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[BravoZulu]

Netherlands:
The Netherlands Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to buy a combination of inner-layer missiles and medium-calibre guided munitions to replace the Goalkeeper close-in weapon system (CIWS) currently fitted to Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) ship

In a 14 January letter to the Dutch parliament’s House of Representatives, State Secretary for Defence Barbara Visser said that plans were being taken forward to acquire the Raytheon/RAM-System GmbH RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) guided weapon system and the Leonardo DART (Driven Ammunition Reduced Time of flight) 76 mm guided ammunition. The latter will be integrated with the Pharos fire-control radar developed by Thales Nederland.

Developed by what was Hollandse Signaalapparaten, now Thales Nederland, Goalkeeper is a fully autonomous CIWS combining a seven-barrel General Dynamics ATP GAU-8/A 30 mm gun with an I-band search radar and an I/K-band tracking radar. The system has recently been the subject of an upgrade under the Instandhouding Goalkeeper programme, designed to sustain Goalkeeper through to 2025. This has introduced a new electro-optical sensor package and video tracking processing unit, new prediction algorithms to improve fire-control effectiveness, and a new operator console.

However, with the Goalkeeper system now encountering obsolescence, the MoD’s Defence Material Organisation (DMO) in 2018 established the Vervanging (replacement) Close-in Weapon System project to identify options for a successor. According to the DMO, the replacement capability – costed at between EUR100–250 million (USD120–300 million) – is required to defeat stressing anti-ship cruise missile threats, other air targets, and surface threats, such as fast inshore attack craft.

 

[muck]

The Austrian Federal Army has ordered 30 Pandur 6×6 Evo armoured personnel carriers from GDELS-Steyr, bringing the army's fleet to 64 vehicles in total. The Pandur 6×6 Evo carries a complement of 11, offers protection from ballistic threats and is armed with a heavy machine gun. As a special feature, the APC can be quickly converted into an armoured ambulance by the user. (Source 1, Source 2, Austrian)

 

[muck]

ES&T reports of a spade of new items on the German Navy's shipbuilding agenda for the ongoing decade. (Source, German)

Here's the gist of it:

Later this year, the German parliament is set to approve the Type 212 CD submarine programme – an enlarged and improved variant of the U212 A class of air-independent propulsion submarines. Norway will receive four boats to replace the older vessels of her likewise German-built Type 210 submarines while Germany will increase her inventory of Type 212 boats to eight.

The ageing Type 704 replenishment oilers will be replaced by two units of a new double-hulled Type 707. A fifth larger than their predecessors, they will measure 160 metres in length, displace 20.000 tons and be manned by 42 civilians plus a force protection party of 23. The Type 707 will be able to accomodate helicopters up to the size of a AgustaWestland AW101. The first ship will enter service "as soon as possible".

The three Type 423 electronic reconnaissance boats will be replaced by as many units of a twice-as-large Type 424. With a length of 140 metres and a displacement of 4.000 tons, they will have a crew of 100 and be manned by the Navy and the German Armed Forces' Strategic Reconnaissance Command in unison. The first unit is scheduled for delivery in 2025. Naturally, the Navy remains tight-lipped about the 424's abilities.

From 2029 onwards, the existing six Type 404 tenders will be replaced by as many vessels of a class yet to be typed. At 130 metres, they will be a third larger than their predecessors, displace 10.000 tons and carry Sea Lion helicopters. Like the Type 404 they will be able to assume command and control tasks for smaller naval task groups and to that end accomodate 70 personnel in addition to their crew of 70.

[The design studies released so far show what appears to be – for lack of a better word – a supply ship-surface combatant hybrid with missile launchers, automatic cannons and holding spaces for four fast attack craft. muck]

The German Navy has 49 Airbus Sea Lion and Sea Tiger helicopters on order under a scheme to replace her ageing rotorcraft fleet of 43 Sikorsky Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters, with seven deliveries made so far.

