India – Defence ministry sits on Navy request for six submarines

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The navy is still awaiting defence ministry’s  approval for inviting bids for the new line of six submarines despite  indications that all the stumbling blocks in the way of the crucial project have  been cleared.

Navy chief admiral DK Joshi had even  announced in December last year that the request for proposal (RFP) for the  submarines were on the way “very soon”.

Sources said the ground work has been  completed by the navy, and it has sent the proposal to the defence ministry for  final approval.

The first submarine is expected to be ready in mid-2015 and the last in 2018The first submarine is expected to be ready in mid-2015  and the last in 2018

The project, named 75-India, is crucial to  augment navy’s under water capabilities which has taken a hit because of delays  in finding replacement for the existing fleet of ageing German and Russian  submarines.

It was expected that the RFP would now be  issued only in the next financial year beginning next month.

The navy had shown sense of urgency in  getting necessary approvals as the massive projects needs to get underway  without further delays.

The navy is looking to have Air Independent  Propulsion (AIP) system in the new line of submarines, which will provide the  capability to sustain under water longer decreasing the possibilities of  detection.

The AIP systems have become crucial feature  of conventional diesel electric submarines but at the moment, Indian fleet lacks  the capability.

Even the under construction French Scorpene  submarines would not have this feature.

The modalities for the construction of the  new line were debated upon.

It was felt that two submarines should be  purchased directly from a foreign vendor while the two would be constructed at  Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Vishakhapatnam and the remaining at Mazgaon  Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.

It was argued that the HSL had no experience  of building submarines while MDL has the capability because of the ongoing  construction of French Scorpene submarines in the shipyard.

The distribution of work among the shipyards  for the new line has been the biggest point of contention so far.

Navy chief’s announcement about the RFP being  floated very soon had indicated that issue had been sorted out.

Source – Mail online India

Brazil launches nuclear submarine building program

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Brazil launches nuclear submarine building program

In an attempt to bolster national defense and spur the domestic arms industry, Brazil launched a program to build a submarine powered by a nuclear reactor developed entirely by Brazil.

Brazil advanced on Friday toward its target of joining the small club of nations that have nuclear-powered submarines with the opening of a naval shipyard installation that will build French-designed submarines.

President Dilma Rousseff inaugurated the factory that will make metal hull structures for four conventional diesel-electric Scorpene attack submarines and eventually a fifth submarine powered by a nuclear reactor developed entirely by Brazil. She said Brazil, one of the BRICS group of leading emerging nations and Latin America’s largest nation, was a peaceful country but a defense industry was needed to deter and prevent violent conflict. “This facility allows our country to affirm itself on the world stage and, above all, develop in an independent sovereign way,” Rousseff said.

The submarines will be made by French shipbuilder DCNS in a joint venture with Brazil’s Odebrecht at the Brazilian Navy base on Sepetiba Bay south of Rio de Janeiro. The 7.8 billion reais ($3.95 billion) program will turn out the first conventional submarine in 2015 and the nuclear-powered submarine will be commissioned in 2023 and enter operation in 2025, the Brazilian Navy said in a statement.

The submarines are a key part of Brazil’s effort to build a modern navy that can defend its oil and trade interests in the South Atlantic, a region long dominated by the British and U.S. navies. It is also a revival of nuclear development by the Brazilian military that was halted in 1990 with the end of the country’s nuclear bomb program. If successful, Brazil will join the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China – the five members of the permanent U.N. Security Council, a club Brazil aspires to join – as a country with a home-grown nuclear submarine capability.

The Indian Navy has a nuclear-powered attack submarine, the INS Chakra, that was leased from Russia, and India is building a nuclear submarine with its own technology that is expected to be in service by 2015.

BEEFING UP DEFENSES

The commander of the Brazilian Navy, Admiral Julio Soares de Moura Neto, said the purpose of building a nuclear-powered submarine was “deterrence” and stressed that the nuclear propulsion system will be built with entirely home-grown technology that was not transferred by France. The Brazilian-French submarine program was agreed to in 2008 by Presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Nicolas Sarkozy and is Brazil’s most costly military project. “Brazil needs to modernize its national defenses because we have not invested in this for years,” said congressman Leonardo Gadelha, of the Social Christian Party, a member of the lower chamber’s International Relations and Defense Committee.

