Oliver Hazard Class Frigate Acquisition by Pakistan

[Imran Khan]

Oh please, do a little reading of earlier post. This has been chewed out in extenso:

20mm phalanx CIWS
2-3 25mm Bushmaster cannon
76mm Oto Melara naval gun
2x3 torpedotubes for 324mm ASW lightweight torps
chaff/flares
nixie torp decoy
EW countermeasures (ESM, Jammers)
2x helicopter (for both ASW and ASuW roles)
full set of sensors, including towed array sonar.

its scrap without Mk-13 (SM-2) we have habit to keep worlds navy junk in service

 

[Penguin]

its scrap without Mk-13 (SM-2) we have habit to keep worlds navy junk in service

The Perry class FFG forms a capable undersea warfare [USW] platform with the LAMPS-III helicopter onboard. The Mk 13 Mod 4 missile launcher provides secondary anti-air capability.
...
PERRY-class frigates are primarily Undersea Warfare ships intended to provide open-ocean escort of amphibious ships and convoys in low to moderate threat environments in a global war with the Soviet Union. They could also provide limited defense against anti-ship missiles extant in the 70’s and 80’s. The ships are equiped to escort and protect carrier battle groups, amphibious landing groups, underway replenishment groups and convoys. They can also conduct independent operations to perform such tasks as counterdrug surveillance, maritime interception operations, and exercises with other nations. The addition of NTDS, LAMPS helicopters, and the Tactical Towed Array System (TACTAS) has given these ships a combat capability far beyond the class program expectations of the mid-1970's, and has made the ships an integral and valued asset in virtually any war-at-sea scenario and particularly well suited for operation in the littoral

FFG-7 OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class

Admittedly, that is with Mk13, Stir, Harpoon and SM1.... Still, the ASW capability is untouched even without those. Meanwhile, Harpoon could easily be lifted and transferred from retiring Type 21s, as was done from Gearings to Type 21s. All that would be needed is a SAM system.

The lack of a SAM can be very easily and cost-effectively addressed via one Mk 49 21-round launcher for the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile, or its chinese equivalent FL-300N missile system, forward of the bridge. Maybe even two, if you replace the Phalanx CIWS as well. Or use 1-2 SeaRAM systems, which integrate 11x RAM within a single CIWS mount.

While the guided missile frigates (FFG) bring an anti-air warfare (AAW) capability to the frigate mission, they have some limitations. The FFG-7 Class has good capability against (2 or less) medium and high altitude ASMs. If equipped with the SM-1 BLK VIB and Mod 6 FCS, it also has a good capability against low altitude ASMs. It features an improved 2D air search radar, and high SM-1 salvo rate against a single target. However, the cycle time for SM-1 is relatively long, and the capability against low ASMs for Mod 2/SM-1 BLK VIA ships is poor. Radar illuminator blockage zones are excessive, and the radars must illuminate target continuously during missile flight. The long range air search radar is 2D, and track capacity is limited.

FFG-7 OLIVER HAZARD PERRY-class Weapons

Switching to SM2 doesnt solve the issues of long cycle time, excessive radar illuminator blockage zones, limited search radar track capacity, having only a single illuminator for missile guidance etc. (WM-25 could also illuminate but only out to ranges far less than that of SM2). Not even on ships that are refitted with GENESIS. So it is questional whether such a refit with SM2 would be worth the expenditure for PN. Particularly if the ships are not intended to serve as ships for limited area air defence.

Now, if you were talking about installing a mk41 tactical VLU forward with 32 ESSM (about same range as SM1) and reinstatement of STIR, then it would be a different story alltogether ...

 

[Penguin]

Alledgedly posted by one of the yard workers present at a blog:

While doing dock trials in preparation for next week's sea trials, someone engaged the shaft clutch.
The ship then pulled against the Kevlar reinforced lifelines until they snapped. The ship shot towards the head of the pier (about 100 ft) and hit so hard that it rode up the pier, striking a large crane with the bullnose

 

[Aamir Hussain]

The picture shows the stern of the ship partly hidden behind the wharf. The presumably crumpled bow is not visible in the snap.