Five additional K130 Class sea-going corvettes lie in various stages of completion, the first boat scheduled to join the fleet in 2023. The Navy has requested funds to build five more.

Four F126 Class multi-purpose frigates plus two options have been ordered to replace the F123 class. They will be 160 metres long and displace 10.000 tons. The first ship is planned to be put to sea in 2027. [The already-confirmed F127 Class of air defence frigates is not a part of the ongoing programme, muck]

While a tender for new fast attack craft for the Navy's Special Forces Command has just entered the selection phase, details of the planned class of new landing craft for the Seebataillon (naval infantry battalion) are yet to emerge.

 

[Fish&Chips]

ES&T reports of a spade of new items on the German Navy's shipbuilding agenda for the ongoing decade.

Holy cow, has the Kaiser been revived? That is some massive naval procurement and I guess it is much needed, too.

The F-126 class in particular is even larger than the latest F-125 frigates. (images).

 

[TheKiwi]

10,000 tons, that is the biggest Frigate I've seen since the 1960's US Navy weird designations. Really it's Cruiser size but I can see why that description might be avoided.

 

[Fluff]

10,000 tons, that is the biggest Frigate I've seen since the 1960's US Navy weird designations. Really it's Cruiser size but I can see why that description might be avoided.

Meh, 40% is beer and currywurst.

 

[Deleted member 11302]

10,000 tons, that is the biggest Frigate I've seen since the 1960's US Navy weird designations. Really it's Cruiser size but I can see why that description might be avoided.

The datasheet talks about 10,000 tons displacement, no naval expert here but might that be the source of the confusion? I don't even know if 10,000 tons of displacement is a lot for a frigate or not, to be perfectly honest.

 

[TheKiwi]

By comparison, the US Ticonderoga class Aegis cruisers displace about 9,000 tons.

WW2 heavy cruisers were 10-18,000 tons.

MEKO 200 class frigates come in at about 3,000-3,500 tons.

10,000 tons for a "Frigate" is vast and is clearly a political designation rather than a reflection of role.

 

[muck]

Not claiming to be a naval expert or anything, but the designation of frigate strikes me as appropriate. All new German war ships are a lot bigger than the ones they replace despite their armaments and capabilities remaining roughly the same. They say they're designed that way to allow for a maximum of automatisation, crew comfort and (particularly) endurance.

For instance, the requirement for the frigates is that they're deployable for two years without maintenance and operate 210 days per annum. I'm wondering if they're not taking on too much here. Even if the product is delivered as promised it's one heck of an expensive ship. Together, the first four ships cost €5.27 ($6.36) billion.

 

[TheKiwi]

A frigate is generally defined as a small fast military ship. 10,000 tons is not that.

I agree that the requirements you've listed would want a larger ship than a normal frigate though. It still sits firmly in the Cruiser range though, especially with the long remote deployment requirement.

 

[Fish&Chips]

Indeed. The F-125 class would already qualify for a destroyer designation, but then that would sound so... destructive.

 

[Mike1976]

The datasheet talks about 10,000 tons displacement, no naval expert here but might that be the source of the confusion? I don't even know if 10,000 tons of displacement is a lot for a frigate or not, to be perfectly honest.

The size (really "weight") of ships is virtually always measured in displacement. Even without it being explicitly mentioned it should be assumed unless stated otherwise.

As for the Dutch plans mentioned above there are elections in March and the current prime minister has already indicated that he wants an (even more) left leaning government after the elections and the potentisl coalition partners range from wanting to merge the armed forces into a European army to dissolving the armed forces completely and creating a disaster relief force in it's place. expect no new funds for any serious replacements or upgrades at best and serious cuts that destroy what little operationsl ability that remains at worst. This plan is dead in the water and a waste of the paper it was printed on. A wishlist by the navy like they do before every election.

 

[muck]

Indeed. The F-125 class would already qualify for a destroyer designation, but then that would sound so... destructive.

