offshore patrol vessels

OFFSHORE PATROL VESSELS
GLOBAL PROCUREMENT UPDATE
May 2012
As we approach the halfway point of 2012, Defence IQ casts an eye over some of
the most interesting developments in the international race to acquire naval
offshore patrol capability.
In recent years, modern defence forces have widely acknowledged a growing trend in the threat to national
security as sea-based. Included is the explosion of maritime piracy, the increased focus on countering smuggling,
drug-running and border control, and the rising value of the fishing industry, oil industry and naval trade routes. In
addition, the recent conflict in Libya, the tensions in the South China Sea, and concerns across many other
regions, all point to an immediate need to secure home shores.
As a result, the Offshore Patrol Vessel has become – alongside the Maritime Patrol Aircraft – one of the most
significant emerging tools for coastal protection worldwide. Acquisition programmes continue to dominate the
immediate priority lists of navy and coastguard commanders, a development that is likely to continue over the
next ten years and beyond.
As part of our continued coverage of this domain, Defence IQ looks at the movements over just the past few
weeks being made in:
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South Africa
Nigeria
France
USA
India & Mauritius
Canada
Offshore Patrol Vessels Europe 2012
25 – 27 September 2012, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
www.OffshorePatrolVessels.com
Page 1
Defence IQ
South Africa puts out call for OPV design
The South African Navy (SAN) has confirmed that it
will be building new Offshore Patrol Vessels, having
requested options from the international defence
industry.
The programme, known as Project Biro, released a
Request for Information in 2011 and is expected to
issue a Request for Quotations before the end of
2012. It includes plans to also acquire Inshore Patrol
Vessels.
Recent reports suggest that the final roll out will
consist of eight OPVs and six IPVs, replacing the
current three T-Craft IPVs and three remaining strike
vessels. In a nod to modernisation efforts, the new
OPVs are expected to carry Autonomous Underwater
Vehicles.
Taking the same approach as other BRICs countries
undergoing modernisation and expansion at this
time, the ships will be built indigenously, ensuring
that the South African economy benefits directly
from the project and that the ability to upgrade the
vessels over the coming 30 to 40 years exists on
home soil.
According to defenceWeb, Rear Admiral Bernhard
Teuteberg, the Chief Director of Maritime Strategy
emphasised the importance of building not just the
ships but the very culture of shipbuilding and
maintenance on a domestic level, of which it already
has much experience.
Offshore Patrol Vessels Europe 2012
25 – 27 September 2012, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
www.OffshorePatrolVessels.com
“One of the reasons is that only 20 per cent of the
cost of an OPV is acquisition,” said Teuteberg.
“Eighty per cent goes into the life-cycle of that
vessel. We have to ensure that we have the ability in
South Africa, to maintain, redevelop if necessary,
where
necessary,
[and]
in
time.”
The Navy will likely be prioritising flexibility and
modularity when making its decision on the contract
being that it will continue to augment and refit the
same platforms for several decades.
Of the companies who have sought involvement in
Project Biro, several signed a Memorandum of
Understanding in 2011 to pitch their vessels for
consideration, including DCNS and KND partnering
for the French Gowind-class, Veercraft Marine and
Navantia for the Avante-class, and a project for the
joint powers of Damen and Lurssen Werft.
Page 2
Defence IQ
Nigeria ups the stakes with two new OPV contracts
The Nigerian Navy has signed a deal with China to
build two new $42 million Offshore Patrol Vessels in
its efforts to take action against the continued
concern of maritime piracy around the Gulf of
Guinea.
Having been personally approved by the country’s
President, Goodluck Jonathan, the ships are
expected to be 95 metres in length and weigh in at
1,800 tons, carrying up to 70 personnel and enduring
up to 20 days of patrol at a time. Other features
include a helicopter deck, a 30 mm and 76 mm gun,
and two MTU 20V 4000M diesel engines.
While the first vessel is to be constructed in China, at
least half of the sister ship will then be built within
Nigeria to boost shipbuilding skills and benefit the
local economy. 10 further OPVs are planned for
procurement within the coming decade.
