NeWS
Kockums and its employees, as well as for the Swedish Navy. Mrs Glenda Morean-Phillip, accompanied by Mrs
Development work will now be able to continue, and this is Jennifer Boucaud-Blake, permanent secretary of Trinidad
important. The announcement also clearly signifies Sweden’s and Tobago’s Ministry for National Security, performed
intention to continue its commitment to its submarine force, the steel cutting ceremony at VTS’ advanced facilities in
which has been so successful,’ said Kockums’ spokesperson Portsmouth Naval Base.
Kjell Göthe. VT Shipbuilding Portsmouth managing director Francis
The following extract is taken from the Swedish Paonessa said: ‘The Trinidad and Tobago programme, in
Government press communiqué: ‘The Swedish Government addition to the start of work on three ships for Oman recently,
has approved placement of an order by the Swedish Armed will provide us with a healthy workload to 2011.’
Forces for the design phase of a next-generation submarine The OPVs are a new design that will be used to protect
(NGU). Actual procurement of such a vessel is dependent the rich oil and gas reserves located around Trinidad and
on a decision to be taken during 2008 concerning Swedish Tobago’s coastline. They will also be used for constabulary
Government approval for initiation of construction.’ roles such as environmental protection, fishery protection,
‘The Government believes that development of the and anti-drug operations. In addition, they will take on
submarine concept could offer the Swedish Armed Forces a regional security role for the wider Caribbean region,
a means of maintaining a cost-efficient submarine force including disaster response in the light of increased tropical
in the foreseeable future. Domestic development of such storm activity in the area.
a vessel could prove more economical than procurement The design has a speed of in excess of 25knots with an
of a corresponding platform on the international market. overall length of 90.5m. It can accommodate a total crew up
Domestic development of the submarine would also ensure to 70 covering all ranks, but is capable of being operated by a
retention of the majority of Sweden’s naval shipbuilding crew of just 34. Over and above this there is dormitory space
expertise, securing the country’s ability to maintain the for a further 50 troops.
submarines and surface combat ships that are currently in The long-range maritime patrol role is enabled by 35
service.’ days endurance and a range of up to 5000miles at 12knots.
‘Following completion of feasibility studies, the project will This allows the ships to poise at sea, and, when appropriate,
now move on to the design phase. A long-term analysis of close an area of interest to project force. Force projection is
the future submarine requirement will be conducted by the accomplished with the deployment of the ship’s armament,
Implementation Committee for Efficiency Optimisation in helicopter and boats, or complement of embarked troops.
Defence Materiel Procurement.’ The ship carries a high-speed interceptor and features a
20m long flight deck for a helicopter.
submarines There is also the flexibility to allow various cargo
Oyashio sub gets
combinations to be carried by making use of the space
on the flight deck. This provides the capability to carry a
Stirling AIP
combination of containers, stores, vehicles, scientific research
equipment, or other cargo. A 16tonne capacity crane enables
The first of the improved Oyashio class submarines for cargo to be discharged to a jetty.
the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) was Another interesting element is the through-life support
launched at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ shipyard in Kobe VT will give the vessels. VT will guarantee the T&T Defence
on 5 December 2007. Force Coast Guard use of the ships for 300 days a year,
Fitted with a Kockums Stirling Air Independent allowing the Coast Guard to concentrate on operations
Propulsion (AIP) system, the submarine was named Soryu, rather than maintenance activities.
and represents a major milestone in Kockums’ long term The first ship will be handed over in May 2009 with initial
relationship with Japan, in particular with its industrial crew set to arrive this summer for training to be undertaken
partner, Kawasaki Heavy Industries. by VT joint venture Flagship Training. As an interim, VT
An extensive programme has been undertaken in Japan is converting two offshore supply ships into Coastal Patrol
to evaluate Stirling AIP technology with the objective Vessels (CPVs) at a yard in Trinidad and Tobago.
of incorporating the technology on future JMSDF
submarines. Mine countermeasures
Programmes
Second minehunter
VT begins Trinidad &
for estonian Navy
Tobago OPVs
The second of three Sandown class mine countermeasures
vessels being regenerated by Babcock Marine for the
VT Shipbuilding (VTS) has commenced its second Estonian Navy was handed over and commissioned at a
major export programme in three months after the High ceremony at Rosyth on 24 January.
Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago started the official The former HMS Inverness, now re-named ENS
steel cutting process for the first of three Offshore Patrol Sakala, is the second of three minehunters sold to Estonia
Vessels (OPV) on 23 January. under an agreement signed on 14 September 2006. The
 Warship Technology March 2008
WT Mar - p4+6+7+8.indd 6 04/03/2008 09:23:24
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