usni.org base construction, including the creation is designed to help detect and deter ter- donesian Diponegoro class and are being of a special jetty for speedboats. Two out rorist activity in the Mediterranean Sea. built in the Netherlands. At least one new of three Iranian Kilo-class submarines are In previous years an Israeli naval liaison frigate built to the Franco-Italian FREMM said to be operational at any one time, and officer has been assigned to NATO’s Al- design has been ordered by Morocco, with the Jamaran, the newest member of Iran’s lied Maritime Component Command in delivery planned by 2013. Mowj corvette program, entered service in Naples, Italy. With the decision to contrib- Nigeria continues to face challenges early 2010. Iran also sent the Saam (Vosper ute an Israeli warship to the operation, Is- as it works to protect its vulnerable oil- Mk 5)–class frigate Alborz, along with rael and NATO seem to be signaling their production process. Oil theft is said to other naval ships, to the Gulf of Aden to mutual desire to maintain and improve account for losses of around $1.2 billion protect Iranian maritime interests there. future cooperation in the Mediterranean. to the nation’s income, and battles with The Fatah, flagship of Iraq’s grow- In mid-2009 an Israeli submarine passed militia in the delta region have reportedly ing navy, arrived at her new homeport of through the Suez Canal for the first time, caused a 25-percent loss of petroleum Umm Qasr on 21 June 2009. The vessel largely as a show of strength in the face of production during the past three years. In is the first of four patrol boats manufac- Iranian saber-rattling. Israel has ordered an effort to improve stability and defend tured by Fincantieri shipyard in La Spe- two new Dolphin Type 800 submarines, the region, Nigeria recently commissioned zia, Italy, for the Iraqi maritime force. currently under construction and due for two 38.5-meter patrol craft and acquired Built to a modified Ubaldo Diciotti–class delivery by 2012. The new boats will two new Agusta helicopters for service in design, the Fatah (meaning “conquer” or join three older submarines of the class the Gulf of Guinea. Acquisition of addi- “victory”) is 53.4 meters long and carries already in service. tional patrol boats and helicopters is likely a crew of 34. In January 2009 Iraqi crew- Libya recently established a coast in the near future. members arrived in Italy to begin training guard and has received six 31-meter Oman has purchased three 98.5-meter on board the vessel. Three additional units PV30-LS patrol boats from Croatia. The 2,500-ton Khareef-class corvettes; the ships are being built in Portsmouth, UK. The first unit of the class was launched in July 2009 and deliveries are set to begin by the end of 2010. Oman has also expressed interest in purchasing 62-meter troop trans- ports from the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia remains interested in purchasing Franco-Italian FREMM-class frigates and hopes to replace its fleet of fast- attack craft with new locally built coastal security vessels, budgets permitting. The Republic of Seychelles began to play an ever-increasing role in anti-piracy operations in 2009, and the nation’s coast guard has been particularly active. The LEO VAN LEO GINDEREN VAN In mid-2009 an Israeli Dolphin-class submarine passed through the Suez Canal for the first time, U.S. Navy began basing MQ-9 Reaper largely as a show of strength in the face of Iranian saber-rattling. unmanned aerial vehicles on the island chain last year, and Seychelles has agreed of the class will have arrived in Iraq by service is now looking to purchase either to host occasional P-3C Orion maritime the end of 2010. The Iraqi Navy is also larger offshore patrol craft with helicopter patrol aircraft deployments. due to receive two new offshore support facilities or modified PV30-LS units. In Somalia has turned into the interna- vessels built in the United States. spring 2009 the U.S. Coast Guard cut- tional hub of maritime piracy in recent Israel has decided against purchasing ter Boutwell (WHEC-719) paid a visit to years; the attempted hijacking of the mer- a modified variant of the littoral combat Libya, becoming the first U.S. military chant ship Maersk Alabama and the U.S. ship and is instead looking elsewhere for ship to visit the country in four decades. Navy’s dramatic at-sea rescue of Captain a similar-sized corvette, with Germany’s Croatia has upgraded a number of Libyan Richard Phillips illuminated the problem MEKO A-100 design remaining a strong warships, including the tank-landing ships to a worldwide audience. As an unprece- contender. In a move that may signal a Ibn Oaf and Ibn Harissa as well as the dented international naval armada sails to- more active role for Israeli military forces Combattante