03.09.2003, 17:37
In what will be a major boost to its power-projection capability, the Spanish Navy is planning to acquire a long-range land-attack missile, four new S-80 submarines, a strategic projection ship and a second afloat replenishment vessel under the ARMADA XXI force-definition plan.
Speaking at the IQPC Future Naval Plans and Requirements conference in London in May, Cdr (Capt select) Ignacio Horcada, head of the service's strategic planning branch, said that the Spanish government's recently completed strategic defence review foreshadowed the reshaping of the navy to better contribute to expeditionary operations at range. "Naval forces, while maintaining their ability to ensure the defence and control of national waters, will be focused towards operations in distant littoral scenarios," he told delegates. "This will be enabled by ARMADA XXI, which realises the required operational capabilities [projection, protection, freedom of action, logistic support, maritime action and early warning] through a series of major capital projects."
Cdr Horcada added: "We have changed from a force-planning approach based on assessment of specific risks and threats. Instead, we have now adopted a capability-based approach that sets out levels of effort and force elements to be delivered concurrently.
"Our goal is to commit assets to lead a multinational maritime task group with brigade-size lift at a range of up to 3,600nm for up to two months. At the same time, we also want to be able to commit a pair of surface combatants to two separate distant scenarios, have two mine- countermeasures vessels attached to a multinational force, and maintain two submarines on patrol - one in distant waters, one closer to home."
According to Cdr (Capt select) José Ruesta, head of the operational requirements branch, the ARMADA XXI force-planning process has identified five major programmes underpinning the navy's future operational capabilities. "The F-100 frigate programme is already ongoing," he said. "Major new projects comprise the strategic projection ship, a second combat support ship, the S-80 submarine class, and mid-life upgrades for the carrier Principe de Asturias and the six Santa Maria (FFG-7)-class frigates."
Four F-100 frigates are due in service by early 2006, and there is some discussion in the Naval Staff about the procurement of an additional two ships. Originally acquired as air-defence ships, the ARMADA XXI plan is now driving an enhanced Baseline S2, which adds significant extra capabilities.
"Baseline S2 turns the F-100 into a multi-mission surface combatant," said Cdr Ruesta, "by adding the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile for local-area defence, the Co-operative Engagement Capability and a land-attack missile. We are also conducting studies as to a possible maritime theatre ballistic missile defence role, leveraging the existing SPY-1D radar and AEGIS combat system."
He added: "Regarding the land-attack missile, our first choice is the [US Navy's] Tactical Tomahawk, but there are, of course, issues on the release of such technology. The alternative is the naval variant of the SCALP missile, but that is still some way away."
A definition study for the 27,000-ton strategic projection ship - or LL - was awarded to shipbuilder Izar in April this year. "Conceived as a multipurpose air-capable platform, the LL will be used for air assault, amphibious operations, tactical transport and humanitarian relief missions," said Cdr Ruesta. "The design will be sized to take the short take-off and vertical landing variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and will be fitted with a ski-ramp on the bow.
"The flight deck will have six spots sized for NH 90 transport helicopters," he added. "There will also be a well dock in the stern capable of embarking four LCM-1E landing craft. Crew size will be 243, with space aboard for 1,440 people."
Current plans call for the LL to enter service in late 2007/early 2008. "We are negotiating with Izar as to the contract value," said Cdr Ruesta. "With judicious use of commercial build standards in large parts of the ship, we think we can achieve a price of about EUR350 million [$404 million]."
An order for four S-80 submarines is expected to be awarded to Izar in the next few months. "We have completed the definition of the design and anticipate getting the first boat around 2010," said Cdr Ruesta. Plans call for the S-80 to be equipped with a land-attack missile.It is planned to order a second auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) vessel derived from the design of the AOR Patino. "However, the new ship will be double-hulled and slightly larger overall," commented Cdr Ruesta.
Modernisation of the Principe de Asturias and the Santa Maria-class frigates will address materiel obsolescence, habitability and combat system capability shortfalls. "We're looking to adapt sensors and weapons to meet the littoral scenario, which means improving capabilities in anti-ship missile defence and against asymmetric surface threats," explained Cdr Ruesta.
"We're also looking at improving the dissemination and display of command information. Another goal is to improve living spaces and systems so as to improve the quality of life for the sailors on board."
The strategic projection ship (side view shown) is one modernisation project Cdr José Ruesta recently identified as being key to the Spanish Navy's future operational capabilities.
Die klotzen ziemlich ran,außerdem erscheint mir die Summe von 350 Millionen Euro etwas wenig für ein 27000 Tonnen Schiff.Ändert sich nach diesen Aquisitions etwas im Ranking von Spanien in den Euro Top 10 Navies?
