Germany upgrades minehunting vessels
Atlas Elektronik will modernise three minehunting vessels of the German Navy under an order announced on 21 December. The contract, signed with the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), is worth €78.5 million.
The Germany Navy is carrying out a project to equip the Frankenthal class (Type 332) vessels with the Integrated Mine Counter Measure System (IMCMS) and Atlas Elektronik’s SeaFox mine disposal vehicle. The vessels will also be given the ability to control the Seehund remotely operated vehicle. A shore-based training and testing facility will also be established.
Between 2009 and 2012, Atlas Elektronik fitted out five Frankenthal class vessels with the IMCMS and SeaFox. With this phase of the programme, a further three vessels will be modernised. The remaining two boats will be used as mission platforms for mine clearance divers.
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Navy takes delivery of New Jersey SSN
The USN’s Virginia-class SSNs are replacing the old Los Angeles-class SSNs. The Virginia-class SSNs are fitted with the latest sensors and weapons and around 48 submarines are planned, with a total of 38 currently ordered.
-
BMT and DNV partner to meet Australia’s heavy landing craft requirement
Under Project Land 8710 Phase 2, Australia has been seeking to acquire an undisclosed number of Littoral Manoeuvre Vessels to replace the Balikpapan-class. The programme has an estimated value of AU$1.4 billion (US$910 million), with IOC slated for 2032.
-
Babcock to take over upkeep of Royal Navy Type-23 frigates
The Royal Navy’s Type-23 Duke-class frigates for the UK Royal Navy were designed as anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships but now have a multi-role function. Of the 16 Type 23s built, 12 remain in service with the Royal Navy and will be replaced by the Type-26 frigates before 2035.
-
Austal completes autonomy trials with former Royal Australian Navy patrol boat
The work took place under the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT), which has been a collaboration between Austal, Greenroom Robotics, the Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre and the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Warfare Innovation Navy Branch.
-
Singapore launches fourth and final Type 218SG submarine
The era of southeast Asian submarine modernisation has been in full swing fuelled by growing tensions in the South China Sea.