PNS Alamgir sets sail for Pakistan

[fatman17]

PNS Alamgir sets sail for Pakistan


WASHINGTON, March 21 (APP): The first Oliver Hazard Perry (OHP) Class frigate, acquired by Pakistan Navy from United States, set sail for Pakistan on Monday.The ship, formerly USS McINERNEY (FFG-8)), was commissioned in the Pakistan Navy as PNS ALAMGIR (FFG-260) on August, 31, 2010 in an impressive ceremony at Naval Station Mayport, where Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani was the chief guest.After commissioning, PNS ALAMGIR has undergone extensive modernization and refurbishment at BAE, System Shipyard at Jacksonville Florida. A total of 18 Officers and 218 CPO/ Sailors, who started arriving the US in February 2010,underwent In-house School Training at various schools.

The Ship Transfer and Assistance Team (STAT) had a major contribution in training of the crew at Naval Station, Mayport. PN crew stay in the US contributed towards greater understanding on issues of mutual concern besides strengthening relations between the two countries. Captain Naveed Ashraf T.Bt TI(M) is the first Commanding Officer of PNS ALAMGIR.

Upon completion of successful sea trials and crew workup, the ship set sail for Pakistan on Monday. During her voyage, it will be making port calls in Bermuda (UK), Azores (Portugal), Cadiz (Spain), Golcuk (Turkey), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Salalah (Oman) and would eventually reach Pakistan on 13 May 2011.

PNS ALAMGIR will form part of the 18th Frigate Squadron of Pakistan Navy Fleet.Pakistan is an important member of Global War On Terror (GWOT).In consonance with Pakistani government’s decision to fight terrorism in all its manifestations, Pakistan Navy joined the US-led maritime coalition against terrorism by participating in Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan (CMCP), which is the maritime component of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). It encompasses maritime operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Coalition forces work under overall command of United States Naval Forces Central Command (US NAVCENT) which is the Naval component of US CENTCOM. Its area of responsibility includes the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.

It consists of the US Fifth Fleet and several other subordinate task forces, including Combined Task Forces 150 and 151.These task forces have been assigned different mission and areas of responsibilities for conducting maritime operations in support of CMCP.
Despite resource constraints, Pakistan Navy has been a front-line participant in the CMCP. Pakistan Navy was the first regional navy to form part of CMCP and has significantly contributed its assets to ensuring peace and stability in the region. Since April 2004, Pakistan Navy has contributed one frigate in TF-150 regularly. In addition, the PN also contributes a Type-21 frigate (with embarked helicopter) in TF-151 for counter-piracy operations.

Pakistan Navy has commanded TF-150 four times and is currently commanding the TF-151 off the coast of Somalia. Pakistan was the first non-NATO country to command the Task Force.

Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigates are being operated by many navies in the world. These ships are most suited for conducting Maritime Security Operations, which have become the prime concern of the nations.

PNS ALAMGIR will augment Maritime Security Operations in the Arabian and the adjoining seas. It will also provide strength to the Pakistan Navy Surface Fleet.

PNS ALAMGIR is named after emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir (1618-1707), who was the sixth Muslim ruler of Great Mughal Empire. Alamgir was an able warrior, who fiercely protected his territories and retained the throne for almost 50 years.

He spread the extent of Mughal Empire to the entire Indian Sub-continent and is generally considered to be the last successful Mughal emperor.

PNS ALAMGIR is the third ship to bear this name. The first one was Cr Class Destroyer which was decommissioned in 1982 after remaining in service for about 24 years. The second was Gearing Class Destroyer and remained in service from 1982-1988.

 

[Jango]

unfortunately i am in muscat oman adn not salalah!!!....but good news for pakistan navy!

 

[ares]

Its really strange how Pakistani Navy classifies PNS ALAMGIR a 4200 ton OHP frigate as a frigate, whereas classifies 3200 ton Tariq class(ex- Amazon class) as destroyers.

 

[SAUD-404]

Does this OHP frigate has some thing to do with OHP G class frigates of Turkey. because the way i am seeing it as Turkish navy has a vast Experience on these ships and there were news that they are carring out extensive upgrades to those 8 G class OHP's. My question is that does PN is buying those 6 FFGs to get experience and then later on if needed buying any more from Turkey or this decision of buying FFG from US was following any recommendation by Turkish naval officials because they were satisfied with its performance.

 

[khurasaan1]

is it refixed after its accident at the harbor...in US..?

 

[Jigs]

Idk if Pakistan buying OHPs were influenced by us but they make great long range frigates. The Turkish navy seems to like that. We usually have them deployed in different regions all the time and they have been the only types used in our piracy missions with all of them being rotated at one point or another in the operations. The upgrade we are doing is the genesis combat management system on all 8 ships and a radar(Thales SMART-S MK-2) and MK-41 VLS addition on 4 of the 8. Which most recently pictures showed has been installed on F-495 TCG GEDİZ

Here is a good read on the benefits of Genesis over OHP stock systems. It makes quite a difference.