But thanks for the link --tons of other info on this site.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

Alledgedly posted by one of the yard workers present at a blog:

Unfortunate incident, but as i thought it might be.
Refer my post on this subject, #650
Wish the ship was turned "nose out" towards the harbor channel, might have mitigated the damage. "Nose in" alongside the finger pier had insufficient space for a possible over-run.
No vacant berth/space ahead as per SOP.

 

[Penguin]

Former U.S. Naval Ship Sails to its New Homeport in Pakistan


(Source: US Defense Security Cooperation Agency; issued March 25, 2011)



The Pakistani warship, the PNS Alamgir, officially departed from Naval Station Mayport after several months of refurbishment and the training of its personnel on 21 March. It is scheduled to arrive at its home port in Karachi, Pakistan 53 days from now.

The PNS Alamgir started its life as the USS McInerney (FFG-8), an Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate. Pakistan acquired it from the U.S. under the Department of Defense Excess Defense Articles program because the U.S. Navy planned to decommission it after 31 years of service. Pakistan signed the transfer deal on 21 April 2010 and it was formally transferred during a ceremony at Naval Station Mayport on 31 August 2010.

The frigate underwent dry docking and pier-side refurbishment at BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards from September 2010 to March 2011 using $58.7 million of Foreign Military Financing funds.

The frigate is equipped with anti-ship missiles, a 76-mm naval gun, and torpedo launchers. It can also carry two SH-60 Seahawk multi-purpose helicopters.

There was an additional $6.5 million spent on specialized training on the ship’s engineering, navigation and combat systems for the crew of 240 Pakistani sailors during the overhaul.

The PNS Alamgir will join the Pakistan Navy Maritime Patrol (MARPAT) mission which is a critical piece in Coalition Maritime Forces counter-narcotics and counter-terror operations (CTF-150) as well as counter-piracy efforts around the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea (CTF-151).

LCDR Raja Hussain, the Pakistan Foreign Military Sales Country Program Director for the Navy International Programs Office -- the organization responsible for brokering the deal -- said that the transfer is tactically crucial. “Pakistan is already an active partner in each taskforce and has even taken command of CTF 150 four times,” said Hussain. “This transfer not only strengthens the partnership between the two nations, but it will also pave the way for future military-to-military exchanges.”

The Pakistan Navy can also use the frigate to monitor its country’s coastline for illegal narcotics trafficking. “Over half of the heroin coming from Afghanistan is smuggled through Pakistan. There is a relationship as narcotics trafficking sometimes serves as a financial base for terrorist operations,” he said. “Therefore, missions on the coastline serve to increase stability in the region and enhance the national security of the United States.”

Former U.S. Naval Ship Sails to its New Homeport in Pakistan

I.e. $65 million in foreign military financing
DSCA -- FMF

I.e. apparently no new weaponry installed, or systems reinstated.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

You meant it was a floating bath tub

 

[razgriz19]

Former U.S. Naval Ship Sails to its New Homeport in Pakistan

I.e. $65 million in foreign military financing
DSCA -- FMF





I.e. apparently no new weaponry installed, or systems reinstated.

its gonna take part in anti piracy operations, so maybe thats why they PN didn't equip it with heavy weapons..

 

[Penguin]

You meant it was a floating bath tub

Mmmm, no. Not at all.

 

[Penguin]

its gonna take part in anti piracy operations, so maybe thats why they PN didn't equip it with heavy weapons..

Just yet.... PNs Tariq class (ex UK Amazon) where reequipped on delivery (which for the OHP may still mean: when it gets home)

 

[khurasaan1]

It is just for anti piracy operations and thats it ...or just do cruising across the ocean...for spending nice vacations...more probably a real dream cruise....I wanna ride in that too....
cant be used effectively against Indian Navy...

 

[Aamir Hussain]

I agree with Penguin here. If we were back in the mid eighties we would have been debating and commenting on the "Purchase" the six Amazon's with the same disdain that some of the members are showing today on the transfer of this OHP program. At that time the Amazon's did not have an anti ship capability, no anti air capability, nor the capability to embark helos. Over the years PN added strong AShM, Last ditch Phalanx, and some limited short range AA missiles -- all this during the time of stringent military embargos.

