Nah, a minehunter was enough for Norway.
German Navy
- Thread starter rickusn
- Start date
Ok, over at WHQ a guy from the Hessen just said that they are going to join UNIFIL at 19th of February.
I was right, maybe for the first time in a naval topic.
Edit: Ah, damn I have just seen that you already posted there. Late again. And I was sooo happy...
I was right, maybe for the first time in a naval topic.
Edit: Ah, damn I have just seen that you already posted there. Late again. And I was sooo happy...
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #23
Corvette Braunschweig Delivered
Hamburg January 30, 2008 - Braunschweig, the first of a series of five K130 corvettes for the German Navy, has been handed over on Tuesday, January 29, to the German Office for Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB) at the naval base Warnemunde.
In a small ceremony on board the corvette the acceptance certificate was signed in the presence of representatives of the German Office for Defense Technology and Procurement and the German Navy by Dr. Reinhard Mehl, Managing Director of Blohm + Voss, Friedrich-Wilhelm von Krosigk, Head of ARGE K130, and Katja Zentner, Object Manager K130 at Blohm + Voss, on behalf of the contractor and Construction Director Dietrich Grundmann, Head of the Acceptance Commission, on behalf of the client.
ARGE K130 is composed of the shipyards Blohm + Voss (lead yard), Nordseewerke, both part of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, and Fr. Lürssen Werft. Main tasks of the new corvette class are surface surveillance and surface target engagement. A high degree of maneuverability and combat power as well as a significant higher sea endurance enables the corvettes to operate even in distant areas. Homeport of the new class of corvettes will be Warnemunde.
The K130 project is of high importance to both the German naval shipbuilding industry and the supporting industry so as to strengthen their core business in key technologies. The platform and ship systems as well as the combat direction system of the K130 feature various innovative solutions. In addition to this, the radar and infrared signatures of the K130 possess stealth characteristics. As regards the design and construction of the K130 corvettes, importance was attached to make use of the effects of series production to an extent as large as possible. Thus, the three ARGE shipyards design and construct the same sections of each of the five units. The shipyard delivering the unit does final outfitting of each corvette. Blohm + Voss deliver the first and fourth corvette, whereas Fr. Lürssen Werft will deliver the second and fifth corvette and Nordseewerke the third one.
Main characteristics:
Hamburg January 30, 2008 - Braunschweig, the first of a series of five K130 corvettes for the German Navy, has been handed over on Tuesday, January 29, to the German Office for Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB) at the naval base Warnemunde.
In a small ceremony on board the corvette the acceptance certificate was signed in the presence of representatives of the German Office for Defense Technology and Procurement and the German Navy by Dr. Reinhard Mehl, Managing Director of Blohm + Voss, Friedrich-Wilhelm von Krosigk, Head of ARGE K130, and Katja Zentner, Object Manager K130 at Blohm + Voss, on behalf of the contractor and Construction Director Dietrich Grundmann, Head of the Acceptance Commission, on behalf of the client.
ARGE K130 is composed of the shipyards Blohm + Voss (lead yard), Nordseewerke, both part of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, and Fr. Lürssen Werft. Main tasks of the new corvette class are surface surveillance and surface target engagement. A high degree of maneuverability and combat power as well as a significant higher sea endurance enables the corvettes to operate even in distant areas. Homeport of the new class of corvettes will be Warnemunde.
The K130 project is of high importance to both the German naval shipbuilding industry and the supporting industry so as to strengthen their core business in key technologies. The platform and ship systems as well as the combat direction system of the K130 feature various innovative solutions. In addition to this, the radar and infrared signatures of the K130 possess stealth characteristics. As regards the design and construction of the K130 corvettes, importance was attached to make use of the effects of series production to an extent as large as possible. Thus, the three ARGE shipyards design and construct the same sections of each of the five units. The shipyard delivering the unit does final outfitting of each corvette. Blohm + Voss deliver the first and fourth corvette, whereas Fr. Lürssen Werft will deliver the second and fifth corvette and Nordseewerke the third one.