Speaking at the IQPC Future Naval Plans and Requirements conference in London in May, Cdr (Capt select) Ignacio Horcada, head of the service's strategic planning branch, said that the Spanish government's recently completed strategic defence review foreshadowed the reshaping of the navy to better contribute to expeditionary operations at range. "Naval forces, while maintaining their ability to ensure the defence and control of national waters, will be focused towards operations in distant littoral scenarios," he told delegates. "This will be enabled by ARMADA XXI, which realises the required operational capabilities [projection, protection, freedom of action, logistic support, maritime action and early warning] through a series of major capital projects."
Cdr Horcada added: "We have changed from a force-planning approach based on assessment of specific risks and threats. Instead, we have now adopted a capability-based approach that sets out levels of effort and force elements to be delivered concurrently.
"Our goal is to commit assets to lead a multinational maritime task group with brigade-size lift at a range of up to 3,600nm for up to two months. At the same time, we also want to be able to commit a pair of surface combatants to two separate distant scenarios, have two mine- countermeasures vessels attached to a multinational force, and maintain two submarines on patrol - one in distant waters, one closer to home."
According to Cdr (Capt select) José Ruesta, head of the operational requirements branch, the ARMADA XXI force-planning process has identified five major programmes underpinning the navy's future operational capabilities. "The F-100 frigate programme is already ongoing," he said. "Major new projects comprise the strategic projection ship, a second combat support ship, the S-80 submarine class, and mid-life upgrades for the carrier Principe de Asturias and the six Santa Maria (FFG-7)-class frigates."
Four F-100 frigates are due in service by early 2006, and there is some discussion in the Naval Staff about the procurement of an additional two ships. Originally acquired as air-defence ships, the ARMADA XXI plan is now driving an enhanced Baseline S2, which adds significant extra capabilities.
"Baseline S2 turns the F-100 into a multi-mission surface combatant," said Cdr Ruesta, "by adding the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile for local-area defence, the Co-operative Engagement Capability and a land-attack missile. We are also conducting studies as to a possible maritime theatre ballistic missile defence role, leveraging the existing SPY-1D radar and AEGIS combat system."
He added: "Regarding the land-attack missile, our first choice is the [US Navy's] Tactical Tomahawk, but there are, of course, issues on the release of such technology. The alternative is the naval variant of the SCALP missile, but that is still some way away."
A definition study for the 27,000-ton strategic projection ship - or LL - was awarded to shipbuilder Izar in April this year. "Conceived as a multipurpose air-capable platform, the LL will be used for air assault, amphibious operations, tactical transport and humanitarian relief missions," said Cdr Ruesta. "The design will be sized to take the short take-off and vertical landing variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and will be fitted with a ski-ramp on the bow.
"The flight deck will have six spots sized for NH 90 transport helicopters," he added. "There will also be a well dock in the stern capable of embarking four LCM-1E landing craft. Crew size will be 243, with space aboard for 1,440 people."
Current plans call for the LL to enter service in late 2007/early 2008. "We are negotiating with Izar as to the contract value," said Cdr Ruesta. "With judicious use of commercial build standards in large parts of the ship, we think we can achieve a price of about EUR350 million [$404 million]."
An order for four S-80 submarines is expected to be awarded to Izar in the next few months. "We have completed the definition of the design and anticipate getting the first boat around 2010," said Cdr Ruesta. Plans call for the S-80 to be equipped with a land-attack missile.It is planned to order a second auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) vessel derived from the design of the AOR Patino. "However, the new ship will be double-hulled and slightly larger overall," commented Cdr Ruesta.
Modernisation of the Principe de Asturias and the Santa Maria-class frigates will address materiel obsolescence, habitability and combat system capability shortfalls. "We're looking to adapt sensors and weapons to meet the littoral scenario, which means improving capabilities in anti-ship missile defence and against asymmetric surface threats," explained Cdr Ruesta.
"We're also looking at improving the dissemination and display of command information. Another goal is to improve living spaces and systems so as to improve the quality of life for the sailors on board."
The strategic projection ship (side view shown) is one modernisation project Cdr José Ruesta recently identified as being key to the Spanish Navy's future operational capabilities.
Die klotzen ziemlich ran,außerdem erscheint mir die Summe von 350 Millionen Euro etwas wenig für ein 27000 Tonnen Schiff.Ändert sich nach diesen Aquisitions etwas im Ranking von Spanien in den Euro Top 10 Navies?