I still dont see why pn doesn't try to acquire the 3-4 remaining Adelaides as they retire. They are good ships able to serve another 15+years and would be dirt cheap.
Question is whether Australia would be willing to sell its ships to Pakistan, and - if so - at what price. The ships would still overwhelmingly use US weapons, sensors and parts, which are seen here (at the forum) as less desirable due to 'strings attached'. So, another question would be whether the US would be willing to provide logistical support in case of any such acquisition.
As for MiLGEM, we will have to wait and see. It PN wanted to get MILGEM - ADA, one wonders why for cost and systems and patrol, one wonders why it didn't go for the chinese 1500t multi-mission frigate with its 2 ciws and 24 vls cells. If you replaced the rear ciws with PDMS like FL-3000N it would be even better. A cost effective small patrol sized vessel capable of a bigger punch.
There are plenty of potentially promising ship designs out there. Choices should start by outlining what the ship should be able to do / capable of. E.g. in terms of range/endurance/seakeeping (operating alone or within a group, potentially with higher end ships), and in terms of weapons/sensors (multirole or specialized ship or ships). Then you see of there are existing designs that fit the bill 'as is' or with some adaptations, or whether something designed to order is best. Logistically, if difference ships are used, it would be nice if these share components and systems, to bring down costs, including of acquisition, training and maintenance.
If you read my post about the FACs being used for patrol i stated it was to supplement larger vessels to make up numbers. PN would still have 8 large surface vessels (4 F-22P, 1 OHP, 3 Istanbul class), and 11 AIP subs. Having more FAC means those ships would be patrolling the EEZ and the FACs would be responsible for the litoral waters. You would have far more capabilities with those three better equipped surface vessels and 1-2 FAC than with 4 Ada.
PN would have far more capabilities is they got e.g. 3-4 Alvaro de Bazan / Hobart ships. Except, should this be realistically attainable (importantly, but not solely a money issue), there would not likely be much left for anything else....
- There is the matter of block obsolescence needing to be addressed (i.e. need for a certain number of new hulls)
- There is the reality of (very) limited resources
- There are the limitations on where/from whom PN could acquire ships/weapons/sensors.
- There is the 'obsession' (for lack of a better term) on 'facing the IN', which is NOT what the day to day reality of PN operations mainly consists of.
The smaller Nansen class (Bazan/Hobart little sister): also nice. Still, NOT a realistic option.
In the 'small' department, why not some of these:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baynunah-class_corvette
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/baynunah-class-corvettes-united-arab-emirates.356894/
About 900 tons, 2,400 nmi range, 30+ knots
Armament:
- 1 × OTO Melara 76 mm/62 caliber naval gun
- 2 × Rheinmetall MLG 27 27 mm guns
- 8 × MBDA MM40 block 3 Exocet missiles
- 1 × mk49 mod3 21-cell RAM launcher for RAM block 1A missile system
- 2 Mk48/56 VLS (4 cells > 8 ESSM)
- Aft helicopter deck and hangar (Z-9 capable)
No ASW/Sonar except if/what carried by helicopter.
Cost, as of February 2009, is US$820 million for the entire 6 ship programme (i.e. $137million approx. 'unit cost')
The class is based on the CMN Group's Combattante BR70 design. The first was built in France by Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie, while the rest are being built in the UAE by Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB). ADSB had hoped to secure further orders for the class from the Saudi and Kuwaiti navies but these are no longer interested. Which may make UAE/ADSB very willing to work with PN.
I could picture a version:
- equipped with mainly Chinese equivalent weapons but a Western SAM
- patrol/ASW oriented, with lighter/lesser armament, fewer/smaller diesels (=lower top speed), possible greater bunkerage (=more range), using the same hull and core systems.
