General Discussions
This is the place to discuss general issues related to the U-boat war or the war at sea in WWII.
Sub News - Occasional review.
Posted by:
John Griffiths
()
Date: February 02, 2001 07:48PM
<HTML>Hi all,
In response to a request to keep forum folk up to date on events in the sub world, I hereby present the first of an occasional round up of sub news.
Can you please inform me whether this would be a useful feature or not?
DIVE!
An occasional round up of Worldwide Naval submarine related news.
Britain’s new generation of nuclear attack submarines (SSN’s) is already well underway. HMS ‘Astute’ - which is being constructed in sections - is already well advanced in terms of full construction. The ‘Astute’ class will be the Royal Navy’s largest ever class of attack submarines weighing in at a hefty 7,200 tons each. The three ordered already - ‘ Astute’ / ‘Ambush’ / ‘Artful’ - will be followed by a further batch of two, possibly three, boats. The vessels will replace the ‘Swiftsure’ and the early ‘Trafalgar’ class of boats already in service with the RN. ‘Astute’ is due to be launched in 2004 and commissioned in 2005. Figures quoted for the class show that they will operate with 10% less crew, but have a heavier weapons fit including a sixth tube. The vessel will be more flexible in terms of weapons load, the flexibility options allowing for Spearfish toredoes, Sub-Harpoon anti-ship missiles or Tomahawk Land Attack missiles to be carried. The vessel is designed to carry double the weapons load of exisiting boats and to remain at sea longer.
The UK is to maintain only 10 SSN’s under the auspices of the Strategic Defence Review - SDR. This figure is down 8 on the subs available to the RN at the end of the last cold war.
HMS ‘Vanguard’, the UK’s first of class Trident SSBN is due to refit in early 2002.
Canada’s lease-lend ‘Upholder’ class boats are to undergo variations in equipment and fittings which will allow them to operate in Canadian waters. Changes will be made to the communications, navigation, fire control systems whilst sensors and weapons will also be upgraded. The first of type, HMCS ‘Victoria’ - ex HMS ‘Unseen’ - will be home based at a West Coast Canadian base by summer 2002.
The South Korean Navy has rejected for sale Soviet Kilo 636 boats in favour of German S-214 Air Independent Propulsion SSK’s. The S-124’s will be fitted to fire either ‘White Shark’ HWT’s or ‘SUT’ torpedoes. Also rejected was the French Scorpene class SSK type boat.
Australia’s less than fantastic ‘Collins’ class boats are to receive yet more work. New combat systems are being drawn up for the class as well as a new heavyweight fish, which enters the RAN armoury in or around 2006.
The Royal Navy is also celebrating the 100th Anniversary of its submarine force this year. In conjunction with this event, various military speakers from across the world gathered at Lancaster University to pay tribute to the oldest sub force in the world as well as to look at how submarines fit in to future global defence systems. The US Navy’s Captain Don Tarquin (USN Retd) said that the bond between both navies was strong and effective. He also added that the current levels of operational subs fielded by both navies was ‘ below numbers needed to carry out tasks comfortably’ He went on record to say that the current build programme for both navies was also ‘inadequate’.
Canada’s Commander Peter Haydon (RCN Retd) went on to discuss the situation of Canada’s fleet of submarines which often fell foul of defence budget cuts due to a lack of investment. The acquisition of the four ex ‘Upholder’ boats was, he added, a source of confidence for the Canadian Navy. He reminded delegates that thSES additionS, however, may also fall foul of the politician’s axe as the submarine force was low on the priority list. Recruiting problems were another cross to bear as Canada, like other nations, is suffering from low recruitment interest within her armed forces.
Sweden’s contribution was given by Captain Bo Rask, CO of the Royal Swedish Navy’s 1st Submarine Flotilla, Captain Rask spoke about Swedens’s submarine fleet over the last decade, commenting that operations in the Baltic made special demands on the men and boats based there. It was, Rask said, both ‘a submariner’s heaven and a sub chaser’s hell’ in that it was shallow, narrow, mixes salt and fresh water with temperatures that vary widely. Sensor searches for submarines faced an uphill tasks as the whole area was excellent in providing cover for boats that didn’t want to be found. Captain Rask also spoke of the recent deployment of the Swedish boat ‘Halland ‘, an SSK, to the Med as area of operations and added that it presented the Swedish Navy with a new challenge after having perfected operations in the littoral waters of the Baltic.
Late News!
The Royal Navy has just undergone yet another cut in its capabilities. 819 Naval Air Squadron, based at Prestwick with Sea King Mk6 helicopters who provided anti-submarine sweeps for ballistic boats at Faslane, is to be disbanded in 2002.
End Note:
Was anyone aware of UK sub op’s in the last Gulf War? Recently, the British Ministry of Defence gave in on refusing to acknowledge whether UK subs had operated in the ‘Desert Storm’ campaign. HMS ‘Opposum’ was spotted returning to base painted in distinctive tiger stripe camouflage!
That’s the lot for a while! Stay tuned for the Naval News ‘as and when’!
John Griffiths
</HTML>
In response to a request to keep forum folk up to date on events in the sub world, I hereby present the first of an occasional round up of sub news.
Can you please inform me whether this would be a useful feature or not?
DIVE!
An occasional round up of Worldwide Naval submarine related news.
