Profile: STM LF-2400 Light Frigate (Turkey)

[The SC]

The Turkish defence contractor Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş. (STM) has been working to generate in-roads in the global naval market. While STM has the Middle East and South America in its sights, Pakistan is among STM’s success stories thanks to a sale of a 15,600-ton Navy Fleet Tanker in 2013 and a 2016 contract to upgrade the Pakistan Navy’s three DCNS Agosta 90B submarines.

Currently, STM is leading an effort to sell four MILGEM corvettes to the Pakistan Navy. At the 2016 International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS), which occurred in Karachi in November, the Turkish Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) stated that it is offering to pilot a financing program to help back the potential purchase. STM stated that it hoped to ink the program in 2017.

Specific details of the Pakistan Navy corvette proposal are not yet known, but since its introduction, the originating MILGEM Ada corvette design has spurned several variants. Among them the I-Class frigate, a 3,000-ton design with 16 vertical launch system (VLS) cells. The first ship of the class, the Istanbul, entered production in January of this year. However, STM and its design partner Delta Marine are offering another MILGEM-based design, especially for the export market – the LF-2400 Light Frigate.

The LF-2400 is a mono-hull warship designed to undertake a wide range of roles including offshore patrol, anti-ship warfare (AShW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-air warfare (AAW). Like the I-Class, the LF-2400’s hull is longer than the MILGEM Ada (108 m vs. 99.5 m), but the LF-2400’s displacement is only marginally heavier than that of the Ada (2,350 tons vs. 2,300 tons).

Considering how close the LF-2400 is to the Ada in terms of its specifications, especially displacement, the ‘frigate’ and ‘corvette’ terminology is irrelevant in this case. However, where the Ada was optimized for ASW (for the Turkish Navy), the LF-2400’s mission profile is broader.

The combined diesel and diesel (CODAD)-powered vessel can also serve as a command and control ship. With a ferry range of 5,000 nautical miles at 15 knots and endurance of 21 days, STM positions the LF-2400 as a complete solution for countries seeking to guard their sea-lines-of-communications (SLOC) and exclusive economic zones (EEZ) from conventional and asymmetrical threats. The LF-2400 has a landing and take-off deck for medium-weight utility and ASW helicopters.

Designed for export, STM has left the customer to decide upon the subsystem and weapons configuration of the LF-2400. The LF-2400 can be armed with a 76 mm forward main gun, a dual-quad anti-ship missile (AShM) launcher (i.e. eight missiles), two stabilized gun platforms, and two triple ASW torpedo launchers.

It is identical to the MILGEM Ada in most respects, but STM and Delta Marine made space rear of the exhaust-stack for 12 (or 16) VLS cells. These can be used to deploy surface-to-air missiles (SAM) and, potentially, surface-to-surface missiles. There is also a spot for the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) point-defence missile system (PDMS), which can provide close-proximity defence against incoming AShM.

Besides armaments, the LF-2400 can be configured in a standard form with a 3D phased-array radar (e.g. Thales Smart-S Mk2), hull-mounted sonar, command, control and communications system, electro-optical system, electronic support measures (ESM) system and countermeasures.

The LF-2400 mirrors the general specifications and capabilities of the DCNS Gowind 2500 corvette, which is a 2,600-ton design with a 76-mm main gun, two 20-mm cannons, dual-quad AShM launchers, two triple lightweight ASW torpedo launchers, and 16-cell VLS. Egypt bought its Gowind 2500s for €250 million per ship, which offer a general understanding of the LF-2400’s price.

Note: The LF-2400’s specifications can be found on Delta Marine’s design portfolio, which is available through the following URL.



http://quwa.org/2017/03/23/profile-stm-lf-2400-light-frigate/

 

[Penguin]

Do not confuse this PESA (passive electronically scanned array) radar :

