Status of German K130 Corvettes

[JBodnar39]

I have read that the third of this type has been delivered. Anybody know if they are in service yet, or close to being in service? Any idea how many and what types of missle boats they will be replacing?

[Falstaff]

The "Braunschweig" (first of class) is conducting sea trials at the moment and will probably service early next year with her sisters following according to their delivery dates.

Official statements have not yet been made about when and how many Type 143A "Gepard" FACs will be phased out of service. The Marine says the K-130 doesn't replace the Gepard-Class but is an all new kind of vessel for the German navy.

[kato]

Official planning from last year puts two K130 (F260 Braunschweig and F261 Magdeburg) in service by the end of 2007. That presumably means December, so we'll see em in service 2008. ;)
Braunschweig and Magdeburg are both conducting sea trials. F262 Erfurt is being built, and should launch sometime this year. F263 Oldenburg and F264 Ludwigshafen are supposed to be laid down sometime this year. Planned full in-service time for all five units is sometime around 2009.
All 10 Type 143A "Gepard" will stay in service until at least 2011-2012. The current batch of five K130 are officially replacing the already decommissioned 10 Type 143 "Albatros".

[Falstaff]

All 10 Type 143A "Gepard" will stay in service until at least 2011-2012. The current batch of five K130 are officially replacing the already decommissioned 10 Type 143 "Albatros".

Where did you get that information? It's pretty much contrary to what I read and I never heard this before.

[Waylander]

And here a picture of the "Braunschweig". :)

[img=http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/2017/k130braunschweigbg8.th.jpg] (http://img292.imageshack.us/my.php?image=k130braunschweigbg8.jpg)

Nice little ship.

[kato]

Where did you get that information? It's pretty much contrary to what I read and I never heard this before.
that the Type 143A will stay in service? Bundeswehr Budget Plan 2007, from March 2006.
EDIT: dang, not allowed to post URLs before reaching 15 posts. The above plan was leaked to the press, and is available on geopowers [dot] com (in German).
Clearly states that all Type 143A stay in service well beyond the commissioning of the K130s. The Type 143 were decommissioned in the last 2-3 years, with 6 or so sold to Tunisia, and the other 4 kept as spare parts providers for the Type 143A.

[Falstaff]

Thanks for the link (at the moment I don't have the time to search it, however). My last information was that the Gepards will be in service until 2014 (2nd batch of K-130s?), but that remains very uncertain. The information policy of the Marine is as poor as ever :(

The current batch of five K130 are officially replacing the already decommissioned 10 Type 143 "Albatros".

I'm struggling a bit with this statement however. This may be correct from an organisational and financial point of view, but it is stated again and again that the K-130 is a whole new "Seekriegsmittel" for the Marine. So from an operational point of view I think it's not a replacement for the "Albatrros" FACs, but a whole new class of ships while another (outdated) is phased out. But perhaps I'm nitpicking now :)

As to the picture: I can't help it, I think the Braunschweig looks cute somehow, not like a mean fighting machine...

[Waylander]

1x 76mm
2x 27mm
1x RAM
4x RBS 15

This is mean enough for me. My only concerns are that they downgraded the electronic too much in order to save money and that the procurement of the planned drones is also not fixed.

[kato]

My last information was that the Gepards will be in service until 2014 (2nd batch of K-130s?), but that remains very uncertain.
Roughly what my information is too - 2nd batch of K130 or a different class to replace the Gepard. But before 2013, there definitely won't be any funding available for procuring these.


I'm struggling a bit with this statement however. This may be correct from an organisational and financial point of view, but it is stated again and again that the K-130 is a whole new "Seekriegsmittel" for the Marine. So from an operational point of view I think it's not a replacement for the "Albatrros" FACs, but a whole new class of ships while another (outdated) is phased out. But perhaps I'm nitpicking now :)
It's a "whole new thing" for the Marine since they have never operated ships of this size (not counting those British sloops used for training in the 50s and 60s).

