IMDEX ASIA 97
Sponsored by EDS
IMDEX ASIA 97 MEETS ASIAN NAVIES REQUIREMENTS
Many nations now recognise that future naval operations are likely to involve the concept of littoral warfare encompassing both economic blockade and amphibious campaigns. This, it is argued, will form the major pillar of military operations in the forseeable future. In this scenario naval forces are at their most vulnerable, subject both to land-based air attack and attack by powerful underwater forces employing the latest stealth technologies, including conventional diesel-electric submarines fitted with AIP systems, and modern mines. It is this growing realisation of the importance of littoral warfare which is now impacting on many naval programmes around the world.
Since 1945 the Asia/Pacific region has experienced more conflicts than any other, the causes of which have been numerous, ranging from struggles to gain regional supremacy; ideological differences; the race to gain maximum economic advantage from the vast range of underwater mineral deposits and oil; to religious and political confrontation. These have all combined to create serious flashpoints in the region and pose a considerable strain on international relations.
The region is one of the most prosperous in the world, with some of the fastest growing economies and increasing defence budgets, of which the naval portion amounts to about a quarter. In recent years effort has concentrated on strengthening and modernising land and air forces. During the last decade, however, there has been a major shift in emphasis, with naval forces undergoing major expansion progrmmes to enable them to project their influence over a wider and wider area in order to protect national interests and to defend offshore economic resources. This build up of naval forces is likely to continue well into the next decade as the role of many of the region's navies perceptibly changes from brown water (riverine) and coastal patrol forces into full blue water forces.
Much of the naval expansion in recent years has concentrated on the development of modern surface forces and adequate shore-based infrastructure for logistic support, with the main effort being devoted to developing adequate anti-air warfare and anti-surface warfare capabilities. Surface warship acquisitions have been primarily fast attack craft and corvettes and more recently light frigates and destroyers. However, in the light of the emergence of littoral warfare as the likely scenario for future naval conflicts, together with the increasing spread of submarines and mines, a number of nations are now turning their attention to developing their ASW and mine warfare capabilities. Some are currently seeking to acquire submarines, while those with an existing underwater fleet are carrying out a major upgrading of their hulls and equipment. Major developments in mine warfare are also currently underway, both in the acquisiton of MCMVs and in mines themselves.
In Australia a number of major programmes have been undertaken with the construction of frigates, submarines and MCMVs. The ANZAC frigate programme, the first units of which are now commissioning, comprises six units for Australia and two for New Zealand which are being built to German Blohm & Voss MEKO design. These are powerful units with a multi-role capability. Although only just entering service, these frigates are already scheduled to receive an anti-air warfare (AAW) upgrade to incorporate a phased array radar for which European and US companies exhibiting at IMDEX '97will be keen to compete. The Swedish CelciusTech command system will also be upgraded to handle new AAW missiles. The 'Adelaide' class (US FFG 7) frigates will also be upgraded to deal with simultaneous multiple threat scenarios, and will be given an enhanced anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capability with a new radar and communications suite and an improved variant of the US Harpoon missile. The anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability will also be upgraded and a mine avoidance capability installed. The navy is also building up its mine countermeasures (MCM) capability and has embarked on the construction of 'Huon' class MCMVs, the lead ship of which will be launched on July 25. The six vessels are being built to an Italian modified 'Gaeta' design. The minehunting equipment comprises systems supplied by GEC-Marconi Systems Pty (the NAUTIS M), Thomson Marconi Sonar (Type 2093 sonar) and Swedish Bofors Double Eagle ROV. The Navy is also taking delivery of six 'Collins' class submarines, the third having been recently launched. Much of the equipment is of American origin with sonars supplied by Thomson Marconi Sonar Pty. Studies are also underway into a new surface combatant and a new Offshore Patrol Combatant (OPC) to be ordered around the year 2000. A force of up to 12 vessels is needed which will be capable of operating in coastal and inshore regions in support of fleet oeprations. For the ANZAC frigates both Australia and New Zealand have selected the US Kaman Seasprite helicopter which may be adapted to deploy either the Norwegian Penguin or British Sea Skua missile. The Australian defence industry is now highly developed and seeks to become a major supplier of naval systems in the region.
South Korea is fast developing into a major blue water navy and will soon begin to take delivery of the new KDX destroyers. On order are 12 units equipped with a locally-built variant of the SSCS system developed by BAeSEMA in Britain, and Dutch radars and German hull mounted sonars for surveillance. A towed array sonar may be added later. South Korea is also in the early stages of defining the requirement for a new class of AAW destroyer based on the KDX, with an in-service date of around 2005. A new 750 tonne MCMV design is in hand with orders for up to seven units expected shortly, with construction due to commence around the turn of the century.
Japan will shortly commission the fourth and last 'Kongo' class destroyer, an enlarged variant of the US 'Arleigh Burke' design. Four units of the smaller 'Murasame' class destroyer are also under construction, together with three Improved 'Harushio' class submarines. In the MCM field the Maritime Defence Force operates the most modern and sophisticated force in the region and new MCM support vessels are building, while a new minesweeper design has been approved and two units are on order.