I guess the F125 is way too lightly armed to be a destroyer, which under German naval doctrine would be a warship capable of offensive operations in every domain (i.e. against aircraft, surface combatants and submarines).

A frigate is supposedly the smallest warship capable of combatting threats in every domain. The main difference being that doctrinally, a frigate's main task is described as providing a situation picture. In all-out war a German frigate is not supposed to operate independently without support from the fleet.

The F125 was really only built to extend the service life of high intensity warfare frigates like the F124. Unlike many others I actually appreciate the concept, though it could've probably been realised for way less money. Fighting pirates off the coast of Somalia with heavily armed air defence frigates seems like overkill.

 

[muck]

The upcoming issue of 'Zu gleich!', a periodical by the German Artillery Association, is to feature a draft of the future structure of the Heer's artillery corps. […]

• Apparently, each of the future 3 divisions is to raise 1 monstrous regiment that's to lead all the division's artillery in peacetime and assign artillery battalions to the division commander and the brigade commanders whenever necessary.

The latest issue of 'Pɪᴏɴɪᴇʀᴇ', the German Corps of Engineers' counterpart to 'Zu gleich!', discusses the future role of their branch in the 2027 model division. Suffice it to say the author (an active OF-4) is not happy with the concept. He fears it will create situations where tactical decisions way above their pay grade could fall on the shoulders of platoon leaders or even squad leaders.

The 2027 order of battle allocates one engineer company to a brigade, and two engineer bataillons to a division. One battalion will operate in the division's rear or reinforce the brigade engineer companies; the other battalion will be amphibious and equipped with the means to bridge rivers up to 300 metres in width.

As a sidenote to our British friends, Pionierbrückenbataillon 130 (amphibious engineer battalion 130) – the new parent unit of 23 Amphibious Engineer Squadron Royal Engineers – will be activated in Minden on October 1st as part of the 1. Panzerdivision (1st armoured division). I'm already looking forward to what the Daily Mail will have to say about it.​

The table in 'Pɪᴏɴɪᴇʀᴇ' contains another curious information, though: Both the brigade artillery (see the post quoted above) and the brigade's combat service support assets are depicted with the temporary assignment bracket atop their size indicators. In other words, the brigades of Division 2027 appear to be relatively lightly organised and receive most of their support from the division.

That's a totally new approach and, if memory serves me right, unprecedented in Germany. As far as permanent units go, each brigade will lead a headquarters and signals company, four combat battalions, a reconnaissance company and an engineer company.

Since the German Army has way more recce companies than necessary for this structure and no intentions to stand any of them down, I'm assuming this means the division will receive a reconnaissance battalion as well.

 

[muck]

In other news, the latest issue of 'Soldat & Technik' contains some cool new updates on Germany's upcoming Luftbeweglicher Waffenträger, or LuWa in short. This airmobile weapons carrier is one of the two vehicles set to replace the famous Wiesel tankette and has some interesting features to it. It will be produced by ACS Armoured Car Systems, the company responsible for the Enok protected vehicle. (Source, German)

Weighing 4.5 tonnes, the LuWa will be airtransportable via CH-53G, CH-53K or CH-47F. It has a crew of 2 seated in a monocoque designed to provide superior protection compared to the Wiesel's. The double-tracked chassis is intended to provide supreme stability. As a special tidbit, an electric secondary engine should give the LuWa the ability to reconnoiter an area in virtual silence.

LuWa will come in two variants: a Spike LR-equipped anti-tank vehicle and a direct fire support version armed with a 27×145 mm autocannon – none other than the Mauser BK-27 from the Eurofighter Typhoon or Saab Gripen. A general purpose machine gun will serve as the secondary armament of both variants.

The LuWa will replace the Wiesel in two parachute infantry regiments and one mountain infantry battalion. (The other tankettes will be replaced by a variant of the Boxer armoured personnel carrier equipped with the Lance turret system.)