The Brazilian Air Force is seeking to renew its fleet with the purchase of 36 fighter jets, a coveted defense contract worth $4 billion initially. Boeing Co., France’s Dassault Aviation SA and Sweden’s Saab are in the running for the deal. Brazil is also boosting its air defenses, with an eye to dispelling the risk of terrorist attacks when hundreds of thousands of foreign tourists visit the country for the 2014 soccer World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

Brasilia recently announced plans to buy anti-aircraft batteries and mid-range surface-to-air missiles from Russia, and drones from Israel that will be used to patrol its long frontiers. It eventually plans to build the weapons locally. The Brazilian government has insisted on a maximum transfer of technology in such military deals to build up its emerging private defense industry that has become a major arms exporter. “Brazil has fully understood that national defense cannot be delegated to others and a country must have an autonomous capacity” that does not depend on foreign technology, Defense Minister Celso Amorim said at the naval base event. On Wednesday, the defense unit of Brazilian planemaker Embraer SA won its first-ever U.S. military contract for the sale of 20 Super Tucano light attack planes for use in counterinsurgency in Afghanistan

Source – World bulletin

Conventional (AIP) Submarine – a Weapon of Choice for the 21st Century, Says Frost & Sullivan

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Example - Russian AMUR-1650 CONVENTIONAL SUBMARINE

Example – Russian AMUR-1650 CONVENTIONAL SUBMARINE

Demand for conventional submarines, mainly with AIP on board, set to grow despite defence budget cuts

The modern non-nuclear, conventional diesel-electric submarine (SSK) with air-independent propulsion systems (AIP) is a complex, multi-role and extremely powerful weapon system. The submarine is able to deploy a wide range of weapons and conducting various missions ranging from anti-submarine, anti-surface vessels warfare to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

According to Frost & Sullivan, despite the implementation of austerity measures and defence budget reductions in many countries, the demand for conventional submarines, mainly with AIP on board, will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.8 per cent globally during 2013–2022 and present revenue opportunities of up to USD 34.80 billion.

“The naval operations environment has changed significantly; operations at sea have moved from the ‘blue water’ open ocean to the ‘brown water’ shallow costal environment,” noted Frost & Sullivan Aerospace, Defence & Security Industry Analyst, Dominik Kimla. “The importance of smaller and quieter conventional submarines, rather than larger, nuclear-powered, has increased significantly.”

However, the submerge endurance of AIP SSK cannot as yet be compared with that of nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN). Nevertheless, AIP technology is evolving rapidly with more reliable and powerful AIP solutions expected within a decade. The AIP system is seen as a must-have capability for newly procured SSKs. Moreover, the through-life cost of SSK AIP, in comparison to SSN, is three to four times lower, not to mention the high cost related to the deactivation of SSN.

Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Europe appear to be the two most attractive markets at present. Frost & Sullivan forecasts that the SSK market in APAC will grow at a CAGR of 2.1 per cent and account for 47.2 per cent of the global demand for conventional submarines (2013-2022). “APAC countries are in the process of expanding their underwater capabilities with stealthy SSK,” added Mr. Kimla. “All major Navies in the region are implementing submarine programmes.”

Europe, with a CAGR of 1.5 per cent and a 22.4 per cent global market share, will retain its status as the second largest SSK market over the forecast period. The most prominent ongoing SSK projects are underway in Germany and Italy (type-212), Greece and Turkey (type-214) and Spain (S-80). Additionally, Sweden has been developing its new submarine – A26 project, Norway is looking to replace its Ula class SSK while Poland wants to enter two modern AIP submarines into service by 2022.

“Navies are increasingly looking at modern SSK due to its multi-role capacities and semi-strategic potential. Consequently, modern conventional submarines present significant market opportunities for the submarine sector to sell new boats as well as to retrofit standard SSK with AIP plug in section,” summarised Mr. Kimla. “The Pacific region has experienced the most heavy sea-lane traffic in the world, which needs to be constantly secured. It therefore offers considerable business growth prospects for submarine solutions providers.”

