Pakistan Navy (PN) News, Updates & Discussions

contedicavour

New Member
According to this site Kanwa reported that PN is interested in procuring the Type-054 FFG. The same source also says the F-22P's displacement is 2500 tons, any chance of the displacement crossing 2600 ton? In any case the PN's modernization program is coming together quite nicely, 12 major surface combatants and 6 AIP SSKs.
Makes sense, the latest Jangwei are pretty good light frigates.
I'm only a bit disappointed that FFGs entering service after 2010 should still be equipped with a copy of 1970s vintage Crotale... it certainly is cheap and easy to install (as the retrofit to the ex RN Amazons shows) but quite obsolescent for a ship that should remain in service until 2040

cheers
 

BilalK

New Member
Makes sense, the latest Jangwei are pretty good light frigates.
I'm only a bit disappointed that FFGs entering service after 2010 should still be equipped with a copy of 1970s vintage Crotale... it certainly is cheap and easy to install (as the retrofit to the ex RN Amazons shows) but quite obsolescent for a ship that should remain in service until 2040

cheers
That is why I believe the SAM system on the F-22P will be replaced before 2019. Options are certainly available - such as the Aster 15 SAAM and Umkhonto. However the installation of VLS may be a problem, I do not think it is impossible though - nor incredibly expensive. The DCN Sylver-43 design is suitable IMO for Milgem and F-22P. We'll have to wait and see how it turns out.
 

contedicavour

New Member
That is why I believe the SAM system on the F-22P will be replaced before 2019. Options are certainly available - such as the Aster 15 SAAM and Umkhonto. However the installation of VLS may be a problem, I do not think it is impossible though - nor incredibly expensive. The DCN Sylver-43 design is suitable IMO for Milgem and F-22P. We'll have to wait and see how it turns out.
On aster :
Milgem yes, F22P I have more doubts...
Besides, which radar system would be installed ? I'm not sure Milgem are planned to carry serious AAW multi-phased array radars needed to guide Asters.

On umkhonto : no problem indeed. The Finns have it operational on 50 meter long FACs !!

cheers
 

orko_8

New Member
One of the design engineers working in Istanbul Naval Shipyard, the facility which has been building the first ship of the MilGem (TCG Heybeliada) told me during IDEF-2005 fair that there is a provision for Mk.?? VLS launchers behind 76mm gun turret. He didn't give details about which type of VLS launchers (Mk41? Mk48?) were thought or if the design works are really underway for such a modification.

TCG Heybeliada is the prototype of the class. It will undergo about 3 years of tests for indigenous systems such as sonar, gun FCS; radar, EO, C&C systems etc as well as usual seakeeping trials and other stuff. After the completion of tests, a bid for serial production will be opened for Turkish private shipyards.

Mission statement of MilGem is focused on:
- ASW & ASuW
- Assymetrical threats, terrorism, smuggling etc
- Search and rescue

I think it is more than safe to claim that MilGem will form a basis for other corvette and frigate designs. After all, she stands on the vague border within corvette and frigate classes.
 

contedicavour

New Member
One of the design engineers working in Istanbul Naval Shipyard, the facility which has been building the first ship of the MilGem (TCG Heybeliada) told me during IDEF-2005 fair that there is a provision for Mk.?? VLS launchers behind 76mm gun turret. He didn't give details about which type of VLS launchers (Mk41? Mk48?) were thought or if the design works are really underway for such a modification.

TCG Heybeliada is the prototype of the class. It will undergo about 3 years of tests for indigenous systems such as sonar, gun FCS; radar, EO, C&C systems etc as well as usual seakeeping trials and other stuff. After the completion of tests, a bid for serial production will be opened for Turkish private shipyards.

Mission statement of MilGem is focused on:
- ASW & ASuW
- Assymetrical threats, terrorism, smuggling etc
- Search and rescue

I think it is more than safe to claim that MilGem will form a basis for other corvette and frigate designs. After all, she stands on the vague border within corvette and frigate classes.
Interesting thanks. It is also my understanding that the Milgem (or at least the first batch of Milgem) will be ASW&ASUW light frigates, so AAW will not be a priority. If the PN were looking for strong AAW capability the first Milgem are not the best suited.
Actually if they were looking for cheap AAW in the short term they'd better ask the RN for second hand Type 42 with a big stock of Sea darts...

cheers
 

orko_8

New Member
Interesting thanks. It is also my understanding that the Milgem (or at least the first batch of Milgem) will be ASW&ASUW light frigates, so AAW will not be a priority.
Exactly.

By the way the project covers 1 (Heybeliada) +7 (+4 optional) ships.
 

