World Navies In Review
Finding the Right Mix
By Eric Wertheim
Proceedings, March 2006
The world's major maritime powers clearly have the money and commitment to maintain carefully balanced forces to project power. It seems, however, that many other, smaller navies can ill afford to continue shopping for ultra-expensive and difficult-to-maintain amphibious ships, aircraft carriers, and submarines while anti-piracy and counter-terrorism remain their stated top priorities. This force-mix debate will inevitably persist, and the arguments over which types of warships will be most useful in the future remain anyone"s guess. This annual review of the world's navies is arranged by region, with maritime nations discussed alphabetically in each subheading.
Australia and Asia
. Australia. Long a key Pacific partner of the United States, the Australian Navy has seen some major programs begin to mature during the past year. Among the most important of these programs may well be the new air warfare destroyer (AWD), which Australia hopes will enter service around 2013. A total of three destroyers are planned with construction work expected to begin in Australia around 2008. A final design has yet to be agreed on, but it is known that the destroyers will be fitted with the American Aegis system, significantly increasing both the capability of the ships and cost of the total program budget, which currently runs in the neighborhood of $6 billion (Australian). With the destroyers still many years away from commissioning, Australian Oliver Hazard Perry-class and newer Anzac-class frigates will bear the maritime burden until then, soldiering on thanks to many ongoing upgrades. As it now stands, all eight of the Anzac frigates, the final unit of which will enter service in 2006, are to be modernized with a phased-array radar between 2009 and 2012. Though the older Perry-class frigates are beginning to retire, those remaining in service are also undergoing significant upgrades.
RAN
HMAS Armidale, first of the class of new patrol boats for the Royal Australian Navy, is shown here on sea trials during 2005
In August 2005, the Australian government approved the start of initial work on a multi-billion dollar amphibious assault ship program to meet Australia"s 21st century troop transport and peacekeeping requirements. Intended to transport 1,000 troops and up to 100 vehicles, French and Spanish amphibious designs currently top the list of potential bidders. Expected in service around 2012, the new amphibious ships would replace three Australian amphibious vessels now in service.
With the number of large transport vessels soaking up much of the limelight, analysts should not discount the importance of patrol craft when it comes to maritime capabilities, something the Australians have taken to heart. In 2005 the first of 12 Armidale-class patrol craft entered service while older boats of the Fremantle class are retired in turn.
Brunei. Throughout 2005, Brunei steadfastly refused to accept its new BAE-constructed corvettes into service, leaving BAE Systems to ponder the cause of rejection. As the warships appear to be in working order, Brunei's manpower or infrastructure requirements may not yet be in place to support these advanced warships. Though the true cause remains open to conjecture, the issue is now making its way through the international court system and the debate will be interesting to watch during the coming year.
China. While many industrialized nations spend a great deal of time talking about modernization, far fewer follow through in budgetary plans. One of the few exceptions to this rule appears to be China. From surface combatants to submarines and from aircraft to Aegis-type radars, the Chinese fleet of 2010 will be very different from that of 2000. Many new classes of warships are in different states of design and development, including new nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines (project 094), nuclear-powered attack submarines (project 093), three classes of conventionally powered attack submarines (Song, Yuan and improved Kilo-classes), new project 052C class and ex-Russian Sovremennyy destroyers, Jiangwei-II-class and project 054 frigates, in addition to new stealthy fast-attack craft and a number of new amphibious assault ships.
Few will doubt that China's military and its navy in particular are in the middle of a dramatic shift away from large numbers of lower quality warships toward a smaller, far more capable fleet. Though there has been much debate concerning the possible addition of an aircraft carrier to the Chinese fleet, little hard evidence supports the assumption that carrier aviation will be a significant path of investment for the Chinese during the next five years. Rather, missile-carrying submarines and surface ships seem to be the direction of continued growth for the ever-expanding fleet. Not that an aircraft carrier is out of the question, but rather, submarines and surface warships seem better suited to the anti-access strategy China appears to be preparing.
