Navy Review

India will buy Russian ships
Three Krivak class destroyers are being built for the Indian Navy by Russian shipyards. A cold war era design, these vessels are being updated with advanced features to cope with modern warfare.

Called Talwar by the Indians, they were originally called frigates, but with the addition of a surface to air missile called Kashmir, they have been upgraded to destroyer status. The new ship will incorporate stealth, a first for an Indian naval vessel.

Negotiations are still underway for the Indians to purchase the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, also a cold war veteran. The carrier is apart of the Kiev class of anti-submarine carriers built during the 1970’s-80’s.

Increased funds for new ships
The US Navy will transfer some $40 billion to buy new warships, mainly at the expense of older vessels, which will be retired early. Altogether $90 billion will be shifted to new weapons for the four services.

Some of the new weapons are the CVN-21 carrier, formerly CVNX-1, a new destroyer, a class of patrol ships called LCS, and Virginia class submarines. Four older Trident missile subs are being converted to Arsenal Submarines, carrying 150 Tomahawk cruise missiles, unmanned vehicles, and SEALs.

The retiring of ships will come at a time when the Navy is struggling to maintain a fleet of 300 vessels. Chief of Operations Verne Clark says the US needs 375 ships to maintain its world-wide commitments. Next year only 5 new vessels will be built, with 7 more in 2004.

US contractors will build sub for Taiwan
Four US defense contractors will compete to build diesel/electric submarines for Taiwan. European firms have opted out for fear of angering China.

The companies are General Dynamics, Northrop/Grumman, Raytheon, and Lockheed-Martin.

The US has not constructed conventional subs for over 50 years, preferring to concentrate on an all nuclear undersea fleet. To offset their inexperience foreign experts may be hired to assist in the design.

Briefs

-The US government says Canada is making plans in case of war with Iraq. Canada already has 2 Halifax class frigates in the Gulf as well as support ships.
-The new CVN-21 carrier will carrier advanced weaponry when built. This will include an electromagnetic rail gun capable of firing projectiles great distances by the use of magnets.
-Britain is seeking 3 more transport vessels to ferry its armored troops to Iraq. On December 18 three large vessels were bought for this purpose.
-An amphibious landing in the Gulf will be the first combat beach assault for America since the Inchon landing 52 years ago, during the Korean War. Britain carried out 2 amphibious assaults during the Cold War, the Suez Crisis in 1956, and the Falklands in 1982.

The answer to last weeks poll, "Ballistic Missle Submarines are nicknamed:" The answer is "Boomers":
A nuclear submarine armed with ballistic missiles(Dictionary.com)
54% of you said "Spooks". Thanks for playing!

For more info go to: Naval Technology

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