Nakhoda Ragam Class Corvettes for the Pakistan Navy - A Proposition

[HAIDER]

Bismillah arrahaman arrahim. I came across the Nakhoda Ragam Class boats and it appears that they are still up for sale after almost 11 years since they were launched. The boats were originally ordered by Brunei Darussalam and contracted to a British shipyard. There was a disagreement, and the ships were not suitable for Brunei. The reason is perhaps that the Brunei Navy operates diesel engine boats and does not have facilities to maintain the turbine engines these boats are designed with.

The Brunei government sought to sell the boats but the boats have yet to find a buyer. There was talk that Algeria had already bought the boats, but this seems to be false from this report which states:


The only other option for Algeria was the three ex-Brunei class corvettes that are for sale on the used market. AMI’s source indicates that these have been ruled out.


If these boats are still available, they could prove useful for the Pakistan Navy, provided they can get them at bargain basement prices. The systems are still relatively modern, and they pack quite a punch. Pakistan was originally interested in purchasing these boats but their negotiations with the German company Lurssen, in charge of selling the boats, was not particularly fruitful. Not surprising given that the asking price back then was $300 million per boat.


If the boats are still available for sale, I would suggest Pakistan makes another bid for them, but in a somewhat different manner. A team of senior Pakistani military officers should be sent to Brunei and approach the Sultan personally. The Sultan is popular, fair and generous, a very reasonable man by all accounts. A reasonable offer may be made perhaps along the following lines:

1. That Brunei sells the ships at $50 million per boat.

2. That one corvette will serve the Royal Brunei Navy for 6 months after every 2 years.

3. That the boat mentioned in point 2 above will be manned and operated by the Pakistan Navy but fly the Brunei Flag and have a Royal Brunei officer on board in joint command.

4. That this boat (mentioned in point 2) will patrol and operate in Brunei waters guarding Brunei's maritime interest during this period.

5. That during national emergencies in either Brunei or Pakistan, all three boats will be deployed to the state under threat.

6. That the above treaty will be in effect for 10 years from the date the boats are handed over to Pakistan.

Such a solution would be helpful for both Brunei, who have boats rusting in some pier in UK, not to mention the costs involved with keeping them, and Pakistan, that badly needs naval assets on the cheap to counter a much larger naval threat.
Grande Strategy

 

[bubble123]

Hmm there are lots of boats around the world for sale provided we can come uo with the will(rather than cash) to buy.

Anyways a great suggestion.

 

[S-A-B-E-R->]

well if we had the money i guss we will go for MILGAM class corvets which r new and fall some what in the same price range.

 

[Penguin]

well if we had the money i guss we will go for MILGAM class corvets which r new and fall some what in the same price range.

The Ragam's are new in the sense they have never been accepted into service with any navy. Main drawback imho is their lack of a helicopter hangar (unlike their near sisters of the Malaysian navy: the Lekiu class)

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

At 50 million $ for a 300 mill boat... i say they should make a dash for it!

 

[nomi007]

300 million $ for 3 boats
Royal Brunei Navy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
if sultan will dive us free than ok otherwise we already have good stuff

 

[Penguin]

The boats were originally ordered by Brunei Darussalam and contracted to a British shipyard. There was a disagreement, and the ships were not suitable for Brunei. The reason is perhaps that the Brunei Navy operates diesel engine boats and does not have facilities to maintain the turbine engines these boats are designed with.

Each of these ships is powered by four MAN 20 RK270 diesel engines driving two shafts: what turbine engines?

Combined with 6 F22P, maybe not a bad set-up for PN: enough to have a group of 2x F22P, 1x F2000 and an 1x SSK available at all times (with another ''in transit' and the third 'in maintenance'), supported by an AOR.

 

[acetophenol]

hmmm,may be yes.

 

[Cool_Soldier]

I am personally not in favour of these boats because in the same price we can get something new with attack anti ship missiles.At the moment era is coveting in to stealth technology.We should go for latest technology.Our recent purchase of Azmat class FAC is cool decision.If we go for milgem class corvette will be great decision.

Secondly, I am doubtful it would be carrying long range anti ship missile such as C-803.

 

[Cool_Soldier]

Brunei is very small country with four cities(district) and is facing no such threats as we face in region.So their doctrine is quite different and according to their regional defence requirements.11 years old deal that does not suit them , how can suit to PN.

However, It is really a rich Islamic country and really nice area to visit.If Sultan gift to PN, we will e thankful to Sultan .

 

[Donatello]

Bismillah arrahaman arrahim. I came across the Nakhoda Ragam Class boats and it appears that they are still up for sale after almost 11 years since they were launched. The boats were originally ordered by Brunei Darussalam and contracted to a British shipyard. There was a disagreement, and the ships were not suitable for Brunei. The reason is perhaps that the Brunei Navy operates diesel engine boats and does not have facilities to maintain the turbine engines these boats are designed with.