India. Trailing not far behind China in terms of maritime modernization would most certainly have to be India. The nation has some lofty desires, though its domestic shipbuilding capability is only just beginning to arrive at a point worthy of these goals. In the meantime, until domestic shipyards are fully up to the task, India continues looking abroad, primarily to Russia, in search of weapons.
U.S. NAVY
India hopes to have at least two new aircraft carriers in service by 2012. INS Viraat, shown here, is likely to remain in service until at least 2010 when the ex-Russian Kiev-class Admiral Gorshkov (now Vikramaditya) enters service.
First among its many naval programs is a new 40,000-ton aircraft carrier currently under construction at Cochin Shipyard. India hopes to purchase as many as three of the class, the first of which, Vikrant, is due to enter service around 2012 and carry two dozen aircraft, including MiG-29 fighters and Sea King helicopters. Even before the Vikrant enters service, an older ship, the long-retired ex-Russian Kiev-class aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, will be joining the fleet. Recently purchased from Russia, the carrier has been renamed Vikramaditya and is currently undergoing refit in Severodvinsk, Russia, with final outfitting to be done at Cochin Shipyard in India. When Vikramaditya enters service by 2010, India's current carrier, Viraat, is expected to be decommissioned.
In June 2005, India finalized its plan to build six conventionally-powered Scorpène-class submarines, with the boats now due to enter service between 2012 and 2015. Mystery continues to surround India's nuclear-powered submarine program, the most pressing question being whether the reported advanced technology vessel (ATV) submarine is an SSBN (nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarine) or in actuality an SSGN (nuclear-powered cruise-missile submarine) fitted to carry land attack cruise missiles. Recent media reports indicate that the ATV is currently under construction at Mazagon Dockyard in Mumbai and isn't due in service until at least 2009. Until then, India has apparently been looking to Russia in the hopes of ordering a number of Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarines. Though discussions on the Akulas have persisted for nearly a decade, current reports indicate that negotiations are all but finalized for a "lease-to-buy" option on two Akula submarines for delivery in the near future.
Submarines and aircraft carriers are only one aspect of the Indian fleet modernization. An increasingly powerful surface combatant fleet is also in the works. A new Bangalore (Project 15A)-class guided-missile destroyer was launched at Mumbai in 2005, and three of the class are expected in service between 2008 and 2011. If all goes as planned, the Bangalores will join a multitude of new ships, including the Shivalik-class (Project 17) frigates in service between 2006-2008 as well as a new class of corvettes tentatively named Project 28, which is still in the preliminary design phase. Already in service with the fleet are new units of the Delhi-class (Project 15) destroyers along with improved Godavari-class (Project 16A) and Talwar (Russian Project 11356)-class frigates, of which three more are planned.
Indonesia. While larger navies aim for a blue-water fleet, and small navies sometimes look to brown-water riverine operations, Indonesia has plans for what it calls a green-water navy, often described as a compromise between a blue- and brown-water force. Regardless of titles, the Indonesian Navy has recently received help in its efforts to fight piracy and to patrol its often-dangerous coastal waters. Japan in particular has pledged to help build a strong Indonesian Coast Guard, while a number of new Type-35 and Type-36 patrol craft were recently accepted into service along with two corvettes, soon to be delivered from the Netherlands. In the coming years, the Indonesian fleet will also see its amphibious transport capability grow with the acquisition of four 7,300-ton amphibious transport docks. The first two were constructed in South Korea, and the second two will be built domestically by Indonesian shipyards. Indonesia also aims to acquire two or three Type 214 submarines and between two and four 1,700-ton small frigates from the Netherlands during the next five years.
Japan. With all these changes going on among the naval forces of its neighbors, Japan's Maritime Self Defense Forces haven't exactly been idle. Work continues on the first new 13,500-ton helicopter-carrying destroyers that will likely enter service around 2008. The new warships are expected to replace the Haruna class and eventually the Shirane class now serving the fleet. Equally powerful but a bit smaller are the two Atago-class Aegis destroyers, launched recently in Nagasaki.
