All this talk on a West African Coast Guard...

[rossfrb_1]

{snip}
whereas with the Pacific patrol boat program Australia cranked out over 20 patrol boats of the same class. You won't find this economy of scale in Africa.

Its easy as a Westerner to say their defenses should have a priority. But when half the population drinks water from the river they pee in, well, one would think clean water is of a higher priority.

Here is a link to a list of small African navies from another website:
http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/africa/africa.htm

Not quite west Africa, but close, similar issues to I would think.
Yemen bought an instant 'navy'
http://www.austal.com/index.cfm?objectid=449F72C8-A0CC-3C8C-D9C2324DDAC2C2D0

"......37.5 metre deep V monohulls offer exceptional value for money by combining commercial shipbuilding techniques and commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment. The aluminium construction contributes to both excellent high speed performance and through-life economies due to reduced propulsive power and maintenance requirements. The boats are powered by twin 1305kW Caterpillar diesels and have a sprint speed of 29 knots and an operating range exceeding 1000 nautical miles. They will be armed with a 25mm twin-barrelled naval gun and two 12.7mm heavy machine guns. The three crew and 16 sailors will be well accommodated with separate mess areas, laundry, galley and an operations room....."

cheers
rb

 

[contedicavour]

You'll notice that most of these Horn of Africa nations have some sort of patrol boats and craft, from 6 metres to 70-metres in length, most were given to them as foreign aid. None of their shorelines are large. But you'll notice that the hog podge of patrol boats and craft are of different sizes, classes, and age, but all are suitable for customs and inshore patrolling. A few of thes boats are useful out to the 200-mile EEZ limit.

They are of British, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Danish, and American makes. Its not like they don't have anything, they do, but their boats are mostly small. What concerns me the most is that they are usually ordered in ones and twos, whereas with the Pacific patrol boat program Australia cranked out over 20 patrol boats of the same class. You won't find this economy of scale in Africa.

Its easy as a Westerner to say their defenses should have a priority. But when half the population drinks water from the river they pee in, well, one would think clean water is of a higher priority.

Here is a link to a list of small African navies from another website:
http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/africa/africa.htm

Ok then let's go for a proposal for an African version of the "Pacific patrol boat programme" with bids issued by the EU or the UN. Armed with 12.7mm they will be considered almost civilian / coast guard.
The programme will be paid for by member states but construction will be done in the winning country.
Basically we need 10 patrol boats around 30-metres (I have in mind the Bigliani class 30-metre 42-knot used by our Guardia di Finanza to intercept illegal trafficking of human beings, drugs, weapons, etc, although the armament is heavier 30mm automatic gun) for a unitary cost of 20 million USD over a 5-year period. => each year 200/5=40 million USD spread among the EU members would be a really small expenditure.

cheers

 

[Sea Toby]

I was thinking in terms of a larger ship, such as a 60-85 meter ocean patrol vessel, similar to the Irish or New Zealand OPVs. They cost around $50 million American, 8-10 spread about should do the job of EEZ and fishery protection for most of the West Coast of Africa. And it wouldn't hurt to provide several nations 2-3 smaller boats for inshore duties, as you suggested a 30-meter boat would be appropriate.

As long as they are of the same class, it really don't matter which nation or nations built them. A real commitment for this aid program in numbers, plus support and training, over a period of 20-30 years, would provide these nations the tools so that they can do the tasks required. Many of these nations have some assets today which can be used until they are paid off, but the goal should be providing eventually these nations ships and boats of the same class.

Ones and twos of different types from several sources of foreign aid does not provide the economy of scale especially for spare parts as one class of OPVs and one class of IPVs throughout the region.

After World War II the American navy sold many of its surplus Gearing and Fletcher class destroyers throughout the world. Most of the Latin American navies had several of each until the 1980s which replaced pre-World War II stock. This is what I mean by economy of scale.

 

[Jtimes2]

Ok then let's go for a proposal for an African version of the "Pacific patrol boat programme" with bids issued by the EU or the UN. Armed with 12.7mm they will be considered almost civilian / coast guard.
The programme will be paid for by member states but construction will be done in the winning country.
Basically we need 10 patrol boats around 30-metres (I have in mind the Bigliani class 30-metre 42-knot used by our Guardia di Finanza to intercept illegal trafficking of human beings, drugs, weapons, etc, although the armament is heavier 30mm automatic gun) for a unitary cost of 20 million USD over a 5-year period. => each year 200/5=40 million USD spread among the EU members would be a really small expenditure.

cheers

That's actually a pretty good idea (the "African patrol boat programme") and Litton-Ingalls Shipyard actually proposed a plan a few years back for a series of vessels for 3rd World navies; ranging from patrol launches to frigates. The ships were simple, using already-established sensors and radars. The ships were designed with as many common engines, systems, etc as possible to simplify spare parts sourcing; and also; ease interoperability with neighboring navies who would (presumably) also operate the types. Nothing ever became of it although the "corvette" entrant was bought as the Saar V by Israel.

I like the Guardia di Finanza; they're a really well-equipped and professional Coast Guard. Instead of the Bigliani class, perhaps the Antonia Zara instead? They are cheap and small, but equipped with a 76mm OTO-Melara. They are good in open seas and forward-operate out of Valetta a lot.

Excellent comments!

