The Israeli Navy is looking to have the first of its new Reshef class corvettes in service at the start of 2027…Speaking at the CNE 2023 conference in Farnborough on 24 May, Commander Yonatan Kudish also revealed that the Reshef vessel will be assembled from hull modules built overseas by a US shipbuilder.
Eight ships are planned to replace eight Sa’ar 4.5 missile boats currently in service with the Israeli Navy. In addition to a 76mm gun, a pair of 30mm remote weapon stations, and anti-ship missiles (presumably Gabriel V), they are expected to have C-Dome missiles, the naval version of Iron Dome as well.
It appears the Israelis are rebranding their helicopter deck as a “multi-purpose mooring deck.” There does not seem to be a hangar.
Compared to the Sa’ar 4.5s they are replacing, they are more than twice the displacement, and 3 or 4 knots slower.
These will be marketed internationally as Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) as well as Missile Corvettes depending on how they are equipped, though they seem to be a little small for an OPV on most of the world’s oceans. A 1,000 ton displacement as shown in the graphic would suggest they are smaller than the Coast Guard’s 210 foot WMECs despite a greater length (about 250 feet), but that might not be their full load displacement.
The fact that they are slower than the vessels they replace seems to reflect the diminished value of a high maximum speed since long range missiles and aircraft have replaced other surface vessels as the primary threat. On the other hand, seakeeping, endurance, range, and high cruise speed are probably more important now. Even so the Sa’ar 4.5s had very good cruising range for such small ships (4,800 nautical miles (8,900 km) at 19 knots). Their replacements may not offer any improvement.
Containerized minelaying system on a River Batch 2 Offshore Patrol Vessel
It has been said that aircraft carriers are the ultimate modular warships because their primary weapons (aircraft) are interchangeable.
A flight deck on an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) certainly offers a degree of aviation options. General purpose, cargo, ASW, and ASuW helicopters and a range of Unmanned Air Systems, but it appears our allies, the UK and particularly Australia may be looking at other ways to use this large open space.
Royal Navy:
Navy Lookout had a post that talked about restoring a naval mining capability in the Royal Navy. There was no specific reference to using flight decks or to Offshore Patrol Vessels.
The RN does not need dedicated minelaying vessels. The SSNs have a theoretical minelaying capability but XLUUVs are a much lower risk and stealthier solution for covert and sensitive missions. Where stealth is less important, containerised minelaying solutions are being developed that can be secured to the deck and dispense mines over the stern. (emphasis applied–Chuck)
But the photo, above, definitely got my attention. There we see an SH Defence “CUBE” containerized mine laying system developed by RWM Italia S.p,A. (Rheinmetall). on the flight deck of a River Batch 2 Offshore Patrol Vessel (HMS TAMAR).
Australian Navy:
Australia is planning to produce up to 14 flight deck equipped Arafura class OPVs including two intended specifically for Mine Counter Measures (MCM). These ships were always intended to accept containerized mission loads. It appears they are now planning what these ships will do in wartime.
As noted in the Navy Lookout, Australia is planning to buy and produce large numbers of mines. Naval News reports,
“Australia is set to accelerate the procurement of sea mines as part of Project SEA 2000…The decision to rapidly procure the capability, reportedly from a European supplier, will deliver a ‘significant’ deterrent effect according to Defence…it’s understood that the government has budgeted approximately $500 million to 1 billion Australian dollars for the acquisition…the weapons being brought are smart mines, able to disseminate between civilian vessels and a variety of military targets, allowing a strategic anchorage to be denied to hostile forces, all the while preserving access for aligned vessels. (emphasis applied–Chuck)
This all points to large numbers of mines being used in defensive fields. Such minefields will almost certainly be laid by surface vessels. Australia does have some civilian crewed support ships that might be used for mine laying, but as the Arafura class comes online, they will be the most likely surface minelayers.
SURTASS-E is expected to provide long range detection and cuing for tactical weapons, against both diesel- and nuclear-powered submarines. Again, the Arafura class seems a likely host, because the system is intended for military crew manning and, unlike the civilian manned National Support Squadron ships, these ships are armed and have communication systems that include tactical data link.
Now About the Coast Guard:
Using a flight deck for non-aviation purposes is not a foreign idea to the Coast Guard. They do it all the time to provide a holding area for migrants.
USCGC Mohawk’s (WMEC 913) crew patrols the South Florida Straits during Operation Vigilant Sentry, Jan. 5, 2023. Mohawk’s crew patrolled the Florida Straits and Caribbean Sea in support of Homeland Security Task Force—Southeast and Operation Vigilant Sentry in the Coast Guard Seventh District’s area of operations for a 46-day patrol. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by USCGC Legare (WMEC 912)
Naval News reports that the Danes are embarking on a naval program. The details of what kind of ships and how many are not clear but,
Naval News understands that some of the future vessels will be OMT’s MPV-80. These will feature a great deal of modularity via “The Cube” system by local company SH Defence.
The MPV-80 looks a lot like an Offshore Patrol Vessel, but with a difference.
The Danes have a long and apparently successful history of incorporating modularity in their ship designs. They invented the StanFlex system almost 40 years ago. (Not to mention, they have been making LEGOs since 1949.) It appears this design will go much further, “Container capacity: 30 –23 of which are ‘Cube’ ready.” The post explains “The Cube” system by local company SH Defence but more here.
It does appear the four ice-strengthened Thetis class patrol frigates, already over 30 old, are in need of replacement.
Thetis-class ocean patrol vessel belonging to the Royal Danish Navy. Source: konflikty.pl, Author: Łukasz Golowanow
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