Britain’s new generation of nuclear attack submarines (SSN’s) is already well underway. HMS ‘Astute’ - which is being constructed in sections - is already well advanced in terms of full construction. The ‘Astute’ class will be the Royal Navy’s largest ever class of attack submarines weighing in at a hefty 7,200 tons each. The three ordered already - ‘ Astute’ / ‘Ambush’ / ‘Artful’ - will be followed by a further batch of two, possibly three, boats. The vessels will replace the ‘Swiftsure’ and the early ‘Trafalgar’ class of boats already in service with the RN. ‘Astute’ is due to be launched in 2004 and commissioned in 2005. Figures quoted for the class show that they will operate with 10% less crew, but have a heavier weapons fit including a sixth tube. The vessel will be more flexible in terms of weapons load, the flexibility options allowing for Spearfish toredoes, Sub-Harpoon anti-ship missiles or Tomahawk Land Attack missiles to be carried. The vessel is designed to carry double the weapons load of exisiting boats and to remain at sea longer.
The UK is to maintain only 10 SSN’s under the auspices of the Strategic Defence Review - SDR. This figure is down 8 on the subs available to the RN at the end of the last cold war.
HMS ‘Vanguard’, the UK’s first of class Trident SSBN is due to refit in early 2002.
Canada’s lease-lend ‘Upholder’ class boats are to undergo variations in equipment and fittings which will allow them to operate in Canadian waters. Changes will be made to the communications, navigation, fire control systems whilst sensors and weapons will also be upgraded. The first of type, HMCS ‘Victoria’ - ex HMS ‘Unseen’ - will be home based at a West Coast Canadian base by summer 2002.
The South Korean Navy has rejected for sale Soviet Kilo 636 boats in favour of German S-214 Air Independent Propulsion SSK’s. The S-124’s will be fitted to fire either ‘White Shark’ HWT’s or ‘SUT’ torpedoes. Also rejected was the French Scorpene class SSK type boat.
Australia’s less than fantastic ‘Collins’ class boats are to receive yet more work. New combat systems are being drawn up for the class as well as a new heavyweight fish, which enters the RAN armoury in or around 2006.
The Royal Navy is also celebrating the 100th Anniversary of its submarine force this year. In conjunction with this event, various military speakers from across the world gathered at Lancaster University to pay tribute to the oldest sub force in the world as well as to look at how submarines fit in to future global defence systems. The US Navy’s Captain Don Tarquin (USN Retd) said that the bond between both navies was strong and effective. He also added that the current levels of operational subs fielded by both navies was ‘ below numbers needed to carry out tasks comfortably’ He went on record to say that the current build programme for both navies was also ‘inadequate’.
Canada’s Commander Peter Haydon (RCN Retd) went on to discuss the situation of Canada’s fleet of submarines which often fell foul of defence budget cuts due to a lack of investment. The acquisition of the four ex ‘Upholder’ boats was, he added, a source of confidence for the Canadian Navy. He reminded delegates that thSES additionS, however, may also fall foul of the politician’s axe as the submarine force was low on the priority list. Recruiting problems were another cross to bear as Canada, like other nations, is suffering from low recruitment interest within her armed forces.
Sweden’s contribution was given by Captain Bo Rask, CO of the Royal Swedish Navy’s 1st Submarine Flotilla, Captain Rask spoke about Swedens’s submarine fleet over the last decade, commenting that operations in the Baltic made special demands on the men and boats based there. It was, Rask said, both ‘a submariner’s heaven and a sub chaser’s hell’ in that it was shallow, narrow, mixes salt and fresh water with temperatures that vary widely. Sensor searches for submarines faced an uphill tasks as the whole area was excellent in providing cover for boats that didn’t want to be found. Captain Rask also spoke of the recent deployment of the Swedish boat ‘Halland ‘, an SSK, to the Med as area of operations and added that it presented the Swedish Navy with a new challenge after having perfected operations in the littoral waters of the Baltic.
Late News!
The Royal Navy has just undergone yet another cut in its capabilities. 819 Naval Air Squadron, based at Prestwick with Sea King Mk6 helicopters who provided anti-submarine sweeps for ballistic boats at Faslane, is to be disbanded in 2002.
End Note:
Was anyone aware of UK sub op’s in the last Gulf War? Recently, the British Ministry of Defence gave in on refusing to acknowledge whether UK subs had operated in the ‘Desert Storm’ campaign. HMS ‘Opposum’ was spotted returning to base painted in distinctive tiger stripe camouflage!
That’s the lot for a while! Stay tuned for the Naval News ‘as and when’!
John Griffiths
</HTML>
| Subject | Written By | Posted |
|---|---|---|
Sub News - Occasional review.
|
John Griffiths | 02/02/2001 07:48PM |
|
RE: Sub News - Occasional review.
|
Rainer Bruns | 02/02/2001 08:29PM |
|
RE: Sub News - Occasional review.
|
MPC | 02/02/2001 08:56PM |
|
RE: Sub News - Occasional review.
|
Jeffrey LaRue | 02/02/2001 10:55PM |
|
RE: Sub News - Occasional review.
|
John Griffiths | 02/02/2001 10:57PM |
|
RE: Sub News - Occasional review.
|
Jeffrey LaRue | 02/04/2001 05:24PM |
|
RE: Sub News - Occasional review.
|
Rainer Bruns | 02/03/2001 01:47AM |
|
RE: Sub News - Occasional review.
|
John Griffiths | 02/02/2001 10:56PM |
|
RE: Sub News - Occasional review.
|
Joe Brennan | 02/03/2001 08:46AM |
|
RE: Sub News - Occasional review.
|
John Griffiths | 02/03/2001 01:56PM |