Effectively, the K130 are a replacement to the FACs since:
- they have the same primary mission - patrol in the Baltic Sea, and perhaps patrol support in peacekeeping operation (though technically the F125 will do that in the long run).
- they still have the same ASuW-focused armament that the Gepard and Albatros had, along with the same self-defence AAW suite pretty much, and "less" electronics than the frigates.
- they address the problem the Marine has always had with the FACs, which is that the Gepard and Albatros - especially for long overseas missions - were small and crowded.
I can definitely see enough similarities to rate it a "replacement" there ;)

The K130 though will be a bit more capable of doing missions alone (with one K130 replacing an old FAC "Rotte" operationally). If they ever buy the drones, they'll also be capable of a far wider mission spectrum for surveillance/patrol tasks. And there's the dual-mode seeker on the RBS 15 for land-attack.

[contedicavour]

Any plans for export ?
Originally R&D and fixed costs were planned to be shared on many more than 5 ships. If the German Navy can't buy more, then there's only one way out : export it...

cheers

[kato]

Any plans for export ?
Originally R&D and fixed costs were planned to be shared on many more than 5 ships. If the German Navy can't buy more, then there's only one way out : export it...


The K130 is a modified Meko A-100 design, which has also been sold to Malaysia (Kedah class) and Poland (Project 621, Gawron class).
The Malaysian ships are outfitted as OPVs with a lot of "fitted for but not with" (including RAM and Exocet; they'll only carry a 76mm and a 30mm gun). Two units built in Germany are in service, four more units are building in local yards. The order has been troubled by the quality control issues in the locally built units (apparently two of those failed their sea trials). Malaysia has allocated something like 7.5 billion dollar to the project for a total of 27 planned units. They're smaller than the K130, at 1650 tons.
The Polish units are outfitted similarly to the K130 (heavier armament: VLS with 32 ESSM, 8 Harpoon, 76mm + 35mm CIWS) and will apparently have a similar role. 2 units ordered, 3 more on option. Slightly larger than K130 at 2050 tons, and the hangar supports a light helicopter (which was specifically omitted in the K130 in favour of drones).

look at it like this, planned potential procurement only went from 47 to 37 units. ;)

[kato]

Any plans for export ?
Originally R&D and fixed costs were planned to be shared on many more than 5 ships. If the German Navy can't buy more, then there's only one way out : export it...
The K130 is a modified MEKO A-100, which has sold to Poland (1 unit, planning for 5 more, similar outfit to K130) and Malaysia (2 units, 4 building, 20 more planned, outfitted as OPV).

[Falstaff]

1x 76mm
2x 27mm
1x RAM
4x RBS 15


Make it 2xRAM ;)


My only concerns are that they downgraded the electronic too much in order to save money and that the procurement of the planned drones is also not fixed.

Is there something particular you're referring to? I couldn't find too much about the K-130's electronics besides the TRS-3D/16.


Any plans for export ?
Originally R&D and fixed costs were planned to be shared on many more than 5 ships. If the German Navy can't buy more, then there's only one way out : export it...

mmm... AFAIK at least a second batch of 5 is planned in the next decade.
As far as export is concerned I think that in it's current configuration the K-130 is too expensive and not multi-role enough for export.
The K-130 is a very advanced ship: a highly capable (and very complex) combat management and fire control system, the very advanced integrated monitoring and control system with its battle damage control system, very high degree of automation, integrated bridge, ship intranet, data links 11 and 16, very strong firepower against surface (and land) targets with the RBS 15 Mk3, very, very strong self defence with the weapon systems mentioned above plus the all new multi ammonition softkill system and the UL-5000K ECM system. It's mainly made for anti surface warfare in high intensity conflicts with a secondary land attack role.
At the same time it doesn't have a hangar that's large enough to handle a Lynx-class helicopter, it is not exactly made for offshore patrol duties.
I think that many of these features will influence future MEKO designs, but for many countries I believe this ship represents a capability (and cost) overkill. Competition is strong in this segment. On the one side there are the classical off-the-shelf FACs and small corvettes, on the other side there are the multi-role capable light frigates. And there are the other (not as advanced but cheaper) corvettes like the Commandante-class and last but not least the bigger OPVs which are perfectly suitable for many roles.
I think those countries who can afford a ship like the K-130 build their own designs.
But perhaps we'll see a downgraded version on the export market some day...