 

[BCNTM]

French military jets cut off village's power supply by flying low

The two Rafale aircraft hit electrical lines on a low-altitude training flight in the south.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Fluff]

In other news, the latest issue of 'Soldat & Technik' contains some cool new updates on Germany's upcoming Luftbeweglicher Waffenträger, or LuWa in short. This airmobile weapons carrier is one of the two vehicles set to replace the famous Wiesel tankette and has some interesting features to it. It will be produced by ACS Armoured Car Systems, the company responsible for the Enok protected vehicle. (Source, German)

Weighing 4.5 tonnes, the LuWa will be airtransportable via CH-53G, CH-53K or CH-47F. It has a crew of 2 seated in a monocoque designed to provide superior protection compared to the Wiesel's. The double-tracked chassis is intended to provide supreme stability. As a special tidbit, an electric secondary engine should give the LuWa the ability to reconnoiter an area in virtual silence.

LuWa will come in two variants: a Spike LR-equipped anti-tank vehicle and a direct fire support version armed with a 27×145 mm autocannon – none other than the Mauser BK-27 from the Eurofighter Typhoon or Saab Gripen. A general purpose machine gun will serve as the secondary armament of both variants.

The LuWa will replace the Wiesel in two parachute infantry regiments and one mountain infantry battalion. (The other tankettes will be replaced by a variant of the Boxer armoured personnel carrier equipped with the Lance turret system.)

Thats cute!

 

[morris]

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France has launched the program for its Navy’s third-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, which will see four vessels eventually delivered to the service.

The Navy is expected to received the first submarine in 2035, with the other three following at a schedule of one every five years.
These four boats, known in France as SNLE (sous-marin nucléaire lanceur d’engin) “will replace the current [ones] without a break,” Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly announced last week.

 

[muck]

If an upgraded variant due for 2021 fails to meet expectations, the Army will recommend retiring the Puma in favour of the CV90 from Sweden. (Source, German)

"Well-informed sources" say the Puma infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) has finally matured into a capable weapon system. S&T reports that the reworked version has passed operational trials at the Bergen Proving Grounds and is due to be declared combat-ready. The Puma's previous stability issues have seemingly been solved; reportedly, the test vehicles passed 96-hours endurance tests of continuous operation without a hitch.

The German Army had previousy threatened to ditch her plans of acquiring a second batch of vehicles and even publicly toyed with the idea of replacing her existing fleet with an IFV of a foreign make. Now, however, little seems to stand in the way of a retrofitting campaign and the issuing of the order for at least 210 newly-built Pumas. (Source, German)

It seems as though threatening the industry with "infidelity" did do the trick. ?

 

[muck]

Update:

Heckler & Koch accuses Haenel of violating both Magpul's patents and H&K's own. Strangely enough, the magazines supplied with the MK556 aren't even produced by Haenel but by Oberland Arms, a company serving as Magpul's partner for the Central European market. I can't wrap my head around how as a business partner they could have possibly been violating their patents with impunity (as is alleged).

Furthermore, H&K says that Haenel has violated their "over the beach"-patent, a breech block modification allowing a rifle to function even when filled with water. It has emerged that H&K initiated a lawsuit against Haenel back in August. They allege Haenel coppied the HK416's breech block for their CR223 – the semi-automatic older brother of the MK556.

However, the HK416 and the MK556 were both designed by the same man, Robert Hirt; he now works for Caracal, the company that owns Haenel. And as far as I can tell H&K doesn't even enjoy protection by that patent anymore. Registered as DE 20 2006 007 925 U1, it expired in June 2016.

What a clusterfuck.

Daily Frankfurter Allgemeine reports that the German Ministry of Defence believes that Haenel has violated patents belonging to rival Heckler&Koch. As a consequence, the company is expelled from the tender. Haenel has already announced its intention to take both the MoD and H&K to court. Whether or not this turn of events means that the latter will be awarded the contract is not known at this point. (Source, German)