The Brunei government sought to sell the boats but the boats have yet to find a buyer. There was talk that Algeria had already bought the boats, but this seems to be false from this report which states:


The only other option for Algeria was the three ex-Brunei class corvettes that are for sale on the used market. AMI’s source indicates that these have been ruled out.


If these boats are still available, they could prove useful for the Pakistan Navy, provided they can get them at bargain basement prices. The systems are still relatively modern, and they pack quite a punch. Pakistan was originally interested in purchasing these boats but their negotiations with the German company Lurssen, in charge of selling the boats, was not particularly fruitful. Not surprising given that the asking price back then was $300 million per boat.


If the boats are still available for sale, I would suggest Pakistan makes another bid for them, but in a somewhat different manner. A team of senior Pakistani military officers should be sent to Brunei and approach the Sultan personally. The Sultan is popular, fair and generous, a very reasonable man by all accounts. A reasonable offer may be made perhaps along the following lines:

1. That Brunei sells the ships at $50 million per boat.

2. That one corvette will serve the Royal Brunei Navy for 6 months after every 2 years.

3. That the boat mentioned in point 2 above will be manned and operated by the Pakistan Navy but fly the Brunei Flag and have a Royal Brunei officer on board in joint command.

4. That this boat (mentioned in point 2) will patrol and operate in Brunei waters guarding Brunei's maritime interest during this period.

5. That during national emergencies in either Brunei or Pakistan, all three boats will be deployed to the state under threat.

6. That the above treaty will be in effect for 10 years from the date the boats are handed over to Pakistan.

Such a solution would be helpful for both Brunei, who have boats rusting in some pier in UK, not to mention the costs involved with keeping them, and Pakistan, that badly needs naval assets on the cheap to counter a much larger naval threat.
Grande Strategy

They were placed at 300 million $ per boat? What a joke.

You get a fully loaded ASW frigate in that amount.

 

[Cool_Soldier]

Agree, F22p cost us 175 Million $. and new Type 54A will cost us around 250 Million $It must be mistake in quoting price of these corvettes.

 

[monitor]

Price are very high though they almost called a frigate though they luck a hanger for helicopter . if they price reduced only then it can be consider though it will be maintenance hazard with different origin of war ship and weapons system from china turkey and Us .

 

[zulfiqar74]

Bismillah arrahaman arrahim. I came across the Nakhoda Ragam Class boats and it appears that they are still up for sale after almost 11 years since they were launched. The boats were originally ordered by Brunei Darussalam and contracted to a British shipyard. There was a disagreement, and the ships were not suitable for Brunei. The reason is perhaps that the Brunei Navy operates diesel engine boats and does not have facilities to maintain the turbine engines these boats are designed with.

The Brunei government sought to sell the boats but the boats have yet to find a buyer. There was talk that Algeria had already bought the boats, but this seems to be false from this report which states:


The only other option for Algeria was the three ex-Brunei class corvettes that are for sale on the used market. AMI’s source indicates that these have been ruled out.


If these boats are still available, they could prove useful for the Pakistan Navy, provided they can get them at bargain basement prices. The systems are still relatively modern, and they pack quite a punch. Pakistan was originally interested in purchasing these boats but their negotiations with the German company Lurssen, in charge of selling the boats, was not particularly fruitful. Not surprising given that the asking price back then was $300 million per boat.


If the boats are still available for sale, I would suggest Pakistan makes another bid for them, but in a somewhat different manner. A team of senior Pakistani military officers should be sent to Brunei and approach the Sultan personally. The Sultan is popular, fair and generous, a very reasonable man by all accounts. A reasonable offer may be made perhaps along the following lines:

1. That Brunei sells the ships at $50 million per boat.

2. That one corvette will serve the Royal Brunei Navy for 6 months after every 2 years.

3. That the boat mentioned in point 2 above will be manned and operated by the Pakistan Navy but fly the Brunei Flag and have a Royal Brunei officer on board in joint command.

4. That this boat (mentioned in point 2) will patrol and operate in Brunei waters guarding Brunei's maritime interest during this period.

5. That during national emergencies in either Brunei or Pakistan, all three boats will be deployed to the state under threat.

6. That the above treaty will be in effect for 10 years from the date the boats are handed over to Pakistan.

Such a solution would be helpful for both Brunei, who have boats rusting in some pier in UK, not to mention the costs involved with keeping them, and Pakistan, that badly needs naval assets on the cheap to counter a much larger naval threat.
Grande Strategy

Unfortunately in the defence doctorine this idea will not apply that 2 different countries commanding 1 boat... if pak navy want these boats an brunie navy offers it. They can either buy it or lease it for a time period. there are not other options. same idology is practiced with the chinese uk an usa defence deals.