Indicating just how seriously Japan takes the ballistic-missile threat from potentially hostile neighbors, the Japanese government in 2005 pledged joint cooperation with the United States on tests of the SM-3 Standard missile interceptor as well as announcing the intention to purchase the latest SM-2 Block IIIB surface-to-air missiles for its guided-missile destroyers. Though technology advances, the number of Japanese submarines is expected to drop modestly in the coming year as older subs are retired without one-for-one replacements by the newer Oyashio-class now on the production line. New units of the Sugashima-class mine countermeasures ships continue to enter service, with the ninth and tenth ships having been delivered. Additionally, the maritime helicopter fleet will continue to grow in capability as the first new SH-60K helicopters were delivered in 2005. New EH-101 helicopters will arrive in 2006, though a reduction in the Navy's fleet of P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft is also expected, with the number of P-3 airframes in service likely to drop by up to 30% once this drawdown is completed.
Kazakhstan. Elsewhere in Asia, even Kazakhstan was able to purchase new fast-attack craft this past year, inking a deal for three Sea Dolphin-type fast-attack craft built in South Korea.
Malaysia. Malaysia recently saw the birth of a new organization, dubbed the Maritime Enforcement Agency, which took over maritime law enforcement and coast guard duties for the nation. The first of two Scorpène-class submarines is set to enter Malaysian service in 2009, though early problems forced delays for the already expensive project. As of June 2005, the first of these Scorpènes were reportedly 35% complete. New offshore patrol vessels are also in the offing for the Malaysian sea services during 2006. Based on the MEKO-100 design, six of the class are being built for Malaysia, though Navy officials are hoping to order as many as 20. There is reportedly also interest in purchasing at least two 18,500-ton amphibious assault ships for the Malaysian fleet. Most likely they will be built in South Korea during the next few years.
New Zealand. In 2005 New Zealand decommissioned the last of its operational Leander-class frigates, HMNZS Canterbury. New vessels will soon be entering service as the important Project Protector acquisition program promises a new fleet of patrol ships by 2008. The program includes plans to purchase four small inshore patrol vessels, two mid-sized offshore vessels, and one larger multi-role vessel that must be able to carry an infantry company along with associated vehicles and combat equipment. Steel was cut for the project's first craft this past year by Tenix, which was chosen as prime contractor in 2004.
Pakistan. In mid-2005 Pakistan announced that it planned to purchase four Jiangwei II-class (F 22) frigates from China. Expected to become operational sometime between 2011 and 2012, the frigates will likely be armed with antiship and surface-to-air missiles in addition to Chinese versions of the French Dauphin helicopter. Eight P-3C Orions also joined the Pakistani fleet in 2005, and will be armed with new anti-ship missiles as Pakistan recently requested the purchase of 50 Harpoon block II antiship missiles to supplement the block I weapons already in service.
Philippines. It is hard these days to discuss Philippine naval forces without placing an ever-increasing emphasis on their marine corps. Viewed as a key element of their maritime power, one can expect significant growth of the marine corps in the future, which would bring the force more in line with its growing importance to the maritime capabilities of the island nation. Small craft still play a vital role, however, and Emilo Jacinto-class patrol craft will soon begin an overhaul and modernization program that will include installation of a 25-mm cannon and new weapons fire-control and on-board fire-suppression systems.
Singapore. For Singapore, work continues on its Formidable-class frigates, the first of which entered service in 2004. The sixth and final ship of the class, Supreme, was launched in July 2005 and is scheduled for commissioning in 2009. Perhaps most surprising is the recent announcement that the small nation will purchase two soon-to-be-retired submarines from Sweden for an expected delivery around 2010. The new submarines are expected to replace some of the older Sjöormen-class subs, also purchased previously from Sweden.
HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES
South Korea's KDX-III-class destroyers will carry the Aegis weapon system. The first of the class is expected to enter service in 2008.