The plain truth is that we do not have the money to finance brand new ships /subs.-- and we have a severe shortage of submarines and major surface units keeping in view the emerging challenges in the region. And the surface combatant we do have, are fast reaching their useful operational life. If the Chinese were as forth coming as we would wish them to be we would not looking west and settling for 30 year old vessels. China also has to concentrate upon their own Naval requirements. Furthermore, it takes atleast three to four years before the first vessel emerges from the time the agreement was inked. This is how long it took for the three F-22's to arrive. If we wanted more platforms from China, we should have started the negotiations for purchase right after the production for F22's started. I think the Navy took the cautious route and wanted to operationally evaluate the F-22's and than go for more platforms. PN did not have a good track record with vessels of Chinese origins (Mostly gun/missile boats and some fast torpedo hydrofoils). They had to be heavily modified when in service including engines and ancillary equipment like heat exchangers etc. But then, China has come a long way in Naval Technology and intertion of complex systems from the early seventies when PN did most of its acquistion of Chinese platforms.

We can all crib about the what should be done but the bottom line is what can be done is being done under the circumstances. We may not like it but then we are not making th decision with a 360 degree view from where we stand.

 

[Penguin]

It is just for anti piracy operations and thats it ...or just do cruising across the ocean...for spending nice vacations...more probably a real dream cruise....I wanna ride in that too....
cant be used effectively against Indian Navy...

Clearly, you're not going to send this OHP up against e.g. a Talwar frigate alone.... (as in: DUH!)

I think you are totally underestimating the retained ASW capability of this ship, which is quite considerable. It is in effect more capable in that department than both F22P and Type 21. And there is nothing to prevent pairing a couple of F22P with an OHP on patrol, which together make for a capable allround patrol group with 4 helicopters, 3 hulls (i.e. a set of 7 ASW sensor and weapons platforms, which can make life for an IN sub quite miserable), that can fend for itself using 2x octuple HQ7, 2x8 AShM, 5 CIWS gun mounts, 3x 76mm DP naval guns, and that is backed by land-based aviation (MPA's and naval strike fighter jets). Besides ASW gear, those helicopters can also carry light AShM, ATGWs, gun pods etc.

Nay to the nay-sayers. Aye to the system thinkers.

 

[Penguin]

The ship set sail for Pakistan on Monday [March 21st], after the completion of the final trials and cre workup. The ship is scheduled to stop at Bermuda (UK), Azores (Portugal), Cadiz (Spain), Golcuk (Turkey), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Salalah (Oman) and would eventually reach Pakistan on 13 May 2011.

Get your camera's ready!

Wonder why she's stopping over in Rota naval base, Cadiz, Spain (4 of 6 Santa Maria class [locally buit OHPs] receiving a mid-life update (MLU), including a new EW suite, improved combat-data system, an upgrade of the Mk92 FCS, new electrical generators, removal of the SQR-19 TACTASS towed array and habitability improvements) and Gölcük Naval Base, Turkey (another country extensively modernizing its OHPs, with Mk41/ESSM and Genesis) ... note she's not making an official stop in Egypt (which has not elected to upgrade its 4 used OHPs just yet). Though clearly she will pass close by Port Said and Suez, and by Hurghada and Safaga, on the way to Saudi Arabia

The PNS ALAMGIR will be a part of the 18th Frigate Squadron of the Pakistan Navy Fleet. Pakistan has become one of the important members of Global War on Terror (GWOT). Due to Pakistani government’s decision to fight terrorism, the Pakistan Navy joined the maritime coalition against terrorism which is led by the US. At the moment the Navy participates in the Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan (CMCP) which is one of the maritime components of the Global War on Terrorism. The CMCP encompasses operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). The coalition forces work under the command of United States Naval Forces Central Command (US NAVCENT). The responsibility areas include the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea and Red Sea.
...
The PNS ALAMGIR is scheduled to augment Maritime Security Operations in the Arabian Sea. Another of its goals is to support the Pakistan Navy Surface Fleet.

Hence the stops in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Salalah (Oman). She'll interoperate nicely.

Source(s):
PNS Alamgir Oliver Hazard Parry (OHP) Frigate after modernisation set sail for Pakistan
http://asian-defence.blogspot.com/2011/03/pns-alamgir-oliver-hazard-perry-ohp.html

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

ahhh yes Golcuk shipyards....a stone's throw from Degirmendere which is where i resided for some time.