As part of the naval expansion programme, Nigeria is
also announcing procurement this year of at least
three fast patrol craft, six littoral ships, and three
coastal patrol craft., all of which will not only help to
protect surrounding waters from militants,
smugglers and traffickers, but will ward off threats to
the oil and fishing activities in the Niger Delta.
Last year, Vice Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim announced
the Navy’s acquisition plans to a Defence IQ
delegation, stating that the OPV is “a cost-effective
platform for achieving improved security in the Gulf
of Guinea.”
Aside to the vessels being procured under its £269m
budget of 2012, Ibrahim also spoke of the vessels the
Navy had received at no cost from allied forces –
including the former US Coast Guard Cutter Chase,
now named the NNS Thunder – which are now also
being considered for future purchase under Joint
Venture Production, with the Navy “open to
discussions on viable proposals.”
“It is perhaps a contention that one of the challenges
impairing operational availability of platforms in
many African navies is limited capacity for ship
maintenance and life extension,” Ibrahim stated.
“Apart from infrastructure and skill deficiencies,
long-term availability of needed spares is also a
major constraint…further complicated by the
proliferation of acquisition sources from builders and
vendors.”
“Key [OPV] objectives are the establishment of a
viable relationship with other relationships and
navies in support of the Nigerian Navy roles,
enhanced stability and extended surveillance
capacity with organic helicopters, and an envisaged
displacement of around 2000 tons,” he said.
Offshore Patrol Vessels Europe 2012
25 – 27 September 2012, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
www.OffshorePatrolVessels.com
Page 3
Defence IQ
France commissions innovative OPV
The French Navy has commissioned its new DCNS
funded Gowind-class Offshore Patrol Vessel to begin
its three year evaluation period.
The ship marks the first step in DCNS’s strategy to
win a bigger contract with the French Navy, which
should see it now deliver small and medium
displacement surface ships, according to analysts.
The 87 metre ‘L’Adroit’ successfully saw out its trial
period, and boasts endurance of three weeks, speeds
of up to 21 knots and a range of 8,000 nautical miles.
Designed to remain at sea for up to 220 days, the
ship will deploy UAVs, USVs and helicopters during
its patrol to counter threats to fisheries,
environmental interests and drug trafficking.
The vessel has also been described as innovative
owing to its ability to deploy fast attack boats for
Special Forces in under five minutes, as well as a
sensor mast and bridge both boasting 360 degree
visibility.
Gowind also requires a streamlined 30 members of
crew to be at full operational capacity, with space to
cater for up to 30 passengers, vital if it is to fulfil its
ambition to lead effective in search and rescue or
humanitarian missions.
Other nations openly looking towards the Gowind to
outfit their naval security programmes include
Malaysia, which has now made an order for six ships
to begin delivery from 2017, and South Africa, which
is entertaining the possibility as part of its extensive
naval transformation programme, known as Project
Biro.
Offshore Patrol Vessels Europe 2012
25 – 27 September 2012, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
www.OffshorePatrolVessels.com
Page 4
Defence IQ
US Coast Guard releases OPV requirements
The US Coast Guard has sparked a series of proposals
from the shipbuilding industry, having made public
its initial requirements for a new Offshore Patrol
Cutter programme.
The Acquisition Directorate published the draft
technical package, with an order for industry interest
to be registered by the end of April.
The Coast Guard’s current medium endurance cutter
fleet is set to be rehauled over the coming years with
a total of 25 new OPCs, providing that design and
manufacturing costs can be effectively balanced with
help from the private industry.
Among the draft requirements for the tender is the
need for the overseeing of C4ISR integration, human
factors engineering, testing, modeling and
simulation, and maintenance of a risk management
programme.
Much of the USCG’s research into the most viable
industry partnering offers resulted from engagement
at industry events, including the international
Offshore Patrol Vessels conference series run by
Defence IQ.
USCG cutters have hit headlines several times this
year for their effectiveness in dealing with rescue
operations, including downed aircraft and stricken
boats, as well as in the emergency sinking of a
Japanese ‘ghost ship’ off the Alaskan coast, which
had set adrift after the tsunami disaster in Fukushima
last year.
Offshore Patrol Vessels Europe 2012
25 – 27 September 2012, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
www.OffshorePatrolVessels.com
Page 5
Defence IQ
India signs off new OPVs
The Indian Coast Guard has announced approval to
acquire six new Offshore Patrol Vessels to enhance
its maritime interests as the country continues to
modernise and beef up its national defence
capabilities.