 

[Aamir Hussain]

The Nakhoda Ragam Class of 1,940 t offshore patrol vessels have been built for Brunei by BAE Systems. The first and second of class, Nakhoda Ragam and Bendahara Sakam, were launched in January and June 2001 at the Scotstoun shipyard of BAE Systems Marine. The launch of the third patrol vessel, the Jerambak, took place in June 2002.

All three vessels have been completed and are awaiting acceptance by the Royal Brunei Navy.

A dispute between BAE Systems and the Brunei Government regarding the acceptance of the vessels is currently the subject of a hearing at the International Court of Arbitration. A settlement was reached in June 2007 and Brunei accepted delivery of the vesssels. However, the Royal Brunei Navy has no plans to commission the ships. Ownership remains with Brunei.

The vessels are berthed at the James Fisher yard in Barrow and BAE Systems has a contract to maintain the ships. They are to be sold with Lurssen as the selling agent.

The governments of UK and Brunei agreed a memorandum of understanding in 1994 on defence cooperation. Brunei issued a revised request for tenders (RFT) in 1995 for three offshore patrol vessels. In 1995 it was announced that BAE Systems (then GEC Shipbuilders) had been selected as the prime contractor.

The ship design is a new variant of the F2000 family. A high level of automation in the ship allows operation by a crew of 79. Accommodation is provided for the crew and an additional 24 personnel if required.

Command and control
The patrol vessel is equipped with the Nautis II command and weapons control system supplied by Alenia Marconi Systems, now BAE Systems Insyte.

The Nautis II has multifunction consoles to support engagements against airborne, surface and submarine threats. Data is downloaded from the ship's sensors and weapons systems to provide a battlezone / operational area situation display as well as navigation, target tracking, threat and weapons allocation and weapons control functions.

The command and control system can also operate in training mode to provide realistic simulated scenarios and engagements.

Missiles
The vessel's anti-ship missile is the MBDA (Aerospatiale) Exocet MM40 block II missile, with a range of 70km. Range and bearing data are downloaded into the missile's on-board computer. The missile uses inertial guidance for the cruise phase of the trajectory and then active radar homing by active monopulse seeker head. The sea-skimming missile approaches the target at high subsonic speed, Mach 0.9.

The two blocks of four launch tubes are arranged crossed, one block facing starboard and one to the port side, on the missile deck to the stern of the main mast.

The ship's surface-to-air missile is the MBDA (BAE Systems) Seawolf, which has a range of up to 6km against aircraft or missiles. The missile uses a microwave link command-to-line-of-sight guidance system with television and radar tracking. A solid fuel propulsion rocket provides a speed of Mach 2.5.

The 16-cell VLS (vertical launch system) is installed in the forward main gun deck between the main gun and the bridge.

Guns.
The main gun, Oto Melara 76mm super rapid, installed on the forward gun deck, provides defence against surface and airborne targets. The firing rate is 110 rounds a minute and range is up to 16km.

Two MSI Defence DS 30B REMSIG 30mm guns, installed on the port and starboard side on aft upper deck forward of the flight deck, are capable of firing 650 rounds a minute to a range of 10km.

Torpedoes
The ship is equipped with two triple 324mm torpedo tubes from BAE Systems.

Countermeasures
The electronic warfare suite includes a Thales Sensors Cutlass 242 electronic support measures system and a Scorpion radar jammer. The Super Barricade decoy launch system from Wallop Defence is installed on both sides of the raised mast deck just aft of the bridge.

Aircraft
The aft flight deck, approximately 285m², has a single landing spot for a medium size helicopter, such as the S-70B Seahawk. The ship does not provide hangar facilities.

Sensors
The ship is equipped with a Radamec 2500 electro-optic weapons director, which includes an eye-safe laser range-finder, TV and thermal imager and is used for gun fire control and surveillance. The hull-mounted sonar is the medium frequency Thales Underwater Systems TMS 4130C1.

The large rectangular antenna of the E and F-band air and surface search radar, the BAE Systems Insyte AWS-9 3D for surveillance and target indication, is mounted at the top of the main mast tower.

The radar system also includes two BAE Insyte 1802SW I/J-band radar trackers, which provide target illumination for the Seawolf missile system, Kelvin Hughes Type 1007 navigation radar and Thales Nederland Scout radar for surface search.

Engines
The ship is powered by four MAN 20 RK270 diesel engines driving two shafts. The ships achieve a speed of 30kt. The range at an economical speed of 12kt is 5,000 miles.

Nakhoda Ragam Class - Naval Technology