[Waylander]

That's what I heared from some guys in the navy. Maybe just bad rumours, but as long as I am aware there have been budget cuts in the past of the programm.

[kato]

As far as export is concerned I think that in it's current configuration the K-130 is too expensive and not multi-role enough for export.
...
But perhaps we'll see a downgraded version on the export market some day...
The K130 is a modified MEKO A-100. Which went rather good as exports goes - the Polish Project 621 corvette is also based on it (similarly high-grade version as the K130), as well as the Malaysian Kedah class (low-grade version as OPVs, planned for 26 units!).

The Project 621 is slightly heavier, and carries Harpoon, VLS ESSM, and similar combat management systems to K130 (a lot of Thales hardware iirc). And, unlike for the K130, their hangar is rated for a light helo. One unit is building, original planning was for 6 units - though its doubtful more than 2 will be built iirc.
The Kedah class is basically a MEKO A-100 stripped of anything but the bare minimum. Will carry a 76mm and a 30mm gun regular, and "fitted for but not with" RAM and Exocet. Malaysia has allocated an awesome amount of money for the project, around 5 billion euro iirc (meaning these OPVs aren't really that much cheaper than the K130 - Germany is spending 1.2 billion on the first batch of 5). Two Kedahs are commissioned, two in sea trials, two are building, about 20 more planned.

[Falstaff]

The K130 is a modified MEKO A-100. Which went rather good as exports goes

I'm pretty sure contedicavour knows that and was referring particularly to the K-130. :confused:

The Project 621 is slightly heavier, and carries Harpoon, VLS ESSM, and similar combat management systems to K130 (a lot of Thales hardware iirc). And, unlike for the K130, their hangar is rated for a light helo. One unit is building, original planning was for 6 units - though its doubtful more than 2 will be built iirc.


I wouldn't wonder if these were reclassified as "light frigates", I remember the A-200 SANs being called "corvettes" in the first place ;)

[Falstaff]

Malaysia has allocated an awesome amount of money for the project, around 5 billion euro iirc (meaning these OPVs aren't really that much cheaper than the K130 - Germany is spending 1.2 billion on the first batch of 5). Two Kedahs are commissioned, two in sea trials, two are building, about 20 more planned.

Mods, sorry for double-posting.

If your numbers are correct, that means 240 million € per unit for the K-130 and about 190 million € for the Kedah (which is truely awesome for a country like Malaysia). If that ain't expensive, I don't know. If I take into account that much of the K-130's technology is derived from the F124, the ECM system is derived from the F100's system, the radar is "off-the-shelf" and the hull is based on the MEKO A-100, that sounds even more to me.
And IIRC the Baynunah class were to cost around 140 million $ per unit and the Super Vitas for Greece around 180 million $ each. Both are smaller but provide good capabilities, I think.

[kato]

Mods, sorry for double-posting.

If your numbers are correct, that means 240 million € per unit for the K-130 and about 190 million € for the Kedah (which is truely awesome for a country like Malaysia). If that ain't expensive, I don't know. If I take into account that much of the K-130's technology is derived from the F124, the ECM system is derived from the F100's system, the radar is "off-the-shelf" and the hull is based on the MEKO A-100, that sounds even more to me.
And IIRC the Baynunah class were to cost around 140 million $ per unit and the Super Vitas for Greece around 180 million $ each. Both are smaller but provide good capabilities, I think.

The Fixed-Prize Contract for the 27 planned Kedahs, was RM24.3 billion under the 1998 contract apparently. The yard is trying to get another RM1.8 billion.
1998 exchange rate was 4.2 ringgit per dollar, meaning a total of 5.7 billion dollar for the contract, or 212 million for each ship. Definitely including development costs, plus a transfer payment to Blohm & Voss, and probably some initial support package, as well as missile outfits for at least some, i'd say.
The contract for the actually ordered units so far (6 units, first 2 built in Germany, assembled in Malaysia; the other 4 building in Malaysia) was RM5.6 billion, or 1.3 billion dollar - 220 million per ship approximately. Ordering for the second batch of six, despite problems with the first ships, is very likely.
Afaik, the RMN wants to replace about all their (two dozen?) FACs and (one dozen?) corvettes with these OPVs.