BilalK

New Member
Well the initial Milgem will have Rolling Airframe Missiles - which does provide some air defence protection. I wonder if it is within Pakistan's rhelm of integrating the Umkhonto on the F-22P and maybe on Type-054 - if procured. VLS would be required though.
 

tphuang

Super Moderator
a few thoughts:
F-22P - not large enough to put anything to support Aster-15. First you need something like EMPAR or Herakles, where are you going to put it? Jiangwei is way overcrowded as it is. Secondly, if you look at the space reserved for FM-90N, there is no way you can put something like Aster-15. The only VLS I can think of replacing it with and would fit is something like Barak.
It's air defense is not entirely terrible. AK-176m is the fastest main gun out there and has decent air defense. The two CIWS seems to upgraded Chinese version of AK-630M, not that bad either although FCR makes it only be able to engage target in one direction. FM-90N is quite a bit improved from original Sea Crotale. And why would you want to Unmkhonto on 054? That thing has probably the best AAW of its class right now. The two type 730 CIWS provides blanket coverage.
 

BilalK

New Member
Could the Mica VL be a feasible option for usage on F-22P? I guess the F-22P's current air defence capability is ok, but by the time it is commissioned - I think PN would look for an upgrade. I read the Mica VL is a good upgrade/retrofit missile, modular and relatively easy to integrate onto not-so sophisticated ships.
 

tphuang

Super Moderator
Could the Mica VL be a feasible option for usage on F-22P? I guess the F-22P's current air defence capability is ok, but by the time it is commissioned - I think PN would look for an upgrade. I read the Mica VL is a good upgrade/retrofit missile, modular and relatively easy to integrate onto not-so sophisticated ships.
I'm not sure how much space Mica VLS takes. From the look of it, there seems to be enough depth on the platform HH-7 is on for a SR SAM, but I don't know what's the area used for right now. Other than that, I don't know anything about Mica VLS so I can't comment on it. I just don't see enough performance improvement to justify the cost of this upgrade.
 

contedicavour

New Member
I think that the PN should leave serious AAW to second hand ships such as the RN Type 42 that should be available soon.
However the F22P and the 054 will need something more modern to complement their already good CIWS. I agree Aster-15+Empar/Herakles is too big to fit aboard. Integrating any VLS system may mean too much refitting. Wouldn't it be better to install RAM instead of the FM90/Chinese modified Crotale ? IIRC RAM is better suited to counter missiles while any evolution of Crotale is bound to remain a more traditional anti-aircraft missile. Focusing on shooting down missiles within RAM's 10km range may be more important than shooting down aircrafts within FM90/Crotale's 13km range (since by then the aircraft is likely to have launched its anti-ship missiles already).
Any comments ?

cheers
 

BilalK

New Member
contedicavour

I think the PN may get RAM if they get the Milgem. However I think the PN will not procure a destroyer in the near future. The American Spruance Class USS Fletcher was offered, but the PN did not accept it - don't know why. I do not recall any interest in even Chinese destroyers or heavy frigates like FREMM either.

Personally I would love to see in the long-term PN procure 4 frigates/destroyers in the 5500-6000 ton range - 2 for air defence and 2 multi-role. For instance the FREMM could be a platform for the Sylver A-50 for the PAAMS system - whereas the other FREMM with the Aster A-50 for the SAAM And Scalp Naval systems.
 
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contedicavour

New Member
contedicavour

I think the PN may get RAM if they get the Milgem. However I think the PN will not procure a destroyer in the near future. The American Spruance Class USS Fletcher was offered, but the PN did not accept it - don't know why. I do not recall any interest in even Chinese destroyers or heavy frigates like FREMM either.

Personally I would love to see in the long-term PN procure 4 frigates/destroyers in the 5500-6000 ton range - 2 for air defence and 2 multi-role. For instance the FREMM could be a platform for the Sylver A-50 for the PAAMS system - whereas the other FREMM with the Aster A-50 for the SAAM And Scalp Naval systems.
My understanding is that Spruance class was too big and useless since the USN wasn't going to transfer Tomahawks or SM2 anyway...
Procuring several Type 42s from the RN would be cheap and the whole stock of Sea Darts could be bought cheaply once the last Type 42s decommission around 2015.
We'd love to sell FREMMs (air defence variant) to PN but would PN want to spend approx 800 mln USD per ship ?? It would limit investments on all other assets for quite a while.

cheers
 

BilalK

New Member
contedicavour

True said about FREMM. Another solution the PN may be looking at could be the acquisition of Type-054A with HQ-16 SAM - which is reportedly the Chinese version of the SA-N-12 Shtil. I also assume that NESCOM is actively working on a ship-launched version of the Babur - based on Pak Gov't statements saying that it would be eventually capable of ship-launch. Of all the platforms possible available to launch an Eastern made cruise missile, I think the Type-054A is the most feasible and likely.