South Korea. The first new 14,000-ton South Korean amphibious assault ship was launched in July 2005, and she is to be followed in the near future by a second vessel. Both are more than 650 feet long and can carry 700 troops, ten helicopters, and a number of landing craft in their docking wells. In the meantime, work continues on the final South Korean KDX-II-class and the first KDX-III-class destroyers, the latter of which will be fitted with the Aegis weapon system, and the first Type 214 submarine, expected in service during 2007. In April of 2006, South Korea agreed to reactivate and upgrade eight P-3B Orion aircraft as part of the nation's maritime patrol expansion project. Delivery of the final modernized airframe is expected in 2010.
Taiwan. Although Taiwan's quest for a new class of submarines continues, the nation is in the process of gaining a powerful new capability in the form of four Kidd-class destroyers purchased from the United States. The first of the class was modernized and delivered to Taiwan in late 2005, and the remaining units are expected to follow by the end of 2006.
Meanwhile, Taiwan has continued its efforts to equip its forces with ever-improving weapons and equipment. It is in the process of equipping its fleet of eight Knox-class frigates with SM-1 Standard surface-to-air missiles, providing the class with a balanced mix of antiair, antisubmarine, and antisurface capabilities.
Taiwan's submarine force will also get a weapons boost with the addition of new Harpoon antiship missiles set to be installed in its two Dutch Hai Lung-class submarines, in service since the late 1980s. Work continues on an advanced, domestically-produced missile known as the Hsiung Feng 3 (HF-3), which was test-fired in 2005. Of course aviation plays a key role for any maritime force, and 2005 saw the delivery of three E-2 Hawkeye airborne early warning and control planes, which will undoubtedly lend a significant boost to Taiwanese command, control, and patrol capabilities.
Thailand. Aircraft purchases also made news in Thailand, where new Lynx 300 helicopters were accepted into service. The purchase was overshadowed, however, by renewed Thai interest in laying the groundwork for a submarine fleet in addition to an ongoing requirement to purchase two frigates. Bids have been submitted by a number of European and Asian shipbuilders. If purchased, the frigates would join two new Chinese-built 95-meter offshore patrol vessels, the first of which was delivered in late 2005 and the second expected in 2006. Interest also remains high in purchasing a number of new patrol craft from China in years to come.
Finding the Right Mix
By Eric Wertheim
Proceedings, March 2006
The world's major maritime powers clearly have the money and commitment to maintain carefully balanced forces to project power. It seems, however, that many other, smaller navies can ill afford to continue shopping for ultra-expensive and difficult-to-maintain amphibious ships, aircraft carriers, and submarines while anti-piracy and counter-terrorism remain their stated top priorities. This force-mix debate will inevitably persist, and the arguments over which types of warships will be most useful in the future remain anyone"s guess. This annual review of the world's navies is arranged by region, with maritime nations discussed alphabetically in each subheading.
Australia and Asia
. Australia. Long a key Pacific partner of the United States, the Australian Navy has seen some major programs begin to mature during the past year. Among the most important of these programs may well be the new air warfare destroyer (AWD), which Australia hopes will enter service around 2013. A total of three destroyers are planned with construction work expected to begin in Australia around 2008. A final design has yet to be agreed on, but it is known that the destroyers will be fitted with the American Aegis system, significantly increasing both the capability of the ships and cost of the total program budget, which currently runs in the neighborhood of $6 billion (Australian). With the destroyers still many years away from commissioning, Australian Oliver Hazard Perry-class and newer Anzac-class frigates will bear the maritime burden until then, soldiering on thanks to many ongoing upgrades. As it now stands, all eight of the Anzac frigates, the final unit of which will enter service in 2006, are to be modernized with a phased-array radar between 2009 and 2012. Though the older Perry-class frigates are beginning to retire, those remaining in service are also undergoing significant upgrades.
RAN
HMAS Armidale, first of the class of new patrol boats for the Royal Australian Navy, is shown here on sea trials during 2005
In August 2005, the Australian government approved the start of initial work on a multi-billion dollar amphibious assault ship program to meet Australia"s 21st century troop transport and peacekeeping requirements. Intended to transport 1,000 troops and up to 100 vehicles, French and Spanish amphibious designs currently top the list of potential bidders. Expected in service around 2012, the new amphibious ships would replace three Australian amphibious vessels now in service.
