As you say, lots of possibilities, but time is running out to replace the Type 21 Amazon, and the PN cannot rely only on F22P (not enough, and too weak on AAW especially).
the T22B3 the contract should indicate that the R.N are committed to keeping them in service for the foreseeable future. the used warship market seems to have dried up in recent years
The next batch of used ships will include German Bremen, Italian Maestrale, French Leygues, but none of this will be available before 2012... the PN should have woken up to the previous wave of British, Dutch and American ships...
do you think any t42 will join the used market after they have been stripped of the handy stuff.
Would it be possible to have a suitable PESA/AESA radar to use on the MILGEM as opposed to Arabel or Herakles...or scaled-down version of Herakles? I mean retain enough range to properly exploit Aster-15? That is the perception I got from DCN when it said that Gowind-200 could use Aster-15. The other option could be an upgraded version of the Umkhonto-R boasting similar range and intercept-altitude as Aster-15.
The Aster-15 have more than just longer range on their side in a comparison with the Umkhonto. They are designed to intercept incoming supersonic SSMs, while the lighter and slower Umkhonto are more conceived to shoot down enemy helos or UAVs. Just increasing range with an increased range Umkhonto wouldn't change it into an Aster (or ESSM).
I don't think there are at the moment customer requirements for Gowinds equipped with Empar or Herakles and Asters. Steel doesn't cost much, so if you want to spend on sophisticated AAW systems then just go for the real thing, ie FREMM. Otherwise if you are looking for self defence AAW on a smaller platform take Gowind and Mica...
Yep but look at the DCN pictures - there is no Herakles visible on the ship
and DCN claims Aster 15 compatibility on all of the Gowind family, even the type 120 which is only 1250 tonne and 80 meters long - hence I don't consider their remark as realistic...I guess it would probably mean that the customer would have to pay for the development of a suitable radar? Or that since no one actually ordered the Gowind or the Aster-15 for a 2000 ton vessel, Thales has not invested in the radar. However I think like Gowind-200 & the Marlin SSK, a radar in the conceptual stage should exist somewhere...just someone ought to pay.Yep but look at the DCN pictures - there is no Herakles visible on the ship
cheers
My understanding is that MICA already has a range > to that of RAM or Umkhonto (which are about 10km range). After checking in the internet most range data regards the air to air missile... though if the seeker has a range of 50-60km in air to air it would make sense its ground to air equivalent should be > 10km... if somebody has some solid data, please help
don't put too much hope on these advertising. Generally speaking, I think you are simply overcrowding the ship when you are trying put VL SAM on a ship of < 2000 tonne in displacement.
Okay so this confirms range is > RAM and Umkhonto. Better choice provided there is enough space to fit VLS... otherwise RAM launchers are much more easily installed.
Agree. Look at the Israeli Saar V, I wonder how sailors can still walk around the ship with all the Barak VLS, Gabriel, Harpoon, Phalanx or Otomelara 76 and the helo pad aft...