Pakistan Navy's Chinese Submarines.

Pakistan Navy has recently announced a deal for eight variants of the Type 039 Yuan Class submarines from China, which shall be an addition to the Pakistan Navy Fleet. With some older submarines retiring, this seems a wise acquisition, but is there a slight oversight by the Navy in this deal?

With 4 submarines reported to be arriving in 2022-2023, and 4 more to be constructed in Karachi and handed over by 2028, the deal represents a tactical failure. With the world and technology moving apace, the submarines are in danger of being well out of date by the time all eight are operational. While they do represent an improvement for the Pakistan Navy, they are by no means the only subs needed. In a similar time frame, India is expected to add 15-20 Submarines, which means that the Naval Battle will not be any easier.


The Type 039A is China's first AIP powered submarine, and has the advantage of being one of the quietest submarines of its class, meaning it is significantly harder to detect. One of the greatest advantages for Pakistan is that construction at KSEW (Karachi Shipping and Engineering Works) means that great technical expertise will also be obtained, which will help Pakistan in furthering their own indigenous submarine ambitions.

The time frame though, could be better, and it is that alone which means that the deal turns from a good one, to one that might potentially be good.


Have any further knowledge? Please contribute by commenting below.

Details of new Chinese Sea Skimming Drone revealed

Details are emerging of a new anti-ship system being designed by China that is shaped like a traditional or conventional missile. However, towards the rear end, there is a change, in that it features two thick, long chord but with a short span wing structures, to form a wing like under surface.

 

 

Leaked Prototype

 

The photo, shown above, was shown on a Chinese forum initially, and is in Mandarin. The prototype has been tested on significantly lower weights than its maximum take-off weight, which is reported to be around 3,000 kg, by Jane's. However, it did achieve take off, and was powered by a turbojet engine, and can also be powered by a turbofan one, allowing it to cruise a maximum speed of Mach 0.65, at an altitude of at most 6m. Air is taken from the top, to avoid sea spray.

This latest technology is a sign of further Chinese progress in the field, and is another sign of their growing ambitions, in Asia, and in the World.

Ironclad Gloire

The Gloire(launched: 1859) was the first ever ocean-going ironclad warship. The ship was developed after the Crimean War when the French witnessed the awesome power of exploding shells. The old wooden ships were no match for the exploding shells, so to counter their effect, and to somewhat stabilize the balance of power between French and British navies, the French decided to develop a new warship.

The ship was designed by Dupuy de Lome. According to the design, the iron covered and shielded the wooden hull. It was powered by an internal steam engine, with 3 masts of sail. It was manned by 570 sailors. The Gloire was armed with 36 x 160mm rifled guns initially. Later the Glire was armed with 8 x 240mm Breech Loading(model 1864)guns, and 6 x 193mm Breech Loading guns(model 1866).

Although this ship can be considered to have caused a revolution in warship construction and design, its edge over the British Navy ships lasted for only a year, as in 1860 the British launched their own iron-hulled ironclad vessel HMS Warrior, as compared to wooden hulled Gloire.

Increasing Pakistan Naval Iran Cooperation

 Earlier last month Pakistan and Iran joint naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz. PN ships visited Iran after they were returning from Oman. According to a Pakistan Navy spokesman, this was a normal visit. According to analysts it was an attempt to normalize the relations between the two countries after recent tensions and did not hint at anything else.

From PN's side PNS Hashmat(Agosta-70 submarine) and PNS Quwwat(missile boat) took part. Iranian navy's warships taking part in the exercise were not known.

 And now according to the latest news Iranian Navy vessels are set to visit the Karachi port from 2nd May to 6th May. The ships are Khanjar, Falakhon, Hendijan, Daylam and Submarine Ghadir 953. The task force will be headed by Captain Abbas Ali Jahanbakhsh. It is anticipated that both navies may hold some drills at the end of the visit.

Now it may just be a courtesy call in response to PN's visit, as PN's visit was not given much importance by analysts either. Or we may see increased cooperation and more frequent exercises in the future.

H. L. Hunley(submarine)

  Specs:

Displacement:	7.5 short tons
Length:	40 ft (12.0 m)
Beam:	3.83 ft (1.17 m)
Propulsion:	Hand-cranked propeller
Speed:	4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) (surface)
Complement:	1 officer, 7 enlisted
Armament:	1 spar torpedo

CSS H. L. Hunley was the first submarine ever to sink a warship. It was named after its maker Horace L. Hunley. It was manned by a crew of 8 and was armed by only 1 spar torpedo.

On 17th Feb 1864 its commanding officer Lt. George Dixon spied a Union sloop Housatonic, moored near the  Battery Marshall. The commander seized this chance and took the submarine close to the ship, silently. The crew, then, were able to lodge the spar torpedo on the starboard(right) side of the sloop. The torpedo, when detonated, sank the sloop in just 5 minutes.

H. L. Hunley itself did not survive the confrontation, one can only speculate as to why it sank. The submarine was recovered in 2000 A.D.

Equipment Database

We have decided to create a little database of some military equipments(new/old), and this post is the first step in achieving our goal. All we need is your support. We will add more posts shortly for different equipments.
To make browsing, for different types of equipments easier, we will post an Equipments Category list on the sidebar.
Enjoy, and help us grow by sharing on social websites and following us!