II-class guided-missile patrol gether in the Gulf of Aden to stem the tide in future NATO maritime operations, Isra- ship Laheeb. Early in 2009 Libya ordered of piracy, Somalia’s unstable government el’s government in August 2009 approved three Molniya (Type 12418) guided-mis- urges help in its battle against insurgents. the participation of an Israeli warship in sile patrol craft from Russia. The European Union has begun training NATO’s Operation Active Endeavor. The Morocco plans to have three new some 2,000 Somali security forces and the operation, which evolved from NATO’s SIGMA-class corvettes in service by Somali government is working to establish immediate response to the 9/11 attacks, 2012. The ships are similar to the In- a 500-person coast guard. Unfortunately, www.usni.org PROCEEDINGS • 53 navies cannot solve this problem alone. Baynunah-class corvettes with the first helicopters will serve as replacements Somali piracy is unlikely to be eradicated unit being built in France for 2010 de- for those lost during a 2007 fire aboard without order and stability being first livery. The UAE has also ordered the Antarctic support ship Alm- brought to the lawless nation. a 1,500-ton 88-meter patrol irante Irizar. Ten of Ar- South Africa’s navy has placed an em- ship from Italy. The vessel gentina’s Super Étendard phasis on naval support and engineering is being built to a modified fighter-bombers will be upgrades in recent years as the government NUMC Program/Coman- upgraded and modernized debates increasing the defense budget to dante Cigala Fulgosi de- in France during the near help meet new requirements—including sign for delivery in 2011. future. Argentina’s retired an offshore-patrol vessel program and Abu Dhabi Ship Building Type 209/1200-class sub- support-vessel procurement. The South Af- is under contract to supply marine San Luis, long used rican government has been highly reluctant nine of 12 modified Ghannatha as a source for spare parts, is to get involved in anti-piracy activities off (Trossbåt)–class landing craft that also being considered for modern- the coast of Somalia despite international have been ordered with a lengthened hull ization and future reactivation. requests for assistance. The South African and the capability to launch Marte Mk-2 Brazil is to acquire four new Scor- Navy, however, remains ready to assist if antiship missiles. Those units already in pène-class submarines under a 2008 tasked to do so. The first-ever naval exer- service will be upgraded with additional deal, and its first nuclear-powered attack cises between one of South Africa’s Type armament. The UAE’s Critical National submarine is being built with French as- 209/1400 submarines and a U.S. Navy at- Infrastructure Authority also has placed a sistance (except for the vessel’s domesti- tack submarine took place during 2009. large order for 34 16-meter patrol boats. cally produced nuclear reactor). The new Syria plans to expand its coastal de- The first 12 boats are being built in Tur- SSN is expected to enter service in 2021. fense capabilities by purchasing the SSC-5 key and the remaining units constructed In the meantime, Brazil is working to antiship missile, a land-launched version domestically. build a new submarine base at Sepetiba of the SS-N-26 antiship missile. Syria also Yemen has ordered two 87-foot Protec- Bay in Itaguai. With requirements to pro- is working to upgrade its three Tir (IPS tor-class coastal patrol boats for its coast tect large offshore oil and gas reserves, 18)–class patrol boats that were acquired guard. The ships are being built at Bol- the Brazilian Navy plans to acquire five in 2006 and hopes to fit the vessels with linger Shipyards in Lockport, Louisiana, 1,800-ton offshore patrol vessels and Iranian copies of the Chinese C-802 anti- and are due for delivery in 2011. as many as 27 500-ton NAPA 500-type ship missile. Plans are underway to refit patrol boats that are beginning to enter two Ka-28 helicopters and to modernize Americas service in 2010. the Syrian naval base at Tartus with co-  Argentina has been forced to halt As Canada looks to the north it is operation from Russia. work at least temporarily on its offshore- working to expand its Arctic capabilities The United Arab Emirates has a patrol vessel project due to budget cuts. and a force of six to eight Arctic-capable number of naval projects in the works at The Argentine Navy received its second offshore patrol vessels are required for Abu Dhabi Ship Building. The company batch of retired U.S. Navy Sea King the future. During much of 2009 the fleet is building five of the UAE’s six new helicopters in mid-2009. Some of the awaited government shipbuilding guid- U.S. NAVY U.S. Ten of Argentina’s Super Étendard fighter-bombers are to be upgraded and modernized in France during the near future.

