Russia offers Egypt modern equipment for Mistral ships

[Gomig-21]

I am perfectly serious! Do not over state the initially intended self defence armament. Clearly, the French can't deliver Russian weapons (Ak630s, Gibka's). However, that does not have to preclude Egypt from buying similar French arms (e.g. Sandral or Simbad RC and 20mm cannon) or stick on e.g. 2 Phalanx and 2 11-round RAM via FMS funding (of which Egypt gets a lot). BUT THEY (THE EGYPTIANS) DIDN'T.

So, they make do with what they got, and it is NOT a bad solution esp. if they can use the Avenger associated Forward Area Air Defense Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (FAAD C3I) system, which permits external radar tracks and messages to be passed to the fire unit to alert and cue the gunner, to connect with the ships' command system.

FAAD C3I effectively utilizes joint and combined information by processing the air
picture received from USAF E-3 (AWACS), USN E-2C (Hawkeye), and TADIL-B sources such as Patriot.
• TADIL-A: A secure, half-duplex, netted digital data link normally operated in a roll-call mode under control of a net control station to exchange information between land-based, airborne, and shipboard tactical data systems. NATO’s equivalent is Link 11.
• TADIL-B: A secure, full-duplex, point-to-point digital data link used to connect Patriot brigades and SHORAD units to the CRC and other points. NATO’s equivalent is Link 4.
• TADIL-J: A secure, high capacity, jam-resistant, nodeless data link which uses the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) transmission characteristics and the protocols, conventions, and fixed-length message formats defined by JTIDS. It is a timeshared net used by airborne, shipboard, and land-based tactical combat operations. NATO’s equivalent is Link 16.
Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) is a jam resistant, secure data and voice communications system used for command, control, and identification. JTIDS provides FAAD C2I with a TADIL-J (link 16) capability to participate on the JDN.

Mistral-class ships can be used as command and control ships, with a 850-square-metre (9,100 sq ft) command centre which can host up to 150 personnel. Information from the ship's sensors is centralised in the SENIT system (Système d'Exploitation Navale des Informations Tactiques, "System for Naval Usage of Tactical Information"), a derivative of the US Navy's Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS). Problems in the development of the SENIT 9 revision contributed to the one-year delay in the delivery of the two ships. SENIT 9 is based around Thales' tri-dimensional MRR3D-NG Multi Role Radar, which operates on the C band and incorporates IFF capabilities. SENIT 9 can also be connected to NATO data exchange formats through Link 11, Link 16 and Link 22.

You know he knows all this already, right? Good post.

 

[Ceylal]

serious! Do not over state the initially intended self defence armament

You said it again, that is exactly what I wrote! They were delivered empty, we can't talk about what the Russian may or may not deliver...the fact of having a humvee chained to the deck speaks volume...case closed Pal!
In the US too, at a certain time , they used manpads in the aircraft carrier...when they were a little bit leary about its close up defense..the phalanx replaced that.

 

[Ceylal]

You know he knows all this already, right? Good post.

You are the only one who believes that...Even Penguin doesn't..he is just speculating..read his comment carefully and he said clearly in several instances that they will be..equipped..which is mean now they are just two empty barrels floating somewhere in Egypt...by the time the Russian furnish the equipments ( and if they do) that two mistrals will be close to moathballing...son now you have nothing to brag about...

 

[Penguin]

You said it again, that is exactly what I wrote! They were delivered empty, we can't talk about what the Russian may or may not deliver...the fact of having a humvee chained to the deck speaks volume...case closed Pal!
In the US too, at a certain time , they used manpads in the aircraft carrier...when they were a little bit leary about its close up defense..the phalanx replaced that.

They were intended to receive 2 AK630 and 2 Gibka launchers (= 4 Igla Manpads per launcher). That is light armament even if it had been delivered by the Russians.

Obviously, the French cannot deliver Russian weapons. They can deliver French weapons though. By comparision, these ships in French service have:

• 2 × Simbad systems
• 2 x NARWHAL 20mm RWS
• 2 x 7,62 × 51 mm M134 miniguns
• 4 × 12.7 mm M2-HB Browning machine guns

Of these, the Narwhal 2m RWS is already in Egypotian navy service and I do no doubt smaller Egyptian craft have US made machine guns mounted. So, the only thing 'off' would be SIMBAD, which is a pair of manned pedestal-mounted Mistral MANPADS.