Legacy shortcomings

Havelsan points out that the legacy FFG-7 combat direction system suffers from a series of shortcomings including: an obsolete hardware design that comprises performance and reliability; limited track capacity (64 targets) as a result of the limited memory (386 kb) of the old AN/UYK-7 Weapon System Processor (WSP); manual tracking of air and surface targets, limiting the accuracy and number of tracks; an outdated, low-resolution human machine interface; manual decoy launching capability only; no integration of the Phalanx CIWS (operates in autonomous Mode only); and limitations in processing and communication result in slow detect-to-engage times. The company also points out that the legacy system has limited future growth capacity due to its central processor architecture.

GENESIS runs on a redundant Gigabit Ethernet LAN and interfaces with all weapon, sensor and platform systems through common subsystem interface units (SIU). A central interface unit replaces both weapon control consoles (WCCs) and is interfaced via an SIU to GENESIS, enabling all WCC functions to be performed by GENESIS consoles.
The WSP is replaced with an open and distributed architecture CMS that runs on modern COTS processors and workstations. While the Mk 92 Mod 2 fire-control system remains, the UYK-7 computer that was used as the WSP is reconfigured as a cold backup replacement of the Mk 92 WCP.

The GENESIS implementation on board the Gaziantep class sees the original Command Integration Capability equipment stripped out, with all legacy OJ-197 and OJ-194 consoles removed together with the WCCs associated with the Mk 92 fire-control system. In their place, the GENESIS fit for G-GCMP introduces eight operator consoles with dual flat panel displays; two tactical consoles with side-by-side displays; and a large screen display. Additional features include integrated video distribution with multiple topside cameras, customised commanding officer and bridge displays, and digital data recording.

According to Havelsan, GENESIS is able to manage up to 1,000 tracks, and is able to perform automatic detection, tracking and correlation with multiple radars. As well as the SPS-49 radar, the system also integrates the Decca navigation radar, IFF (identification, friend-or-foe) and Phalanx CIWS. In the latter case, Phalanx can operate in either standalone or remote modes controlled by GENESIS, offering a capability to be used against air and surface targets at short range. Also, GENESIS enables Phalanx to engage a Mk 92 target.

Harpoon is integrated into GENESIS using a six-word direct interface. Background information can be supplied to the system automatically, reducing engagement planning time and improving accuracy.
Chaff/infrared decoy control functionality is embedded in GENESIS. This enables automatic threat identification, decoy launch and speed/course to steer recommendations to maximise effectiveness.

A new MilSOFT-developed Multi Purpose Tactical Datalink System (MP-TDLS) is also being implemented. MP-TDLS provides a seamless Link 11/16 capability, with potential future growth to Link 22.

 

[KS]

^ I read somewhere that the Mk41 VLS was removed in the OHP given to Pakistan. Can anyone confirm/deny that ?

 

[ace slasher]

when will it come to jeddah?

 

[TOPGUN]

Awsome news... i wonder would this be named as the flagship now of PN ?

 

[truthseeker2010]

^ I read somewhere that the Mk41 VLS was removed in the OHP given to Pakistan. Can anyone confirm/deny that ?

The OHP's had Mk-13 launch system, but it was removed in 2003 due to retirement of SM-1. So OHP's were never equipped with VLS.

 

[alimobin memon]

A Chinese SAM will be added i suppose that would be good huh?

 

[TOPGUN]

A Chinese SAM will be added i suppose that would be good huh?

Rest ashore people some sort of wepon (SAM) will be added forsure

 

[Penguin]

Better have some people with camera's standing by when she arrives on May 13...! Those pics will tell us if something was done about the visible weapons and sensor fit. I'm not expecting to see much.

 

[Dazzler]

I am in the same boat as you Penguin I believe there is not enough on our OHPs to even make them a respectable threat so just i would call them patrol vessels for now till we heard more about weapons and sensors.

 

[Penguin]

I am in the same boat as you Penguin I believe there is not enough on our OHPs to even make them a respectable threat so just i would call them patrol vessels for now till we heard more about weapons and sensors.

I didn't say the OHP don't represent a respectable threat (if I e.g. were a submariner, I would not for a second disrespect this ship in its current state!). Just saying I'm not expecting major changes. I sincerely would like to see the Mk13 launchers + STIR reinstated and if that doesn't happen the installation of at least 2x2 Harpoon and RAM. All I'm saying is that - after many wishlists and a lot of speculation but not firm details on the refurb - we'll have to wait and see what was actually done during refit.