With the number of large transport vessels soaking up much of the limelight, analysts should not discount the importance of patrol craft when it comes to maritime capabilities, something the Australians have taken to heart. In 2005 the first of 12 Armidale-class patrol craft entered service while older boats of the Fremantle class are retired in turn.
Brunei. Throughout 2005, Brunei steadfastly refused to accept its new BAE-constructed corvettes into service, leaving BAE Systems to ponder the cause of rejection. As the warships appear to be in working order, Brunei's manpower or infrastructure requirements may not yet be in place to support these advanced warships. Though the true cause remains open to conjecture, the issue is now making its way through the international court system and the debate will be interesting to watch during the coming year.
China. While many industrialized nations spend a great deal of time talking about modernization, far fewer follow through in budgetary plans. One of the few exceptions to this rule appears to be China. From surface combatants to submarines and from aircraft to Aegis-type radars, the Chinese fleet of 2010 will be very different from that of 2000. Many new classes of warships are in different states of design and development, including new nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines (project 094), nuclear-powered attack submarines (project 093), three classes of conventionally powered attack submarines (Song, Yuan and improved Kilo-classes), new project 052C class and ex-Russian Sovremennyy destroyers, Jiangwei-II-class and project 054 frigates, in addition to new stealthy fast-attack craft and a number of new amphibious assault ships.
Few will doubt that China's military and its navy in particular are in the middle of a dramatic shift away from large numbers of lower quality warships toward a smaller, far more capable fleet. Though there has been much debate concerning the possible addition of an aircraft carrier to the Chinese fleet, little hard evidence supports the assumption that carrier aviation will be a significant path of investment for the Chinese during the next five years. Rather, missile-carrying submarines and surface ships seem to be the direction of continued growth for the ever-expanding fleet. Not that an aircraft carrier is out of the question, but rather, submarines and surface warships seem better suited to the anti-access strategy China appears to be preparing.
India. Trailing not far behind China in terms of maritime modernization would most certainly have to be India. The nation has some lofty desires, though its domestic shipbuilding capability is only just beginning to arrive at a point worthy of these goals. In the meantime, until domestic shipyards are fully up to the task, India continues looking abroad, primarily to Russia, in search of weapons.
U.S. NAVY
India hopes to have at least two new aircraft carriers in service by 2012. INS Viraat, shown here, is likely to remain in service until at least 2010 when the ex-Russian Kiev-class Admiral Gorshkov (now Vikramaditya) enters service.
First among its many naval programs is a new 40,000-ton aircraft carrier currently under construction at Cochin Shipyard. India hopes to purchase as many as three of the class, the first of which, Vikrant, is due to enter service around 2012 and carry two dozen aircraft, including MiG-29 fighters and Sea King helicopters. Even before the Vikrant enters service, an older ship, the long-retired ex-Russian Kiev-class aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, will be joining the fleet. Recently purchased from Russia, the carrier has been renamed Vikramaditya and is currently undergoing refit in Severodvinsk, Russia, with final outfitting to be done at Cochin Shipyard in India. When Vikramaditya enters service by 2010, India's current carrier, Viraat, is expected to be decommissioned.
In June 2005, India finalized its plan to build six conventionally-powered Scorpène-class submarines, with the boats now due to enter service between 2012 and 2015. Mystery continues to surround India's nuclear-powered submarine program, the most pressing question being whether the reported advanced technology vessel (ATV) submarine is an SSBN (nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarine) or in actuality an SSGN (nuclear-powered cruise-missile submarine) fitted to carry land attack cruise missiles. Recent media reports indicate that the ATV is currently under construction at Mazagon Dockyard in Mumbai and isn't due in service until at least 2009. Until then, India has apparently been looking to Russia in the hopes of ordering a number of Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarines. Though discussions on the Akulas have persisted for nearly a decade, current reports indicate that negotiations are all but finalized for a "lease-to-buy" option on two Akula submarines for delivery in the near future.