Still, the Egyptians opted not to take a French weapons fit (which wouldn't have been hugely expensive)

Instead, they use 2 Avengers on deck, which gives 2x4 Stinger and a 12.7mm machinegun per vehicle lashed down. Without spending ANY extra money. The only thing needed to really optimize this interim fit would be a connection to the ships' CMS.

What the Russians offer now, for 'self defence', bares no relation to the Russian armament originally intended for these ships. Its just a sales opportunity.

You said it again, that is exactly what I wrote! They were delivered empty, we can't talk about what the Russian may or may not deliver...the fact of having a humvee chained to the deck speaks volume...case closed Pal!
In the US too, at a certain time , they used manpads in the aircraft carrier...when they were a little bit leary about its close up defense..the phalanx replaced that.
View attachment 426873

First of all, that's NOT an aircraft carrier but and LHA/LHD.
Second, it is common practice for marines that are embarked on board these ships to exercise their anti-air units on deck. This is irrespective of the ships' own armament.
Third, USN LHA/LHDs have always carried their own self defence armamement.

Tarawa class [commissioned 1976-1980, all decommissioned now]

• As of 1998:
  • Mark 49 RAM missile system
  • 2 × Vulcan Phalanx
  • 6 × 25 mm automatic cannons
  • 8 × 12.7 mm machine guns
• Previous weapons:
  • 2 × 8 cell MK- 25 NATO Sea Sparrow BPDMS launchers (replaced by Phalanx units)
  • 3 × 5-inch (127 mm) Mk 45 lightweight guns (deleted 1997–1998)

Wasp class [commissioned 1989-2009, all in service]

• Two RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile launchers
• Two RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile launchers
• Three 20 mm Phalanx CIWS systems (LHD 5–8 with two)
• Four 25 mm Mk 38 chain guns (LHD 5–8 with three)
• Four .50 BMG machine guns

America class [commissioned 2014-present, all remain in service)

• Two Rolling Airframe Missile launchers
• two Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile launchers
• two Phalanx CIWS
• seven dual .50 caliber machine guns

U.S. Marines fire a Stinger shoulder launched anti-aircraft missile during familiarization training aboard the USS Kearsarge October 2, 2013 in Washington, DC.

http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-us...-launched-anti-aircraft-missile-61159612.html

U.S. Marines fire a Stinger shoulder launched anti-aircraft missile during familiarization training aboard the USS Kearsarge October 2, 2013 in Washington, DC.

http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-us...-launched-anti-aircraft-missile-61159618.html

USS Kearsarge is a WASP class LHD. commissioned 16 October 1993.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Kearsarge_(LHD-3)

Marines are required to complete annual rifle training and pistol training. Through weapons familiarization, Marines gain additional weapons training, used to build confidence in the safe and proper use of multiple weapon systems.
http://www.quantico.marines.mil/New...y/Article/715342/any-weapon-anytime-anyplace/

 

[Gomig-21]

You are the only one who believes that...Even Penguin doesn't..he is just speculating..read his comment carefully and he said clearly in several instances that they will be..equipped..which is mean now they are just two empty barrels floating somewhere in Egypt...

looool. Not with the Avengers on board, sweet cheeks. The only thing they're missing right now are some form of a rapid-firing Phalanx/gatling gun of some type and that'll come with the new Russian system. And in the meantime, that can be easily remedied by adding a manned, 50 cal MG on deck to repel any small boats approaching unnecessarily.

Face it, Ceylal, mounting the Avengers was a BRILLIANT EGYPTIAN idea I know you can't handle it and it really gnaws at your craw to no end, but try to come to terms with it and it will reduce your anxiety.

by the time the Russian furnish the equipments ( and if they do) that two mistrals will be close to moathballing...son now you have nothing to brag about...

"Mothballed?" lol. The armaments will most likely be in place within a year, maybe a bit longer and that's fine since the Avengers are perfect for now AND like Penguin said, they didn't cost Egypt one single additional cent to do that since they took them out of current inventory. And the Ka-52K's should be on deck within 3-4 years as they've just recently agreed on the contract and the Russians pumped out production of the Alligators for Egypt in record time that it's obvious they'll do the same for the Katrans. So before you know it, the Egyptian Navy will be operating a pair of fully armed and equipped LHDs that will be in service for the next 30+ years. Will you be able to handle that aggravating concept?

USS Kearsarge is a WASP class LHD. commissioned 16 October 1993.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Kearsarge_(LHD-3)

I've been on the WASP. VERY impressive ship and there was an LCC in dock when I was on it. Some pics.