NZ Seasprite Helicopter Project Approved

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says the government has approved the purchase of an upgraded and expanded Seasprite helicopter fleet for the New Zealand Defence Force.
A total of eight Seasprites (plus two spare airframes) will be purchased from the United States company Kaman Aerospace in a NZ$242 million dollar deal, which includes a training simulator, missiles, and additional components.
“The Defence Force currently has five Seasprites which have been in service since the late1990s and are due for replacement,” said Dr Coleman.
“This package from Kaman Aerospace will provide the Navy with an upgraded variant, the Seasprite SH-2G(I), and increase the fleet from five to eight helicopters. It will allow helicopters to be embarked on the two ANZAC-class frigates (Te Mana and Te Kaha) as well as the offshore patrol vessels and the multi-role ship HMNZS Canterbury,” he said.
“These helicopters come with modernised sensor, weapons and flight control systems and will be a major boost to our maritime surveillance and search capability. The helicopters will also ensure that our naval fleet is able to operate at its full potential,” said Dr Coleman.
The replacement helicopters were originally built for the Australian Defence Force. In 2009 the Australian government elected to cancel the contract and not to introduce them into service after questions about their suitability to meet Australia’s requirements.
“The New Zealand Defence Force and Ministry of Defence officials are acutely aware that the Australian government decided not to fully introduce these aircraft into service after concerns about a range of technical issues,” said Dr Coleman.
“As a consequence the New Zealand Ministry of Defence has invested considerable resources into examining all aspects of this project over the last two years. This included commissioning an independent study by Marinvent Corporation of Canada.”
“Ministry of Defence officials have advised the government this aircraft will prove a very capable purchase, meet all of the New Zealand Defence Force’s requirements, and can be introduced into service.”
“Based on this advice and after looking at other replacement options the government approved this project. The replacement Seasprites will have a multiplier effect on the capability of the Navy and what’s more the price is very good with alternative helicopter replacements costing three times the amount,” said Dr Coleman.
Questions & Answers
Why do we need new helicopters?

• The current Seasprite fleet is nearly 15 years old and some of the systems are failing. Spare parts are becoming scarce. Manufacturers no longer support some of the systems, and newer versions have improved capabilities.
• The current fleet of five helicopters is too small. Only two aircraft are regularly available for use on the Navy’s ships (one is used for training and two are in maintenance).
• Five of the Navy’s ships can operate a helicopter. This is up from three when the current Seasprites were acquired. To get full value from our investment in the frigates and other naval vessels, we need a larger fleet of helicopters with upgraded components and better communications capability.

What does the Kaman package include?

• The Kaman package consists of ten Super Seasprite helicopters (two will be used as spares), a full motion flight simulator, training aids, spares inventory and publications.

How do the new aircraft differ from the current fleet?

• The new aircraft have updated flight control systems and modern radar and sensors. They also have a modern communications system that allows sensor data to be shared between the helicopter and ship.
• The new sensors provide a much greater range and ability for surveillance and search and rescue.

Has the NZDF tested the aircraft?

• Defence Force personnel have conducted several evaluation flights in one of these helicopters. The pilot and crew members were impressed by the step-up in capabilities these new aircraft will bring to the Defence Force.
• Separately, Marinvent Corporation, the Canadian airworthiness expert contracted by Defence to examine the aircraft, were involved in flight trials as part of their own evaluation process.

What missile does the new Seasprite carry?

• Our current fleet of Seasprites carries a Maverick missile, which is a general-purpose air-to-surface missile, designed for use against ground targets and shipping. The new aircraft will carry the Penguin missile, which is an anti-ship missile.
• The Penguin is a better missile. It is bigger, faster, has a warhead three times the size of the Maverick, has twice the range, and once launched the aircraft is free to turn-away. The Penguin can also perform random weaving manoeuvres and strike the target close to the waterline, making it more difficult to counter.

Are these new aircraft?

• Unlike the current New Zealand Seasprite fleet which were new at the time of purchase, Australia chose to refurbish former US Navy airframes.
• The practice of refurbishing airframes is common. It involves a complete re-build of the body to a point where it is regarded as new and the fitting of new avionics, engines, wiring, software, fittings, and weapons and sensor systems. The aircraft have a service life out to 2030.
• Refurbished aircraft are common to all defence forces, and the Seasprite airframes will be no different in age to our upgraded C-130 Hercules and P3K2 Orions, except the entire Seasprite fleet only has a total of 1200 flying hours.

Why would these helicopters be suitable when Australia cancelled its contract?

• At the time Australia bought 11 Seasprites for $1 billion but decided to add bespoke enhancements, including a sophisticated computer controlled flight operating system. After a series of delays, project management issues, and cost over-runs the Australian government cancelled the project.
• A key issue was the Australian Defence Force specified an aircraft that could be flown by a two-person crew and have a computer flight system that could operate the aircraft with “no hands” on the controls.
• The NZDF has a different requirement. It will operate the aircraft with a three-person crew, as is current practice with its standard operating procedure for pilots to retain a hold on the controls at all times. The “no-hands” requirement is not being adopted.
• All other technical issues have been resolved by Kaman who continued to further develop the aircraft after Australia cancelled the contract.

When will the aircraft arrive?

• The aircraft are currently in storage in Connecticut, USA. They will need to be returned to flying condition, and undergo some minor modifications to suit New Zealand’s requirements. The NZDF will undertake the usual airworthiness and certification process in preparation for operational flying.
• The first three aircraft are due in New Zealand in late 2014. The fleet should all be in service during 2016.

What is a breakdown in the purchase price?

• The purchase price includes $US120 million (about $NZ147 million) for the 8 aircraft going into service and two further airframes. The additional project costs are for missiles, the flight simulator, ship decklock modification, additional components, testing and introduction into service activities.