SMART-S Mk2 is the naval 3D air and surface surveillance radar operating in E/F-band. The multi-beam concept creates a long time-on-target resulting in excellent performance over the whole coverage. Pulse-Doppler processing enables fast target track initiation and stealth target detection, even in a cluttered environment. The use of solid-state transmitters extends the system reliability and allows for graceful degradation.
The latter consisting of a mix of sea, land, islands, coastal rains and thunderstorms and a multiple of radar targets including small surface targets, helicopters and anti-ship missiles. Furthermore, SMART-S Mk2 is designed to match the full performance of surface to air missiles (SAM), such as the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM). SMART-S Mk2 is extremely suitable as the main air and surface surveillance radar in a one radar concept for light frigates, corvettes and ships such as Landing Platform Docks (LPD).
With its 2 main modes, 250-km range, special helicopter mode, surface fire channels, easy installation, high reliability and easy maintainability, SMART-S Mk2 is again a step forward in Thales’s radar development. SMART-S Mk2 is very successful. At present, over 50 systems were sold to navies all over the world. They will be installed on new ships as well as on older vessels that are being modernized.

Main features

• Multi-beam with full Doppler processing within each beam
• Dedicated Doppler channel for surface targets
• Fully automatic detection and tracking of air and surface targets
• Dedicated ECCM techniques
• Multipath suppression using beams under the horizon
• Graceful degradation due to multiple solid-state transmitters

https://www.thalesgroup.com/sites/default/files/asset/document/smart-s-mk2-v01.pdf at https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/defence/smart-s-mk2-3d-medium-long-range-surveillance-radar
https://www.thalesgroup.com/sites/d...ument/Datasheet Smart_Smk2_DS152_10_12_HR.pdf at
https://www.thalesgroup.com/fr/worldwide/defense/smart-s-mk2-3d-medium-long-range-surveillance-radar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART-S

With this AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar:

SMART-L EWC independently finds Ballistic Missile type targets. Following fast track initiation, the ballistic target track is maintained up to zenith. Ballistic Missile detection range is improved significantly by applying forward/backward scanning and staring modes which provides increased observation time.
In traditional radar systems the functionality remains unchanged through its lifespan. However SMART-L EWC is an AESA programmable radar which is characterized by full flexibility. Additional capabilities can be introduced during lifetime according to customer needs. This makes the radar future proof in case of evolving requirements.
SMART-L is operational on the Netherlands', Danish and German air defence frigates and the Korean Landing Platform Dock. SMART-L's derivative, S1850M, is operational on the Royal Navy's Type 45 vessels and the French and Italian Horizon class destroyers. It is under contract for the new British Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.

https://www.thalesgroup.com/sites/default/files/asset/document/smart-l-ewc-v01.pdf
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/defence/smart-l-ewc

Note that the original SMART-L was PESA, only the current SMART-L EWC features AESA.

Also do not confuse with X-band APAR (active phased array radar) multifunction radar
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/defence/apar-active-phased-array-multifunction-radar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART-L
Datasheet SMART L_DS153_10_12.indd at https://ace-notebook.com/datasheet-thales-easy-free-related-pdf.html
or https://www.thalesgroup.com/sites/default/files/asset/document/Datasheet SMART_L_HR.pdf

 

[YeBeWarned]

Do not confuse this PESA (passive electronically scanned array) radar :

https://www.thalesgroup.com/sites/default/files/asset/document/smart-s-mk2-v01.pdf at https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/defence/smart-s-mk2-3d-medium-long-range-surveillance-radar
https://www.thalesgroup.com/sites/default/files/asset/document/Datasheet Smart_Smk2_DS152_10_12_HR.pdf at
https://www.thalesgroup.com/fr/worldwide/defense/smart-s-mk2-3d-medium-long-range-surveillance-radar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART-S

With this AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar:

https://www.thalesgroup.com/sites/default/files/asset/document/smart-l-ewc-v01.pdf
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/defence/smart-l-ewc

Note that the original SMART-L was PESA, only the current SMART-L EWC features AESA.

Also do not confuse with X-band APAR (active phased array radar) multifunction radar
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/defence/apar-active-phased-array-multifunction-radar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART-L
Datasheet SMART L_DS153_10_12.indd at https://ace-notebook.com/datasheet-thales-easy-free-related-pdf.html
or https://www.thalesgroup.com/sites/default/files/asset/document/Datasheet SMART_L_HR.pdf

bro is it possible to add VLS into the existing design ?