54 • March 2010 www.usni.org ance prior to moving forward on the next stage of the effort. Hopes remain high to keep the Joint Support Ship program alive and affordable following previous financial setbacks. During 2009 officials examined new ship designs to ensure a workable compromise between both the Ministry of Defence and Canadian shipyards. The navy’s Victoria-class submarine program appears to have turned a corner and current plans call for HMCS Corner Brook to enter its extended docking period in 2011 while sisters Victoria and Windsor are to complete their docking periods and return to the fleet by late 2010 and early 2011 respectively. Chi- coutimi, which suffered a deadly 2004 U.S. NAVY U.S. onboard fire, is scheduled to re-enter The Canadian submarine HMCS Corner Brook will begin an extended docking period in 2011. service in 2012. Sisters Victoria and Windsor are to return to the fleet by late 2010 and early 2011 respectively, Chile’s offshore-patrol vessel program while Chicoutimi is scheduled to re-enter service in 2012. appears successful as the second of two 80-meter Piloto Pardo–class vessels en- two modified units are currently under of the ex-Terrebonne Parish–class LSTs tered service in 2009 with a second pair construction for delivery later this year. transferred in the mid-1980s. scheduled for service in 2013. A retired Meanwhile, there has been much de- Trinidad and Tobago’s three new off- U.S. Navy Henry J. Kaiser–class replen- bate concerning agreements made with shore patrol boats are being built in the ishment oiler is transferring to Chile in the United States permitting wider use United Kingdom. The first unit is named early 2010. New C-295 maritime patrol of Colombian military facilities, includ- Port of Spain and is due to enter coast aircraft have been ordered to replace ing naval bases at Cartagena and Bahia guard service in 2010. Chile’s aging P-3 Orion and EMB-111 Malaga, to combat drug trafficking and In April 2009 the United States decided fleet of aircraft. At least some of the guerrilla forces. to limit its purchase of Zumwalt-class new aircraft will be fitted with Harpoon  Mexico’s navy launched its fourth (DDG-1000) guided -missile destroyers antiship missiles, torpedoes, and advanced Oaxaca-class patrol ship in 2009 and to just three units, with the 14,500-ton electronics. plans call for two additional units to warships entering service between 2013 Two of Colombia’s new domestically enter service by 2013. Two new Strids- and 2015. Production of Arleigh Burke– produced helicopter-carrying 370-ton river båt 90H-class patrol boats, built do- class guided-missile destroyers was sub- patrol boats were delivered in 2009, and mestically under license from Sweden, sequently extended, and additional units also joined the fleet in are planned. The extension comes as the 2009. Mexico’s coast Obama administration moves ahead with guard continues to ex- ballistic-missile defense plans that place pand as it works to es- a heavy emphasis on the sea-based BMD tablish a net of 17 new capability fitted to an increasing number helicopter and lifeboat of Aegis warships. stations along the na- The U.S. Navy remains committed to a tion’s coastline. goal of building 55 littoral combat ships. Peru plans to ac- Amid major cost overruns, the first LCS, quire two retired U.S. the USS Freedom (LCS-1), was commis- Navy Newport-class sioned in November 2008, and the second tank landing ships, ex- ship, the USS Independence (LCS-2), en- Fresno (LST-1182) and tered service in January 2010. The ships ex-Racine (LST-1191), are based on two separate and competing to boost its amphibious models with the Navy set to down-select capabilities. The ships and move forward on a single design will be refurbished to some time in the future. The third and replace at least some fourth LCS units, to be named the USS

The Mexican Navy launched its fourth Oaxaca-class patrol ship in 2009.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEPARTMENT U.S. Current plans call for two additional units to enter service by 2013.