Submarines and aircraft carriers are only one aspect of the Indian fleet modernization. An increasingly powerful surface combatant fleet is also in the works. A new Bangalore (Project 15A)-class guided-missile destroyer was launched at Mumbai in 2005, and three of the class are expected in service between 2008 and 2011. If all goes as planned, the Bangalores will join a multitude of new ships, including the Shivalik-class (Project 17) frigates in service between 2006-2008 as well as a new class of corvettes tentatively named Project 28, which is still in the preliminary design phase. Already in service with the fleet are new units of the Delhi-class (Project 15) destroyers along with improved Godavari-class (Project 16A) and Talwar (Russian Project 11356)-class frigates, of which three more are planned.
Indonesia. While larger navies aim for a blue-water fleet, and small navies sometimes look to brown-water riverine operations, Indonesia has plans for what it calls a green-water navy, often described as a compromise between a blue- and brown-water force. Regardless of titles, the Indonesian Navy has recently received help in its efforts to fight piracy and to patrol its often-dangerous coastal waters. Japan in particular has pledged to help build a strong Indonesian Coast Guard, while a number of new Type-35 and Type-36 patrol craft were recently accepted into service along with two corvettes, soon to be delivered from the Netherlands. In the coming years, the Indonesian fleet will also see its amphibious transport capability grow with the acquisition of four 7,300-ton amphibious transport docks. The first two were constructed in South Korea, and the second two will be built domestically by Indonesian shipyards. Indonesia also aims to acquire two or three Type 214 submarines and between two and four 1,700-ton small frigates from the Netherlands during the next five years.
Japan. With all these changes going on among the naval forces of its neighbors, Japan's Maritime Self Defense Forces haven't exactly been idle. Work continues on the first new 13,500-ton helicopter-carrying destroyers that will likely enter service around 2008. The new warships are expected to replace the Haruna class and eventually the Shirane class now serving the fleet. Equally powerful but a bit smaller are the two Atago-class Aegis destroyers, launched recently in Nagasaki.
Indicating just how seriously Japan takes the ballistic-missile threat from potentially hostile neighbors, the Japanese government in 2005 pledged joint cooperation with the United States on tests of the SM-3 Standard missile interceptor as well as announcing the intention to purchase the latest SM-2 Block IIIB surface-to-air missiles for its guided-missile destroyers. Though technology advances, the number of Japanese submarines is expected to drop modestly in the coming year as older subs are retired without one-for-one replacements by the newer Oyashio-class now on the production line. New units of the Sugashima-class mine countermeasures ships continue to enter service, with the ninth and tenth ships having been delivered. Additionally, the maritime helicopter fleet will continue to grow in capability as the first new SH-60K helicopters were delivered in 2005. New EH-101 helicopters will arrive in 2006, though a reduction in the Navy's fleet of P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft is also expected, with the number of P-3 airframes in service likely to drop by up to 30% once this drawdown is completed.
Kazakhstan. Elsewhere in Asia, even Kazakhstan was able to purchase new fast-attack craft this past year, inking a deal for three Sea Dolphin-type fast-attack craft built in South Korea.
Malaysia. Malaysia recently saw the birth of a new organization, dubbed the Maritime Enforcement Agency, which took over maritime law enforcement and coast guard duties for the nation. The first of two Scorpène-class submarines is set to enter Malaysian service in 2009, though early problems forced delays for the already expensive project. As of June 2005, the first of these Scorpènes were reportedly 35% complete. New offshore patrol vessels are also in the offing for the Malaysian sea services during 2006. Based on the MEKO-100 design, six of the class are being built for Malaysia, though Navy officials are hoping to order as many as 20. There is reportedly also interest in purchasing at least two 18,500-ton amphibious assault ships for the Malaysian fleet. Most likely they will be built in South Korea during the next few years.
New Zealand. In 2005 New Zealand decommissioned the last of its operational Leander-class frigates, HMNZS Canterbury. New vessels will soon be entering service as the important Project Protector acquisition program promises a new fleet of patrol ships by 2008. The program includes plans to purchase four small inshore patrol vessels, two mid-sized offshore vessels, and one larger multi-role vessel that must be able to carry an infantry company along with associated vehicles and combat equipment. Steel was cut for the project's first craft this past year by Tenix, which was chosen as prime contractor in 2004.