Main characteristics:
- Length overall: 89.12 m
- Length DWL: 82.80 m
- Molded breadth, max.: 13.28 m
- Breadth DWL: 12.44 m
- Draught DWL: 3.40 m
- without tender/supply vessel support: 7 days
- with tender/supply vessel support: 21 days
- Range (at 15 kn): approx. 4000 NM
- Full-load displacement: approx. 1840 t
- Speed: >26 kn
I'd expect her to likely go back to the yard sometime later this year or next year already.
There's some rumour that the corvettes did not meet their design top speed on trials (with that speed of course classified), and rather than waiting even longer for the yard to fix that, the rumour is that they are going to accept a lower top speed in exchange for the yard adding bow thrusters to all ships for free.
Well, one of a couple rumours.
Another rumour is that no matter what state the ship is in, the Bundeswehr will commission her in April.
Ah well, we'll see.
There's some rumour that the corvettes did not meet their design top speed on trials (with that speed of course classified), and rather than waiting even longer for the yard to fix that, the rumour is that they are going to accept a lower top speed in exchange for the yard adding bow thrusters to all ships for free.
Well, one of a couple rumours.
Another rumour is that no matter what state the ship is in, the Bundeswehr will commission her in April.
Ah well, we'll see.
As far as I know neither design speed nor maneuverability were achieved during trials and the Marine obviously considers maneuverability more important than speed (which I find quite astonishing for a ship intended to fulfill AShW roles). And that the Marine will accept a lower top speed if the ARGE takes over costs for bow thrusters is more than just rumours, I guess.
Interesting, however, that >26 knots still appear in press releases.
And very understandably the Marine will definitely not buy any further ships of the class.
Interesting, however, that >26 knots still appear in press releases.
And very understandably the Marine will definitely not buy any further ships of the class.
The bow thrusters are somewhat important for self-deployability, even in Germany itself.
Not just to get to the quay by themselves in harbours (the frigates need to be towed for lack of maneuverability!), but also in particular in the Kiel canal, where a bow thruster would have likely prevented Braunschweig's little mishap with being pressed against the shore by side winds.
Not just to get to the quay by themselves in harbours (the frigates need to be towed for lack of maneuverability!), but also in particular in the Kiel canal, where a bow thruster would have likely prevented Braunschweig's little mishap with being pressed against the shore by side winds.
Quoting myself there - Emden got the job. Left Wilhelmshaven on January 30th, planned to stay in OEF until end of June.
Oh, and the EAV cruise just left Ghana.
Some nice pics of the German Task Group (moored in Simons Town Naval Base) to participate in Exercise Good Hope III with South African forces, has been posted here...
http://saairforce.co.za/forum/viewforum.php?f=3
(The link won't work properly.. so follow it and then go to the thread on Exercise Good Hope III.)
http://saairforce.co.za/forum/viewforum.php?f=3
(The link won't work properly.. so follow it and then go to the thread on Exercise Good Hope III.)
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contedicavour
New Member
Wow nice pics. The German Navy has better hang around in that region, since Germany has been scoring some impressive wins in tenders around the area recently (from the Meko 200 to the U209 to the still unclear contract with Angola).
cheers
"Good Hope" is a joint Luftwaffe/Marine exercise with their South-African counterparts, and by now a well-established series it seems.
Beneficial for both sides, as the SAN and SAAF get some training, while Germany gets to train "conventional naval warfare", and test out systems (such as F124 software upgrades). And it's about the only opportunity for the German Airforce and Navy to do live-fire anti-ship missile exercises with airborne assets.
The other markets in the area are somewhat... complicated. In particular as there's little money to be had there.
Namibia and Mozambique both mostly get handed-down vessels from the SAN; Namibia's Navy also has some connections to Brazil, while Mozambique has more recently been bolstered by (free) US handdowns.
contedicavour
New Member
True, but after the potential Angolan deal for a Meko 200, let's not forget Nigeria... they really need new ships and their largest ship is a Meko 360 of the 1980s..."Good Hope" is a joint Luftwaffe/Marine exercise with their South-African counterparts, and by now a well-established series it seems.
Beneficial for both sides, as the SAN and SAAF get some training, while Germany gets to train "conventional naval warfare", and test out systems (such as F124 software upgrades). And it's about the only opportunity for the German Airforce and Navy to do live-fire anti-ship missile exercises with airborne assets.
The other markets in the area are somewhat... complicated. In particular as there's little money to be had there.