If you would like to learn more about the modern submarine market and/or obtain a Market Insight on the conventional (AIP) submarine market, please contact Joanna Lewandowska, Corporate Communications, at joanna.lewandowska@frost.com. Please include your full contact details in the query. The Market Insight is also available on Slide Share.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today’s market participants.

Source – PR Newswire

Barrow built submarine due to be commissioned into Royal Navy today

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HMS Ambush off Rhu spit near Faslane

BARROW-built Ambush is due to officially join the Royal Navy today.

A commissioning ceremony will take place at Faslane naval base on the Clyde where the 7,400-tonne sub will officially become “Her Majesty’s Ship”, or HMS Ambush. The second Astute-class attack submarine was launched in January 2011 at BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. The nuclear-powered submarine arrived at her home port of HM Naval Base Clyde in September last year where she has undergone extensive sea trials. Ambush is 97 metres-long and holds around 100 personnel. She travels at a speed of up to 30 knots.

Source – North West Evening mail

Bangladesh Navy to get 2 submarines

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government had moved to purchase two submarines and a coast guard cutter for Bangladesh Navy to modernise and strengthen the force.

“Activities are going on to purchase two submarines from a friendly country,” she told parliament while replying to a lawmaker’s scripted query on her government’s efforts to modernise the navy, army and air force.

Hasina, however, did not mention the name of the country friendly to Bangladesh and the timeframe for completing the purchase.

The coast guard cutter will be purchased from the USA, she said.

According to a report prepared by the navy in early 2009, the force has planned to introduce an aviation wing and a submarine to its fleet to obtain capability of a three-dimensional force.

The force has already taken steps to build infrastructure and train up its personnel, said the report sent to the armed forces division, a wing under the prime minister’s office.

In her scripted answer, the premier said her government has already purchased missile, torpedo for destroying ship and submarine, depth charge, rocket launcher, canon, radar and other weapons for the navy.

Earlier on June 13 last year, Planning Minister AK Khandker, who is in charge of the defence ministry in the parliamentary affairs, told parliament that the government has moved to purchase two off-the-shelf [readymade] frigates, two large patrol crafts, two maritime patrol aircrafts and five patrol crafts for the navy.

In scripted answer to the query, the premier also described her government’s various measures to modernise and strengthen the army and air force.

She said two new army commands and an infantry division, two air defence brigades, more than one armoured, artillery and engineering battalions and other necessary supportive units will be added to the army to strengthen the force as part of implementation of the forces goal-2030.

The forces goal will be implemented in four phases in light of the defence policy formulated by the then Bangabandhu-led government in 1974, Hasina told the House.

Besides, she said, the government has moved to purchase fourth generation MBT-2000 tanks, multi-launcher rocket system, weapon locating radar, automatic grenade launcher, anti-tank weapon, non-guided anti-tank weapon, anti-tank guided missiles etc for the army.

“The activities will begin this financial year to buy multiple rocket launch system, weapon locating radar, ground surveillance radar and aircrafts carrying soldiers,” said Hasina, who also holds the defence portfolio.

She also mentioned that a process was underway to purchase modern euro-copter, light fixed-wing aircraft and armoured and anti-air weapons for the army.

“As part of expansion of the army and its modernisation, efforts are under way to establish an air defence regiment,” she added.

To modernise the air force under the forces goal-2030, she said her government has moved to buy air defence radar, fighter planes, air-to-air missiles, etc.

Hasina also informed the House about some other defence purchases already done for the armed forces.

Source – The Daily Star

Thales sonar for new British submarines

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Thales UK is to supply its Sonar 2076 fully integrated search-and-attack  submarine sonar system to BAE Systems for use on new British vessels.

The submarines, the sixth and seventh Astute class vessels of the British  navy, are being built by BAE Systems Maritime-Submarines in Cumbria.

“Thales is proud to be supplying Sonar 2076 for all seven Astute class  submarines,” said Phil Naybour, head of Thales UK’s naval business.

“This successful program reflects the skill and dedication of our teams …  and also the close support and cooperation we have received from BAE Systems and  the Ministry of Defense.”

The sonar system to be supplied will include both inboard and outboard bow,  fin, intercept and flank arrays and inboard processing equipment.

