FuturePAF
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2014
- Messages
- 10,546
- Reaction score
- 24
- Country
- Location
Definitely, because The MSA needs to be robust enough to control the EEZ, and with all the traffic out of the strait of Hormuz on to Asia, the risk is very high enemy traffic can hide in the littorals or near the traffic passing by. The Milgem hills are quiet enough for ASW, so they should be quiet enough but also large enough for this role.Just got another thought...
What if we take the Babur-class (MILGEM PN) and design a sub-variant for OPV, MCMV, etc roles?
Call it the 'Multi-Mission Patrol Vessel' (MMPV).
The 'standard' fit could include ESM with ELINT and SIGINT, EO/IR, a Thales SMART-SMk2-type radar, etc. But we could also leave two 'modular mission bays' available for different roles, such as CSAR, HADR, and MCMV. For the MCMV role, the MMPV could be the 'mothership' to manage AUVs, USVs, and ROVs.
Finally, some structural commonality with the MILGEM PN could allow the PN to convert some MMPVs into wartime corvettes with AShMs, ASW torpedoes, and even SAMs (via externally-mounted VLS).
We probably also need platforms akin to oil drilling platform within the EEZ to house sensors or be a refuge for sailors far out at sea in case of a storm. Our fish men need the full support of the government to help grow the fishing industry. These platforms can also be where smaller ships sell their fish and the fish can be transferred to large ships to go back to shore or be sold directly to other countries with ships passing by.