 

[The SC]

bro is it possible to add VLS into the existing design ?

several variants. Among them the I-Class frigate, a 3,000-ton design with 16 vertical launch system (VLS) cells..

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

bro is it possible to add VLS into the existing design ?

The LF-2400 has VLS (behind the stack).

 

[Penguin]

bro is it possible to add VLS into the existing design ?

LF2400 has 2 8-cell VLS behind the stack. See parallel threads
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/paki...gates-with-turkey.479495/page-22#post-9317561

 

[Gryphon]

LF2400 has 2 8-cell VLS behind the stack. See parallel threads
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/paki...gates-with-turkey.479495/page-22#post-9317561

I zoomed in but only 12 cells are visible.

 

[YeBeWarned]

Will it be good choice for PN future Corvette/Frigate role ? @Penguin @Quwa @The SC

 

[Cool_Soldier]

PN should study this ship too before making any final decision.

 

[The SC]

Will it be good choice for PN future Corvette/Frigate role ? @Penguin @Quwa @The SC

There are many variants, Pakistan will order the one that fits its requirements and budget.. something custom made will be best..

 

[Penguin]

I zoomed in but only 12 cells are visible.

It's a model. It is not a hi-res image. I-class has a similar set of VLUs forward and it has 16 cells. I am unaware of 12 cell launchers at this time.

 

[el nino]

The LF-2400 mirrors the general specifications and capabilities of the DCNS Gowind 2500 corvette, which is a 2,600-ton design with a 76-mm main gun, two 20-mm cannons, dual-quad AShM launchers, two triple lightweight ASW torpedo launchers, and 16-cell VLS. Egypt bought its Gowind 2500s for €250 million per ship, which offer a general understanding of the LF-2400’s price.

In dollar terms thsts about $275 million for each corvette

I WOULD IMAGINE a deal for 4 Ships at $1.2 billion

What role will these play .

As a corvette size vessel they ewill be limited in range and weapons load and defense to a Destoyer or Frigate

 

[The SC]

In dollar terms thsts about $275 million for each corvette

I WOULD IMAGINE a deal for 4 Ships at $1.2 billion

What role will these play .

As a corvette size vessel they ewill be limited in range and weapons load and defense to a Destoyer or Frigate

We do not know the specs yet, so can't really comment..

 

[Tank131]

I zoomed in but only 12 cells are visible.

I think you're right. It appears to be a 3x4 design but as @Penguin mentioned, i am unaware of a 12 cell unit.

In dollar terms thsts about $275 million for each corvette

I WOULD IMAGINE a deal for 4 Ships at $1.2 billion

What role will these play .

As a corvette size vessel they ewill be limited in range and weapons load and defense to a Destoyer or Frigate

What role they play will be dependent on how they are loaded out. If they have a decent sonar and possibly a ASW rocket system like RDC-32, as well as a reasonable quad packed medium ranged SAM like CAMM or KSAAM, a Command and control systel (like GENESIS) and a good radar suite, then the ship will be a well rounded multi-role ship with strong Anti-Sub, Anti-Ship and Good Anti-Air Defense. I DO think CAMM with A50 would be politically feasible for PN given the current political climate. With 12-16 cells, this ship would have 48-64 Medium range missiles with a quad-packed missile and it would have an additional 21 short range missiles (likely FL-3000N rather than RAM) and 2 CIWS which would make it a reasonably suitable Air defense frigate.

Its size makes it cost effective with likely ~100 crew and at 2350T, its construction is likely less expensive to construct and maintain than even a moderately larger vessel (~3000T). Compare the capabilities of the LF-2400 with 48-64 Medium range SAM, 21 short range SAM, 2 triple torpedo launchers, a medium lift chopper, 8 AShM and possibly 2 RDC-32 ASW Rocket launchers, and 2 CIWS at 2350t vs F-22P with the chopper, torpedos, AShM but a total of 8 short range SAMs at 3000t. Then add to this the comparison of crew size (100 vs 170) and the fact that the 2350t LF-2400 has a 5000km range compared to the 4000km range of the 3000t F-22P

 

[el nino]

F22 cost less and is a chinease frigate that sits towards their lower tier of capability to what they build today. Or 052D would have


I like the sound of the turning ship it sounds power packed like the israeli saar5