Namibia and Mozambique both mostly get handed-down vessels from the SAN; Namibia's Navy also has some connections to Brazil, while Mozambique has more recently been bolstered by (free) US handdowns.
cheers
isn't the biggest problem with Nigirain MEKO 360 is that they can't afford to operate it [i rember reading about the difficulty of them getting it to Trafalgar 200 celebration's]
I could see Nigeria in the market for some cheap off-the-shelf large OPVHs to replace Aradu and those originally two Vosper Mk9 corvettes. Maybe the 450-ton Lürssen and 400-ton Combattante FACs too to some extent. All originally from the 70s, and pretty much inoperable.
Or rather: their entire combat force.
The vintage 1940's patrol ships that the USCG shafted them with 5 years ago probably won't make it more than a decade either.
And they really need some new light patrol/utility aircraft or helos for the Naval Air Arm.
Germany has only recently started to get into the OPV/coast guard market really. Angola would be the first significant sale in that regard for TKMS. I don't really see the money or capability to reliably operate frigates in Nigeria.
Or rather: their entire combat force.
The vintage 1940's patrol ships that the USCG shafted them with 5 years ago probably won't make it more than a decade either.
And they really need some new light patrol/utility aircraft or helos for the Naval Air Arm.
Germany has only recently started to get into the OPV/coast guard market really. Angola would be the first significant sale in that regard for TKMS. I don't really see the money or capability to reliably operate frigates in Nigeria.
contedicavour
New Member
True, but there's a lot of money from oil around and the democratic government is becoming stronger. With the lack of security in the oil-rich Delta region there is an urgent need to improve patrol capabilities.
While the old military regimes could have gone on a FFG buying spree for prestige reasons, now a democratic regime is likely to order a mix of OPVHs (on which France and Italy are better placed because of more experience - say, Comandanti or Saettia) and corvettes geared for land attack for tougher fights. This is where I would see K130s or MEKO140 such as the Malaysian ones.
cheers
I've done a [small series of posts] on my blog covering a conference last October about the new "Basis See" strategy.
Parts 4 and 5 are probably the more interesting ones for the general public.
Parts 4 and 5 are probably the more interesting ones for the general public.
Well, at least the USCG sold ships that were useful to Nigeria, although very old, they were in very good shape for their age. The Europeans, and the Soviets before, have sold much more technical ships to most of Africa, as in the case of Nigeria were unable to maintain the ships either due to the technical aspects or for economic reasons.
While the oil states of the Persian Gulf were able to afford these sophisticated ships, and maintain them, most of the African states couldn't. The vast majority of these states should be happy with useful patrol ships, whether inshore or offshore. Very few of these nations can afford a war, much less warships.
Well, its water over the dam now. But I hope these nations buy OPVs in the future instead of FAC that don't patrol their fisheries or their mineral wealth.
While the oil states of the Persian Gulf were able to afford these sophisticated ships, and maintain them, most of the African states couldn't. The vast majority of these states should be happy with useful patrol ships, whether inshore or offshore. Very few of these nations can afford a war, much less warships.
Well, its water over the dam now. But I hope these nations buy OPVs in the future instead of FAC that don't patrol their fisheries or their mineral wealth.
I think Germany should build at least two MHD 150. At the very least they would be useful in the Baltic Sea, and with UN missions abroad, whether peacekeeping or humanitarian. Germany will also find them easier to export if they build a few for themselves. Many nations prefer buying ships that are operational already.
Interesting. If the Bundeswehr needs 8000 to 13500 lane metres, it could met that with 3-5 ships (as you say) similar to the Point class (2600 lane metres) - which were, after all, German-designed & mostly German-built - if the ownership, or RN-style PFI option, is taken.
The Meko Multirole Auxiliary looks like a proposal to sneak an LHD into service while representing it as a logistics & replenishment ship.
As noted, Canada is interested in a JSS, Joint Support Ships. I believe Portugal and Sweden are also interested. New Zealand is interested in replacing their replenishment oiler with a JSS too, much alike Portugal their replenishment ship is getting old. Canada is thinking big with their JSS. I doubt whether Portugal or New Zealand are thinking that large. I have read that Denmark is thinking in similar terms of a JSS. There is no telling how many other nations are. Possibly South Africa?