Pakistan. In mid-2005 Pakistan announced that it planned to purchase four Jiangwei II-class (F 22) frigates from China. Expected to become operational sometime between 2011 and 2012, the frigates will likely be armed with antiship and surface-to-air missiles in addition to Chinese versions of the French Dauphin helicopter. Eight P-3C Orions also joined the Pakistani fleet in 2005, and will be armed with new anti-ship missiles as Pakistan recently requested the purchase of 50 Harpoon block II antiship missiles to supplement the block I weapons already in service.
Philippines. It is hard these days to discuss Philippine naval forces without placing an ever-increasing emphasis on their marine corps. Viewed as a key element of their maritime power, one can expect significant growth of the marine corps in the future, which would bring the force more in line with its growing importance to the maritime capabilities of the island nation. Small craft still play a vital role, however, and Emilo Jacinto-class patrol craft will soon begin an overhaul and modernization program that will include installation of a 25-mm cannon and new weapons fire-control and on-board fire-suppression systems.
Singapore. For Singapore, work continues on its Formidable-class frigates, the first of which entered service in 2004. The sixth and final ship of the class, Supreme, was launched in July 2005 and is scheduled for commissioning in 2009. Perhaps most surprising is the recent announcement that the small nation will purchase two soon-to-be-retired submarines from Sweden for an expected delivery around 2010. The new submarines are expected to replace some of the older Sjöormen-class subs, also purchased previously from Sweden.
HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES
South Korea's KDX-III-class destroyers will carry the Aegis weapon system. The first of the class is expected to enter service in 2008.
South Korea. The first new 14,000-ton South Korean amphibious assault ship was launched in July 2005, and she is to be followed in the near future by a second vessel. Both are more than 650 feet long and can carry 700 troops, ten helicopters, and a number of landing craft in their docking wells. In the meantime, work continues on the final South Korean KDX-II-class and the first KDX-III-class destroyers, the latter of which will be fitted with the Aegis weapon system, and the first Type 214 submarine, expected in service during 2007. In April of 2006, South Korea agreed to reactivate and upgrade eight P-3B Orion aircraft as part of the nation's maritime patrol expansion project. Delivery of the final modernized airframe is expected in 2010.
Taiwan. Although Taiwan's quest for a new class of submarines continues, the nation is in the process of gaining a powerful new capability in the form of four Kidd-class destroyers purchased from the United States. The first of the class was modernized and delivered to Taiwan in late 2005, and the remaining units are expected to follow by the end of 2006.
Meanwhile, Taiwan has continued its efforts to equip its forces with ever-improving weapons and equipment. It is in the process of equipping its fleet of eight Knox-class frigates with SM-1 Standard surface-to-air missiles, providing the class with a balanced mix of antiair, antisubmarine, and antisurface capabilities.
Taiwan's submarine force will also get a weapons boost with the addition of new Harpoon antiship missiles set to be installed in its two Dutch Hai Lung-class submarines, in service since the late 1980s. Work continues on an advanced, domestically-produced missile known as the Hsiung Feng 3 (HF-3), which was test-fired in 2005. Of course aviation plays a key role for any maritime force, and 2005 saw the delivery of three E-2 Hawkeye airborne early warning and control planes, which will undoubtedly lend a significant boost to Taiwanese command, control, and patrol capabilities.
Thailand. Aircraft purchases also made news in Thailand, where new Lynx 300 helicopters were accepted into service. The purchase was overshadowed, however, by renewed Thai interest in laying the groundwork for a submarine fleet in addition to an ongoing requirement to purchase two frigates. Bids have been submitted by a number of European and Asian shipbuilders. If purchased, the frigates would join two new Chinese-built 95-meter offshore patrol vessels, the first of which was delivered in late 2005 and the second expected in 2006. Interest also remains high in purchasing a number of new patrol craft from China in years to come.
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