China is making prodigious efforts to expand the PLA Navy into a powerful blue water force and to modernise with up-to-date technology. High priority has been placed on building up a modern submarine arm and the navy is investing in new technology. Under consideration and design are new nuclear attack submarines, a new strategic missile submarine design and the purchase of diesel-electric 'Kilo' class boats from Russia. In this way China hopes to be able to jump a few generations of submarine technolgoy to bring her submarine arm in line with modern boats in service elsewhere in the world.
Faced with the growing obsolescence of a number of its major units the Indian Navy is keen to enhance its capabilities. The most urgent priority is to replace the two carriers which have now reached the end of their service life. It is understood that any replacement will be a small vessel, probably similar in size to the new Thai carrier, and will be of new build. Among new vessels currently under construction are three 'Brahmaputra' class frigates and four 'Delhi' class destroyers. These latter are equipped with a French sonar and indigenously manufactured variable depth sonar. The only new project underway for the future is the Frigate 2000, orders for which are not likely to be placed before the year 2000 at the very earliest. The Navy is also to purchase two more 'Kilo' class submarines from Russia.
Thailand possesses one of the smaller navies in the region, and has just taken delivery of the first air-capable warship in the SE Asia region. This is a new offshore patrol helicopter carrier built by Bazan of Spain. The prime functions of the new carrier are Search and Rescue, disaster relief, EEZ surveillance and environmental protection. The vessel also has the potential for use as a regional sea control asset in a crisis situation with its flagship command facilities and embarked air wing of AV-8S Matador STOVL aircraft purchased from Spain. The Navy is also seeking to build up a submarine force and plans to acquire submarines at some future date. In addition two 'Gaeta' type minehunters have recently been ordered from Intermarine of Italy, and six Chinese-built frigates have been acquired.
Another country building up a major naval capability is Taiwan which plans to field a navy with an eventual strength of 25 modern frigates to be built over a 5-year period. The navy is currently commissioning six French-built 'La Fayette' design frigates equipped with the British/French ATAS towed array sonar.
Indonesia, with limited financial resources available for naval defence and an enormous EEZ to patrol, has, in the past, opted to acquire second-hand hulls, primarily British, Dutch and former East German. Many of the units currently in service require extensive upgrading to make them capable of operating effectively in a modern threat scenario, and the navy will have to take difficult decisions regarding upgrading and modernisation by the end of the next decade.
Another navy undergoing expansion and modernisation is the Malaysian navy, which plans to acquire up to 54 new vessels under a programme scheduled to run until 2010. The navy will shortly take delivery of two British-built frigates fitted with a range of highly sophisticated equipment supplied by European companies, and four 'Assad' corvettes originally built for Iraq and purchased from Italy. There are also plans to acquire up to 27 patrol vessels designed to replace obsolete hulls now in service.
The high-tech Singapore navy is also developing a modern capability and is continuing to expand, although there is no pretence towards becoming a blue water navy in the immediate future. The core of the navy is built around heavily armed missile corvettes. Recently the navy has acquired an ex-Swedish submarine, and is interested in developing a submarine capability.
The Philippines Navy is anticipating major naval expansion and modernisation with plans to acquire OPVs, corvettes and frigates. Likewise, Vietnam is starting to rebuild its navy and is acquiring Russian-built 'Tarantul' corvettes. Further construction of missile craft will be undertaken in Vietnam with Russian assistance. Finally, Brunei is to acquire three new 95m OPVs primarily outfitted with equipment from the UK, with Yarrow shipbuilders as the prime contractor.
The maritime expansion in this region has been triggered by burgeoning economies, an unprecedented growth in national flag merchant fleets, and a major increase in seaborne trade within the region, which hosts extensive shipping and trading interests. In addition, most nations consider maritime surveillance to be essential to monitor the dense shipping traffic passing through the region, and to patrol and protect the rich offshore resources, and to control unlawful activities such as piracy, illegal immigration, drug smuggling and unlicenced fishing.
In the past navies in the SE Asia/Pacific region have been heavily reliant on equipment provided by American companies. This picture is now changing, and European companies are strongly challenging the domination of American electronics and weapons companies, and have won a number of highly important contracts to supply both new-build warships and modern equipment and systems to upgrade existing hulls. In addition, a number of countries in the region are developing their own indigenous defence electronics industry and are seeking co-operative agreements with European companies for the transfer of technology. Both India and South Korea are developing an extensive defence electronics capability well able to supply domestic needs and in the future will be making a determined effort to supply the needs of the region. However, they will face strong competition from Australian companies seeking to supply their latest technology.
The naval exhibition IMDEX 97 currently being held in Singapore will doubtless attract a wide amount of interest, for many of the companies exhibiting have already supplied much of the wide diversity of naval equipment currently in use throughout the region. This capability will be further emphasised by the large number of foreign warships present, on which visitors to the exhibition will be able to see much of the new technology and systems now entering service in Western navies, and which will be on offer to the navies of the region.
Anthony J.Watts
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