As for the cost of the K130, what's keeping it down (in comparison) is that a lot of the development cost was completely shafted to other projects (F124 in particular), budgetwise. And as for export of the specific K130 design itself... doubt it very much. The project was originally planned for 15 units just for Germany, and a second batch of 5, with modifications, is still extremely likely (the Gepard FACs really needs to be replaced next decade, they're approaching 40 years by then, no way to put that off).
As German ships go (recently), the K130 can be considered cheap. Very cheap.

And going back to the "K130 is not a replacement for Albatros operationally": The K130 is planned to fill the exact same roles that the Albatros and Gepard did in the last decade. Patrol, embargo control within peacekeeping missions, limited surveillance, ASuW. They were even designed/specified especially to address the shortcomings of the FACs in these roles (cramped accomodations, bad seakeeping in open water, problems with operations in warm high-salt water), which were evaluated after the Horn of Africa mission, in which three Albatros and three Gepard (iirc) took part. What's added to that is a - minor - land-attack/fire-support capability, mostly with RBS-15.


edit: oh, and K130 electronics...

The K130 is supposed to have:
- Thales TRS-3D/16 (as known)
- Thales Mirador (electro-optical sensor suite; infrared/optical horizon search, plus tracking, mostly iirc; two systems per ship)
- a "Combat Direction System" (integrates the various ship management functions; includes a redesigned Mission Planning & Control System from the F124)
- a EADS EW system (unspecified)
- an active ECM jammer (unspecified)
- Link 11, Link 16; NATO MCCIS and CaS integration
- an ESM system (UL5000K, modified from "Aldebaran" on Spanish F100 frigates)
- Rheinmetall MASS (soft-kill chaff)
- SPERRY Marine Bridgemaster E series navigation radar (2 units per ship?)

the only things that apparently changed in the above list from the original specs is the UL5000K ("new requirements"), some changes in the Link 11/16 hardware ("modernized version available, use new version"), modified IFF/AIS ("new safety standards since 2004"), and of course the land-attack capability for the RBS-15 (Mk 4 seeker, yet to be developed).

[Falstaff]

- a "Combat Direction System" (integrates the various ship management functions; includes a redesigned Mission Planning & Control System from the F124)
- a EADS EW system (unspecified)
- an active ECM jammer (unspecified)


AFAIK the UL-5000K system integrates both EW and ECM jammer functions (at least that's what they say in "Marineforum 7/8-2006").
I'd put the term "Combat Direction System" in quotes, too... and decided I find combat management and control system much more accurate. The old question of how to translate terms like "FüWeS" :)

[kato]

AFAIK the UL-5000K system integrates both EW and ECM jammer functions (at least that's what they say in "Marineforum 7/8-2006").
Hmm, right, didn't notice that. The newest ETMS (the Thales/EADS joint venture developing it) brochure lists the UL-5000K twice, once as ECM (under effectors), once as ESM (under sensors).

I'd put the term "Combat Direction System" in quotes, too... and decided I find combat management and control system much more accurate. The old question of how to translate terms like "FüWeS" :)
K130-CDS is a bit more than that. According to ETMS, it integrates as subsystems "FüWeS", "FüInfoSys", "LogInfoSys", internally, and connects to all communication systems, ship automation (ICMS) and logistics (PCLOA) systems through firewalls.
Of course, that's already been the case in the F124 and F123, so it's technically not really been a FüWeS anyway :wink:
Intention of the modularity of CDS is of course to keep the cost down - by using as many commercial off-the-shelf subsystem products as possible. Basis for the CDS is the same architecture (Thales Sigma Splice or w/e) as used on F124, and over half the subsystems are identical.
Sorta interesting btw is that the F122/F123 won't get Sigma Splice when they get their upgrades in a few years - understandable though, they'd probably have to pretty much rip it apart just to remove the components (F124 and K130 hardware is on semi-fixed modules).

as for a translation... EADS uses "Command & Control and Weapons Deployment System". rather unwieldy :wink:

(and, dang, this post turned long again >_>)

[Falstaff]

Seems like the Braunschweig encountered some problems during sea trials: According to GeoPowers (http://www.geopowers.com/Machte/Deutschland/Rustung/Rustung_2007/rustung_2007.html#K130Ungemach) specified speed and maneuverability weren't met, one of the prop shafts broke and the steering gear is flawed.
Usual sea trial business, I hope...