 

[Sea Toby]

Yes, a similar program would work wonders in Africa. Without any doubt, the Australian Pacific Patrol Boat program has been one of the best foreign aid programs of the world. Its much better to provide the boats, training, support, and the mid-life refits to these nations than sending one of your own patrol boats. These nations gain skills in operating and maintaining the boats, and eventually fulfill the mission tasks wonderfully. The pride of each nation ensures a victory in the fight against illegal fishing, protecting their EEZs, policing their ports, plus search and rescue.

Yes, this program has cost Australia considerable funds. For the price of one frigate over a period of 30-40 years, this program continues to shine. And the benefits to Australia have been wonderful, these nations have provided the operational funds and personnel which have made the seas of the South Pacific safer, the same seas that are Australia's trading routes, their sea lanes of communication.

 

[contedicavour]

That's actually a pretty good idea (the "African patrol boat programme") and Litton-Ingalls Shipyard actually proposed a plan a few years back for a series of vessels for 3rd World navies; ranging from patrol launches to frigates. The ships were simple, using already-established sensors and radars. The ships were designed with as many common engines, systems, etc as possible to simplify spare parts sourcing; and also; ease interoperability with neighboring navies who would (presumably) also operate the types. Nothing ever became of it although the "corvette" entrant was bought as the Saar V by Israel.

I like the Guardia di Finanza; they're a really well-equipped and professional Coast Guard. Instead of the Bigliani class, perhaps the Antonia Zara instead? They are cheap and small, but equipped with a 76mm OTO-Melara. They are good in open seas and forward-operate out of Valetta a lot.

Excellent comments!

Thks Jtimes ! The Zara class is a good 50-metre FAC with considerable autonomy and I agree with you it would be better in the Atlantic Ocean than the smaller Bigliani. The only problem with the Zara-s is that they are a relatively old design (developed in the '80s for export to Thailand and other countries). The best design so far in Italy among ships of this size is the Saettia (5 bldg for the Coast Guard), based on the "Destriero" design which won several speed contests and is the forerunner of several of today's civilian fast transport ships (40 knots+) in the Mediterrenean.

cheers

 

[fylr71]

Nigeria would love to have ships such as the Commandante or OPV. Money however ( at leat in the case of Nigeria) although important is not the only thing that is keeping them from attaining these vessels. Nigeria sits on a large oil reserve and could at least in theory buy almost anything they want. One issue is with the tremendous corruption that goes on. Another issue is the personnel who crew these vessels. Nigeria does not have the ability to train their poorly motivated and paid sailors to operate a highly technologically advanced vessel like the Commandante. Another issue is maintainence. Nigeria simply does not have enough personnel with the skills necessary to maintain even one such boat. These issues all come together to block Nigeria form obtaining ships like Commandante. Lets say somehow the leaders of Nigeria agreed to purchase a Commandante class ships from Italy. They would need the Italians to provide training for the cres and maintainence personnel this would increase the price drastically. Althogh the government might be able to come up with the money, the chance of it all getting to the right places is miniscule with all the corruption. The best way for Nigeria to go would be first to realize what their objectives are (combat piracy off their coast). The would soon realize that they do not need some advanced ship like what other countries are currently producing ( Sa'ar 5, Commandante, OPV, Visby, ect.) I can't imagine that these pirates are armed with anything that uses radar or infared to locate an enemy. They are probably armed with Ak-47's, heavy machine guns, RPG's, and maybe some old light cannons such as 37mm. Therefore the Nigerians need only equip their navy with ships that may appear outdated and totally useless to the west but would be perfect for their needs.

 

[contedicavour]

Nigeria would love to have ships such as the Commandante or OPV. Money however ( at leat in the case of Nigeria) although important is not the only thing that is keeping them from attaining these vessels. Nigeria sits on a large oil reserve and could at least in theory buy almost anything they want. One issue is with the tremendous corruption that goes on. Another issue is the personnel who crew these vessels. Nigeria does not have the ability to train their poorly motivated and paid sailors to operate a highly technologically advanced vessel like the Commandante. Another issue is maintainence. Nigeria simply does not have enough personnel with the skills necessary to maintain even one such boat. These issues all come together to block Nigeria form obtaining ships like Commandante. Lets say somehow the leaders of Nigeria agreed to purchase a Commandante class ships from Italy. They would need the Italians to provide training for the cres and maintainence personnel this would increase the price drastically. Althogh the government might be able to come up with the money, the chance of it all getting to the right places is miniscule with all the corruption. The best way for Nigeria to go would be first to realize what their objectives are (combat piracy off their coast). The would soon realize that they do not need some advanced ship like what other countries are currently producing ( Sa'ar 5, Commandante, OPV, Visby, ect.) I can't imagine that these pirates are armed with anything that uses radar or infared to locate an enemy. They are probably armed with Ak-47's, heavy machine guns, RPG's, and maybe some old light cannons such as 37mm. Therefore the Nigerians need only equip their navy with ships that may appear outdated and totally useless to the west but would be perfect for their needs.

I agree with you most local "pirates" can be tackled with unsophisticated ships. The mission I would use larger OPVs for would be offshore oil fields' protection. Some are too far away for smaller patrol ships, and having an embarked helo (like the Agusta A109s Nigeria has) would be a real plus.
Another mission which would make larger OPVs useful would be counter-guerrilla missions in places like Sierra Leone or Liberia, to protect capital cities on the ocean.

cheers