There were also reports from IDEAS 2006 that the PN will purchase the MU-90 torpedo, perhaps that is their future standard ship and air-launched ASW torpedo? We'll have to wait and see on that.

I guess the PN's future surface fleet will likely revolve on the Type-054 frigate and Milgem corvette.
 

contedicavour

New Member
contedicavour

True said about FREMM. Another solution the PN may be looking at could be the acquisition of Type-054A with HQ-16 SAM - which is reportedly the Chinese version of the SA-N-12 Shtil. I also assume that NESCOM is actively working on a ship-launched version of the Babur - based on Pak Gov't statements saying that it would be eventually capable of ship-launch. Of all the platforms possible available to launch an Eastern made cruise missile, I think the Type-054A is the most feasible and likely.

There were also reports from IDEAS 2006 that the PN will purchase the MU-90 torpedo, perhaps that is their future standard ship and air-launched ASW torpedo? We'll have to wait and see on that.

I guess the PN's future surface fleet will likely revolve on the Type-054 frigate and Milgem corvette.
It makes a lot of sense yes. I'm only a bit doubtful whether there is enough space for a SAM system the size of Shtil on a relatively crowded Type 054. Babur cruise missile as well is very big and heavy... anyway let's see.
MU-90 Franco-Italian torpedo is indeed well positioned in the competition for future torpedoes, unless the Americans have a lot of older Mk46s that could be handed over almost for free.

cheers
 

BilalK

New Member
It makes a lot of sense yes. I'm only a bit doubtful whether there is enough space for a SAM system the size of Shtil on a relatively crowded Type 054. Babur cruise missile as well is very big and heavy... anyway let's see.
MU-90 Franco-Italian torpedo is indeed well positioned in the competition for future torpedoes, unless the Americans have a lot of older Mk46s that could be handed over almost for free.

cheers
Well based on what Sino Defence has said - credibility would have to be verified by tphuang - the Type-054A may be capable of using the SA-N-12/HQ-16. NESCOM is probably developing a naval variant of the Babur - given that Pak Military officials have said Babur will eventually be capable of surface-combatant, submarine and aerial launch.

pshamim on PakDef - very credible member - reported that France has offered the Scalp Naval CM if Marlin is chosen for the 3 SSK requirement.
 

contedicavour

New Member
Well based on what Sino Defence has said - credibility would have to be verified by tphuang - the Type-054A may be capable of using the SA-N-12/HQ-16. NESCOM is probably developing a naval variant of the Babur - given that Pak Military officials have said Babur will eventually be capable of surface-combatant, submarine and aerial launch.

pshamim on PakDef - very credible member - reported that France has offered the Scalp Naval CM if Marlin is chosen for the 3 SSK requirement.
Wow delivering Scalp Naval to Pakistan would mean very serious trouble for France in India as there's no more offensive weapon than a Scalp Naval (other than nuclear of course)... there's no hiding behind "weapons of defence" when you sell scalp ...

cheers
 

BilalK

New Member
Wow delivering Scalp Naval to Pakistan would mean very serious trouble for France in India as there's no more offensive weapon than a Scalp Naval (other than nuclear of course)... there's no hiding behind "weapons of defence" when you sell scalp ...

cheers
True. However I am still not sure on whether Marlin would be chosen. Diehl BGT said during IDEAS 2006 that the IDAS and other IRIS-T variants were on offer to Pakistan. Besides that, H Khan - another credible member on PakDef - said that the PN is planning to buy the DM2A4 torpedo. Also the fact that Marlin is still based off the Scorpene, which would give India a fair idea on its weaknesses - and the U-214 offer was reportedly cheaper.

On the official level the U-214 SSK seems to be on top, anything under the table and based off private sources suggest Marlin is on top.
 

ahussains

New Member
How many days will F22p get to join the PAK NAVY and what are the other alternates to fill this gaps as soon as posiable.
 

BilalK

New Member
How many days will F22p get to join the PAK NAVY and what are the other alternates to fill this gaps as soon as posiable.
First F-22P will arrive in 2008-2009 with the other 3 by 2013. There are no stop-gaps or fillers planned, but new acquisitions are. I think the F-22P, corvette (Milgem?) and frigate (Type-054?) will begin induction in time to replace the 6 Type-21.
 
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