[kato]

Usual sea trial business, I hope...
... not really. Well, not meeting design speeds and such, maybe. The rudder control probs could just be a software thing, that's pretty normal. The broken shaft, that looks bad - depends on why it broke (faulty material, shaft ran at stress levels above specs, shaft not satisfactory to design specs; all more or less likely).

Braunschweig is apparently currently at the Marinearsenal Kiel (operated by the BWB who runs the sea trials), not at the building yard, to switch to a new shaft.

[harryriedl]

stupid question whats the crew complement k130 and whats the replacement ratio beween the FACs and the corvett

[kato]

stupid question whats the crew complement k130 and whats the replacement ratio beween the FACs and the corvett
65 crew.
ratio is 1 corvette for 2 FACs (or: 1 corvette for 1 FAC "Rotte"), 5 corvettes replacing 10 FACs; original planning was 15 for 40 FACs. Before the Tiger FACs were retired without replacement. The current 5 corvettes "replace" the Albatros class, the Gepard class will stay in service for now.

[Falstaff]

Found this (http://www.spiegel.de/video/video-29541.html) recent little clip from SPIEGEL TV (18.04.2008) about the Braunschweig. Very interesting, as it shows some of the interior.
Interestingly, the ever sceptic SPIEGEL-crew doesn't mention anything negative :confused:
And they mention that the Braunschweig will join a NATO exercise this week. I imagine there is some kato around here who knows which one it is...

[kato]

Mare Aperto maneuver around Sicily, then on to the Red Sea (!).

BMVG Press Release (http://www.bmvg.de/portal/a/bmvg/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLd4k3cQsESZnFW8YbmZ rrR4IZTmYQMZA0WAyiLiglVd_XIz83Vd9bP0C_IDc0otzRUREA 1LC1qw!!/delta/base64xml/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS80SVVFLzZfRF9PNzE!?yw_contentURL=%2F C1256F1200608B1B%2FW27DPCBC954INFODE%2Fcontent.jsp )

The squadron tender Donau will make the same trip.

[tatra]

The K130 is a modified MEKO A-100. Which went rather good as exports goes - the Polish Project 621 corvette is also based on it (similarly high-grade version as the K130), as well as the Malaysian Kedah class (low-grade version as OPVs, planned for 26 units!).

The Project 621 is slightly heavier, and carries Harpoon, VLS ESSM, and similar combat management systems to K130 (a lot of Thales hardware iirc). And, unlike for the K130, their hangar is rated for a light helo. One unit is building, original planning was for 6 units - though its doubtful more than 2 will be built iirc.
The Kedah class is basically a MEKO A-100 stripped of anything but the bare minimum. Will carry a 76mm and a 30mm gun regular, and "fitted for but not with" RAM and Exocet. Malaysia has allocated an awesome amount of money for the project, around 5 billion euro iirc (meaning these OPVs aren't really that much cheaper than the K130 - Germany is spending 1.2 billion on the first batch of 5). Two Kedahs are commissioned, two in sea trials, two are building, about 20 more planned.
The Kedah class is based on the Meko 100 OPV. This is not connected to the MEKO A series, which are very different designs. The Malaysian OPV is 1,300 tonnes full load displacement, 80 m long, a speed of 22 knots on twin diesel engines and a crew of 78 (source (http://naval.review.cfps.dal.ca/archive/5440311-2038198/vol1num3art9.pdf)).