“BAE Systems is pleased to award Thales UK these important contracts for the  sonar systems for the sixth and seventh Astute class submarines,” said Ian  Hawkes, head of Combat Systems, BAE Systems Maritime-Submarines.

“Placing these contracts not only continues a well-established and enduring  relationship with Thales UK, it also helps the submarine enterprise to meet the  submarine program affordability challenge by obtaining economy of scale through  batch procuring the sonar.”

Thales said its involvement with the Astute class building program is not  limited to sonar gear. It also supplies two non-hull penetrating CM010 optronic  masts, electronic support systems and communications and emergency buoys.

Source – UPI.com

A Part III’s Deck of Cards

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BRITISH SUBMARINE DEPTH CHARGERS PLAYING CARDS

A diesel boat came back from patrol and the pipe was made “All Part III books to the Wardroom. So all the Part III’s mustered at the wardroom except for one junior rating who had a pack of cards. The First Lieutenant said to him “Where is your Part III book?

The boy replied “Sir, I lost my Part III book down Q Recess and so I use this Deck of Cards instead.”

The First Lieutenant replied “Because of this, I am putting you on Captain’s report.

The rating was taken in front of the Captain said to him, “If you do not have a good reason, I will punish you as no other rating has ever been punished.”

The rating began laying out the deck of cards.

When I see the Ace, it tells me that there is but one Main Line.

When I see the Two, it reminds me of the planes – Fwd and Aft.

When I see the Three, it reminds of the three watch system – Red, White & Blue.

When I see the Four, it reminds me of the four types of torpedo – Mk8, 20, 23 & 24.

When I see the Five, it reminds me of the five compartments – Forends,  Accom. Space,  Control Room, Engine Room & After ends.

..and when I see the Six, it reminds me of the Six Valve Chest.

Sir, when I see the Seven, it reminds me of the number of masts – Fwd Periscope, After Periscope, Radar, ECM, Snort Induction, WT and Snort Exhaust.

When I see the Eight, it reminds me of the eight torpedo tubes – 6 Fwd & 2 aft.

When I see the Nine, it reminds me of the punishment I will get for losing my Part III book.

When I see the Ten, it reminds me of the number of months we have run from Faslane when being an SM1 boat.

When I see the Jack, it reminds me of all the jacky bastards living in the Fwd Mess.

When I see the Queen it reminds of me of Polaris Submarines and all the queens that man them.

When I see the King, it reminds me of you sir – the Captain.

There are two Jokers in the pack – the number of times I have been home this year.

There are Four suits, one for each mess – Fwd, Aft, Senior Rates and that other one.

There are Twelve picture cards, one each for the number of killicks that seem to be on my back at any one time.

There are Thirteen tricks, one each for the number of killicks that are on my back at any one time.

There are Fifty Two cards, one for each of the sailors that the Jimmy thinks are onboard.

There are Three Hundred & Sixty Five Spots, the number of days we turn to in a year.

And so you see Sir, my deck of cards serves me as a Part III Book, SMP6, Watch & Station Bill and Leave Record.

You see folks, this story is true – I was that Part III.

N.B. I was awarded 10 days nines, 30 Days stoppage of leave, 30 days stoppage of Submarine Pay and picked up for a haicut on the way out.

Source – Diesel Boats UK on Facebook

US – Sequestration Could Jeopardize Two Contracts For EB, Second Submarine

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‘This is a very serious impasse that could really put a cloud over EB’s projected hiring,’ Congressman Joe Courtney says. But he adds that Congress still has time to fix the impasse.

Welding on the hull of the Mississippi in Building 260, Groton. Credit Electric Boat photography department

Welding on the hull of the Mississippi in Building 260, Groton. Credit Electric Boat photography department

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney said the federal cuts slated to go into effect under sequestration would affect shipyards across the country, including Electric Boat in Groton.

Sequestration – or $1.2 trillion in cuts – are slated to go into effect March 1. Half the cuts would come from the defense industry.

Electric Boat has two contracts with the Navy – one a $94 million contract to repair the USS Miami, the Groton-built nuclear submarine that caught fire at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard May 23; and the second a $34.9 million contract to work on the USS Providence, which was scheduled to come into Groton later this year.

Both could be suspended if sequestration occurs.