Budget for the Coast Guard has spiked in the past
year as the threat alert of terrorism and piracy
remains high. The ICG expects to be at a strength of
200 ships and 100 aircraft by 2018.
The new OPVs will be built indigenously by PSU Goa
Shipyard Ltd (GSL) and will have helicopter
deployment capability.
The Coast Guard currently has several Vishwast class
OPVs, as well as Sankalp and Samar ‘advanced’ OPVs.
The Indian Navy has six active South Korean Sukanyaclass OPVs, the same class of vessel in service with Sri
Lankan forces.
Meanwhile, India-based company Garden Reach
Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) is providing
the Mauritius Coast Guard with a new OPV to be
deployed from 2014 at a cost of £36.4 million, joint
funded with India as part of a 2007 deal to
strengthen ties and joint operations.
The Mauritian vessel will provide both security and
logistical support to the outer islands, supported by
an onboard light helicopter and 60 crew members.
Offshore Patrol Vessels Europe 2012
25 – 27 September 2012, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
www.OffshorePatrolVessels.com
Page 6
Defence IQ
Canadian Navy hit with three year OPV delay
The Royal Canadian Navy is facing further
postponement to its plans to acquire new Arctic
Offshore Patrol Vessels, according to papers
presented to the House of Commons.
The Arctic Patrol Ship Project, announced in 2007 by
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, aims to add 6-8 new
vessels to the force capable of breaking through ice
in the difficult Northern coastlines of Canada, with
first delivery by 2015.
However, newly released reports suggest that this
timeframe has been pushed back to 2018, and initial
cost projection of CAD$3.1 billion will rise by $40
million.
The vessels, which will have a lifespan of 25 years,
were a subject of controversy when announced that
they would have a ‘polar class’ of PC-5, which some
analysts claimed would not be enough to break
heavy ice, despite only six of the nineteen Coast
Guard patrol vessels boasting a polar class above 5.
The project is part of the National Shipbuilding
Procurement Strategy, which aims to support
indigenous industry and reintroduce a deep culture
of shipbuilding to Canada over the coming decades.
Canada’s Federal Public Works Minister visited
Irving’s shipyard in Halifax this month to continue
negotiations for construction of the vessels in a longterm contract worth $25 billion.
The Canadian Navy has recently come under fire for
severe delays and rising costs of its submarine
programme and resupply ship acquisition, due to an
apparent string of cost overruns, technical errors,
ageing assets and a degradation of shipbuilding
skills.
Offshore Patrol Vessels Europe 2012
25 – 27 September 2012, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
www.OffshorePatrolVessels.com
Page 7
Conference Dates: 25 – 27 September 2012
Amsterdam, Netherlands
www.OffshorePatrolVessels.com
Offshore Patrol Vessels: The original, most prestigious and still the world's leading OPV
conference.
"The annual Offshore Patrol Vessels Conference organized by IQPC has become an important
reference world forum concerning the growing use of these naval assets, when senior
representatives from different Navies can present and discuss the solutions they have found to
reconcile technical issues with operational tasks and budget constraints so as to better accomplish
their missions. The multidisciplinary presentations are also an excellent opportunity to get
knowledge on new designs and developments from the naval shipbuilding industries, including the
platform, its sensors and weapon systems.“
- Rear Admiral Francisco Deiana, Director of Naval Engineering, Brazilian Navy
We are now in the midst of our planning for the 2012 event, however, please learn more about
our global events, taking place in Asia and South America – visit the websites for more
information: 2nd Annual Offshore Patrol Vessels Asia: www.offshorepatrolasia.com
Inaugural Offshore Patrol Vessels Latin America: www.opvlatinamerica.com
We look forward to seeing you at one of our events! Learn more about our 2011 OPV speakers, or
download a few of our free articles and interviews in our Resource Centre.
Offshore Patrol Vessels Europe 2012
25 – 27 September 2012, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
www.OffshorePatrolVessels.com
Page 8
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Offshore Patrol Vessels Europe 2012
25 – 27 September 2012, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
www.OffshorePatrolVessels.com
Page 9