A ship that is based on the 1900 tons full load displacement MEKO A-100 corvette design (source for displacement data (http://www.csbaonline.org/4Publications/PubLibrary/R.20040218.LCS/R.20040218.LCS.pdf). See also A.D. Baker III, “World Navies in Review,” Proceedings, March 2003, pp. 48-56; Norman Freidman, “The Corvettes and Frigates New Wave,” Armada International, February 2003) is the Polish project 621 GAWRON. It displaces 2,035 tons full load, is 95.2m long, has a speed of 30 on CODAG (1 gas turbine; 2 diesels; 2 shafts) and complement is 74. (See JFS)

At 3800 tons full load displacement (source (http://pubs.drdc.gc.ca/inbasket/dguertin.061103_1515.p526474.pdf)), the South African MEKO A-200 are effectively frigates.

[kato]

The Kedah class is based on the Meko 100 OPV. This is not connected to the MEKO A series, which are very different designs.

The Malaysian OPV is 1,300 tonnes full load displacement, 80 m long, a speed of 22 knots on twin diesel engines and a crew of 78 (source (http://naval.review.cfps.dal.ca/archive/5440311-2038198/vol1num3art9.pdf)).


I don't know where they got that from, but Jane's *) says different.

Structure: Design based on Blohm + Voss Meko A 100 including measures to reduce the radar and IR signatures
The same source *) gives the usual 1650t FL, 91.1x12x3m dimensions, 68 crew including 11 officers.

There is no "plain" (old) Meko 100 version. Basic versions are 140, 200, 360, A100, A200, F123, F124.

---
*) : Source - Jane's Fighting Ships, 2004-2005 edition.

[tatra]

I don't know where they got that from, but Jane's *) says different.

Structure: Design based on Blohm + Voss Meko A 100 including measures to reduce the radar and IR signatures
The same source *) gives the usual 1650t FL, 91.1x12x3m dimensions, 68 crew including 11 officers.

There is no "plain" (old) Meko 100 version. Basic versions are 140, 200, 360, A100, A200, F123, F124.

---
*) : Source - Jane's Fighting Ships, 2004-2005 edition.

There is no plain Meko 100 among corvettes and frigates. There IS a meko 100 OPV. ANd Meko 100 RMN is derived (beefed up) from that.
http://www.tk-marinesystems.de/index.php?level=4&CatID=101&inhalt_id=177&product=30&subprod=1&detail=4
http://www.tk-marinesystems.de/bilder/produkte/naval_ships/offshore_vessel.jpg

This is a Meko 100 OPV (with Meko MRV)
http://www.wing21.rtaf.mi.th/wboard/2512254623484.jpg

This is the meko A 100 (with X form hull) proposed for Poland
http://www.subsim.com/images/3baker03.jpg

[kato]

Just because it has the same "Meko number", that doesn't mean they have the same size, or even the same specific hullform.

Just look at the extremely wide variety between Meko 200 types, or at the difference between the Meko 360H1 and Meko 360H2.

[tatra]

Just because it has the same "Meko number", that doesn't mean they have the same size, or even the same specific hullform.

Just look at the extremely wide variety between Meko 200 types, or at the difference between the Meko 360H1 and Meko 360H2.

You go compare the Kedah class to the CGs in the previous post and tell me which it looks like more: the OPV that's shows with the MRV or the corvette.

The MEKO A-100 is a multipurpose corvette with a displacement of 1,900t. The CODAG-WAP propulsion system includes two 6,000kW diesel engines and a 14,000kW gas turbine. The MEKO A-100 accommodates one medium-size helicopter, a vertical launch system, with up to 16 cells and eight surface-to-surface missiles and four torpedo tubes. The sensor suite includes 3D phased array radar, 2D medium range air and surface search radar, two fire control systems, infrared surveillance system, electro-optic director, two target designation sights and sonar suite.
http://taiwantp.net/cgi/roadbbs.pl?board_id=5&type=show_post&post=540

The MEKO A100 is the little brother of the A200, as sold to South Africa. The signature reducing hull form (X shape as on A 200, K130, F124, Meko D, Meko X etc) and signature reducing propulsion system (CODAG/WARP) distinguish meko A 100 from meko 100 OPV a.k.a. Sentinel OPV (which has no signature reducing hull shaping and uses 2 caterpillar diesels on 2 standard shafts/props).