“This is a very serious impasse that could really put a cloud over EB’s projected hiring,” Courney said, referring to the optimistic picture painted by the company during a legislative breakfast in January.

“But Congress still has time to fix the impasse and allow the great work that people do there to go forward. The leadership of the Navy, over and over again, repeated their desire to have this work move forward in Groton. But their hands are tired until Congress and the White House come to an agreement,” he said.

According to the Electric Boat website, repairs to the USS Miami would involve 300 EB employees.

Electric Boat has declined comment on the potential impacts.

“The Department of Defense has not informed us how it intends to implement sequestration, if it occurs. Consequently, any response on our part would be speculative,” Spokesman Dan Barrett said in an e-mail.

Courtney said that in addition to the repair contracts that could be placed on hold, Congress last year got a defense bill through that provided funding for a second submarine to be built in 2014. But he said Congress does not have a budget bill passed to go with that defense bill, The current spending bill ends March 27.

Admiral Jonathan Greenert, who testified last week before the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, said that if the Navy did not get a spending bill to match the defense bill, the second submarine would be at risk.

Electric Boat is meanwhile proceeding with the Ohio replacement program, which deals with a different class of submarines. As of Monday, the company was still hiring engineers and other positions.

“There’s still time to stop the madness here, and that’s true,” Courtney said. “It’s not like the law takes away the money irrevocably in one day.” He said sequestration was designed to be completely unacceptable but cutting indiscriminately across all areas, thereby forcing a compromise.

“And hopefully,” he said, “as in the past with sequestration, cooler heads will prevail.”

Source – Groton Patch

 

Falklands dispute: Argentina accuses UK of ‘defiance’ of anti-nuke treaty

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A sign at the Argentine-Brazilian border, translated into English, proclaims "The Malvinas are Argentine"

A sign at the Argentine-Brazilian border, translated into English, proclaims “The Malvinas are Argentine”

Argentina has lashed out at the UK for allegedly violating an international treaty and sending submarines with nuclear weapons capacity to the Falkland Islands- a nuclear-free zone.

“We currently are in an unstable stage of the implementation of the Tlatelolco treaty, which bans nuclear arms in Latin America and the Caribbean. [The Treaty] is being defied by the United Kingdom,” MercoPress quoted Eduardo Zuain, Argentina’s Foreign Relations secretary, as saying prior to the Disarming Conference at the UN.

Zuain also blamed London for a strong military presence in the Atlantic,“including submarines with the capacity to transport nuclear armory to a nuclear-free area,” alleging they were dispatched to the area 30 years ago during the conflict between Buenos Aeros and London.

“This is why Argentina in several opportunities has expressed its concern, before different international forums over the possibility that the UK could have introduced nuclear weapons to the South Atlantic,” Argentina’s representative said in Geneva.

Zuain pointed out that Falklands constitute one of the world’s most militarized territories with more than 1,500 British soldiers and 3,000 citizens.

The diplomat went onto argue that such a military presence also threatens other countries in the region.

“We deplore that the UK government so far has not provided requested clarifications on the incidents reported, nor has it given any information which could corroborate or deny recent displacements of nuclear submarines with the capacity to carry atomic weapons,” Zuain stated.

The 1969 Treaty of Tlatelolco banned nuclear arms in Latin America and the Caribbean and established a nuclear-free zone.

Conflict over the archipelago in the south-western Atlantic Ocean has been simmering since 1982 when the two countries fought a war that the British won. In 2010, a British company began oil exploration near the archipelago, which has led to an exacerbation of the conflict.

Recently, the President of Argentina Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner sent a letter to the British Prime Minister David Cameron calling to negotiate the return of the archipelago to Buenos Aires. The British prime minister replied that the population of the islands support the UK’s sovereignty, which he stipulates would be confirmed by a public referendum in March.

Source – RT Question More

San Diego submarine dives into Hollywood – Video clip

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San Diego Submarine

Click on picture above for video clip

SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) – This Friday the movie “Phantom” opens in theaters across the country (USA).

The Cold War-era movie was shot entirely in San Diego using a real-life Russian submarine.

In this News 8 video story, Jeff Zevely met the movie’s writer and director onboard the Soviet B-39 sub.

Source – CBS8