56 • March 2010 www.usni.org Fort Worth and USS Coronado, are due plan to purchase at least 10 commercially ment to Afghanistan, and there has been to enter service in 2012. based joint high-speed transport vessels discussion of producing an AEW version Construction continues on the Navy’s with deliveries beginning to the Army in of the V-22, which, when coupled with the Virginia-class submarines with the sixth 2011 and to the Navy in 2012. F-35B, could add a significant capabil- unit of the class, the USS New Mexico There have been many changes to the ity boost to the air wings on large-deck (SSN-779), due to commission into ser- U.S. naval aviation roster in 2009: The amphibious assault ships. Three hundred vice in March 2010. A total of 30 Virginia Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, the USS MH-60R helicopters are planned for ser- submarines are planned, and production George H. W. Bush (CVN-77), was com- vice, with 50 units having been delivered speed has increased significantly as ship- missioned in January, and the Navy’s last by early 2010. builders transition from the original Block remaining fossil-fueled carrier, the USS Looking ahead, the U.S. Navy recently I boats, built in ten modules, to Block II Kitty Hawk (CV-63), was formally de- established its new Fleet Cyber Com- and III units containing fewer modules. commissioned in May. Work continues mand, also known as the 10th Fleet. Cur- In mid-2009 the Advanced Seal Delivery on the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), rent plans call for the Navy to increase its investment in unmanned systems; $4 billion will be spent on unmanned aerial vehicles and $1 billion spent on unmanned surface and underwater vehicles through 2015. The first units of the U.S. Coast Guard’s aging 40-year-old Hamilton- class (WHEC-715) cutters are to begin retiring in the near future. The service received its second Legend- class National Security Cutter, the USCGC Waesche (WMSL-751), in November 2009. A third unit is planned for 2011 and up to five more National Security Cutters are to be

U.S. NAVY U.S. built. Thirty-four Sentinel-class Fast The U.S. Navy commissioned the USS New York (LPD-21) in November 2009. Forged into her bow are Response Cutters are to replace the 7.5 tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center towers. 110-foot Island-class patrol boats. The Sentinel class is based on the System program came to an inglorious first of the Navy’s next-generation air- Dutch Stan-patrol 4708 design, and deliv- end as leadership made the decision to cut craft carriers, with an expected commis- eries are set to begin in 2011. its losses and not repair the boat, follow- sioning date of 2015. The service’s final The first of Venezuela’s 99-meter ing a 2008 fire aboard the vessel. S-3 Viking aircraft were retired from op- 2,300-ton offshore patrol vessels are due The Navy commissioned it fifth San erational fleet service early in 2009, and for delivery in mid-2010 with three ad- Antonio-class dock landing ship, the USS the EA-18G Growler electronic counter- ditional units to follow by 2011. Four New York (LPD-21), in November 2009, measures aircraft was approved for car- smaller 80-meter 1,500-ton coastal patrol and the keel was laid on the class’s ninth rier operations and entered operational boats are all expected to be in service by unit, the USS Somerset (LPD-25), on 11 service. 2010 or 2011. The Sabalo, the first of December 2009. Also in 2009, the Navy Summer 2009 saw the rollout of the Venezuela’s Type 209/1300-class subma- received its eighth and final Wasp-class P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft rines, completed its five-year upgrade in amphibious assault ship, the USS Makin and the F-35C Lightning II, a carrier- Germany in 2009. The submarine’s mod- Island (LHD-8). The ship is unique among based version of the Joint Strike Fighter. ernization, which included new engineer- its sisters and includes significant engi- The P-8A will replace the long-serving ing, mast, snorkel, and computer systems, neering and technological improvements, P-3C Orion beginning around 2013, and has reportedly led to a reduction in the not the least of which is the addition of the F-35C (along with the F-35B short- vessel’s acoustic signature. Venezuela’s a gas-turbine propulsion system in place takeoff and vertical-landing variant) will planned acquisition of six Kilo-class sub- of geared steam turbines. The next gen- become the Navy’s first stealth fighter marines has been called off, with the class eration of amphibious assault ships will when it reaches the Fleet in 2015. The instead being completed for Vietnam. be the America class, and the first of the last E-2C Hawkeye 2000 airborne early- 45,000-ton amphibious ships is planned warning (AEW) and control aircraft was for delivery in 2012. The USS America delivered to the U.S. Navy in September Mr. Wertheim, a defense consultant in the Washing- (LHA-6) will not have a floodable well 2009, and the next-generation E-2D be- ton, D.C., area, is the author of The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, 15th Edition, deck, but will instead have expanded avia- gins entering service in 2012. The past currently available from the Naval Institute Press at tion facilities. The Army and Navy also year saw the first V-22 Osprey deploy- www.usni.org.

58 • March 2010 www.usni.org