Unfortunately with the mergers come changes in websites and a lot of information and images have been taken off the (former) B+V site. I'm going to see if I can find something one this in my old issues of Naval Forces (Monch Publishing Group)

http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/R_MEKO_A-100.HTM
http://www.economicexpert.com/a/MEKO.htm

Meko A100 image (http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/meko/images/meko1.jpg) and another (http://www.idepe.org/images/meko.gif)

Polish Gawron/project621 (http://www.redakcjawojskowa.pl/gazeta/images/stories/uzbrojenie/korweta.jpg)

This is a Meko 100 OPV (http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/meko/images/mekoA100.jpg)

This is the Kedah class (http://bigdogdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/warship_kd_kedah.jpg)

[kato]

distinguish meko A 100 from meko 100 OPV a.k.a. Sentinel OPV (which has no signature reducing hull shaping and uses 2 caterpillar diesels on 2 standard shafts/props).


You realize that the "Sentinel OPV" concept is relatively new (started last year), and is derived from the Kedah?

Just look at the Kedah (picture 1 (http://bigdogdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/warship_kd_kedah.jpg), picture 2 (http://members.home.nl/7-seas/KD%20Pahang%20172%20Fleet%20review%20dec2005_7S.JP G)) - the hull includes signature reducing features and slight X-shaped hull (not to the extent of the A200), and shows its heritage from the A100 rather clearly.

[tatra]

You realize that the "Sentinel OPV" concept is relatively new (started last year), and is derived from the Kedah?

Just look at the Kedah (picture 1 (http://bigdogdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/warship_kd_kedah.jpg), picture 2 (http://members.home.nl/7-seas/KD%20Pahang%20172%20Fleet%20review%20dec2005_7S.JP G)) - the hull includes signature reducing features and slight X-shaped hull (not to the extent of the A200), and shows its heritage from the A100 rather clearly.

Yes, the Sentinel is newer development of the Meko 100 OPV. So?

This is an X-shape (http://www.sa-transport.co.za/military/navy/meka_class_corvette_2_t06.JPG) and so is this (http://www.sa-transport.co.za/military/navy/frigates/sas_amatola_f-145_02_dvdb07.JPG). And this (http://www.sa-transport.co.za/military/navy/frigates/sas_spioenkop_f-147_21_dvdb07.JPG). More images illustrating the X-form here (http://www.sa-transport.co.za/military/navy/navy.html)

Now, look at the banner on the LIMA 2007 website (http://www.limamaritime.com.my/newsletter6.php), which shows the first 2 Meko 100 RMN (pennant numbers 171 and 172). Or this image (http://bp2.blogger.com/_4kS6qUA3aqA/Rj7X_PxCunI/AAAAAAAAADs/FZxUr9iB-rA/s1600-h/DSCN9989.JPG)from http://www.malaysiandefence.com/?p=223. This one (http://lh4.ggpht.com/sydlax/RrWC9Xvdm2I/AAAAAAAAAQM/NM77ttZuB0o/P7280893.JPG?imgmax=512)is even more (http://www.hrvatski-vojnik.hr/hrvatski-vojnik/0882006/bpictures/MPG-vijesti%2020-IIc.jpg)clear. Is that an X-shape, really? Sure (http://www.marinelog.com/DOCS/NEWSMMIII/MMIIIJan18.html)?

For info on GAWRON, see p 23 of this (http://www.przemysl-obronny.pl/img/calosc2.pdf)and p 18 of this (http://www.przemysl-obronny.pl/img/biuletyn.pdf)

If you can read Hungarian, check this (http://www.hrvatski-vojnik.hr/hrvatski-vojnik/922003/meko.asp) for comparison Meko 100 and Meko A100

Note that the ThyssenKrupp Marine website (http://www.tk-marinesystems.de/press.html?year=2001&press=113&do=showPressDetail)speaks of Meko 100 RMN Patrol Vessels (http://www.tk-marinesystems.de/press.html?year=2001&press=113&do=showPressDetail)(not Meko A 100 corvette)