Pakistan Navy has 2 new Swiftship corvettes on order

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

SWIFTSHIPS STRENGTHENING ITS GLOBAL PRESENCE
Mönch US Correspondent Marty Kauchak completed a wide-ranging interview with Swiftships CEO Shehraze Shah on 11 October. The interview is published below in its entirety.

Change and growth are constants in Morgan City, Louisana (USA)-based Swiftships’ portfolio.

The company’s crafts are in naval orders of battle in the US and other countries. Mr. Shah pointed out the firm has provided vessels to the US Navy, Army, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard and other Pentagon agencies including the Corps of Engineers, as well as to over 50 countries. “Current programmes are focused on stabilising the Middle East with support being provided to Egypt and Iraq,” the industry executive added.

Indeed, when Mr. Shah spoke with MONS, his business development team was completing its second of two recent visits to unspecified current and prospective customer nations in the Middle East and North Africa. And while Swiftships sells craft to non-US nations through Foreign Military Sales (FMS), it also completes transactions through direct commercial sales, as in the case of Egypt.

Mr. Shah reported a healthy backorder volume at the main Morgan City yard, with production underway on projects, including up to four 35m [115ft] FPVs (fast patrol vessels) for Bahrain, and two 75m corvettes for the Pakistan Navy. “Further, we're under LOR [letters of request] for additional PBs (patrol boats), FPVs, and CPCs (coastal patrol craft) from several navies around the globe," he said.

Of greater significance the company’s portfolio of programmes continues to evolve beyond US-based ship building. Under co-production or Build Operate Transfer (BOT) programmes, eleven 28m CPCs are in build for the Egyptian Navy, being constructed in Egypt. Swiftships’ partner shipbuilding entities in that nation include ESRBC (Egyptian Ship Repair and Building Company) and Alexandria Naval Shipyard. “Swiftships is very active in the co-production and ship repair sectors, and our involvement is growing every day as multiple countries are requesting similar programmme offerings,” Mr. Shah noted. “We currently provide co-production support in Egypt for the Egyptian Navy as well as ship repair, overall fleet maintenance, and readiness for the Iraqi Naval Fleet in Um Qasr, Iraq. The total number of vessels is over 40, and they range from 7-85 metres.”

The repair and maintenance programme established for the Iraqi Navy is extensive, mirroring what the US and other navies refer to as life cycle support. The Iraqi contract is one effort to build a national shipbuilding maintenance, repair and overhaul effort. “We not only support them on a day-to-day operation, but also manage their entire training so we can turn out more maintainers and others, who can maintain these vessels after we leave,” the CEO added.

Co-production, as mentioned earlier, is a topic of increasing significance in the defence market space. One insight on this trend can be gleaned though Swiftships’ BOT programme, which Shah explained in greater detail, “is growing around the region following the company’s success on its US Navy-led co-production effort, for which Swiftships delivered four 28m CPC in 2016 to the Egyptian Navy (EN). As a result of this programme’s success, Swiftships was awarded another contract in 2016 to offer eleven 28m CPC kits (complete parts), paid for by the United States Government, to Egypt. The EN pays Swiftships to manage the overall programme activity while shipbuilding is performed by local shipyard(s) in order to allow e-commerce and national capability to increase.”

Currently, Swiftships will deliver the first two fully operational 28m CPCs by the end of this year. The company plans on launching four CPCs per year starting January 2018.

The Morgan City-based company has also determined one major, common intersecting “sweet spot” in customer vessel requirements and demand for clients overseas – are craft in the range of 25-45m in length. “The clients requesting such vessels are mostly Middle East and African countries. In addition, more near-coastal, economic, and zone-patrolling requests are coming from islands within the Caribbean for ships ranging from 12m to 25m,” Mr. Shah said.

There are several forcing functions shaping these requirements. In one instance, many customer nations in the Middle East and elsewhere are oil dependent, approving defence budgets to match the current, stable oil price (about U $50/barrel), well below the $100/barrel mark of recent, headier years, and loftier, associated military spending levels. For its part, Swiftships has taken proven ship designs in its adjacent commercial oil and offshore sector, and converted them for military use. “Nations such as Egypt or Kuwait want a proven hull," Mr. Shah emphasised. “It has really helped us to be in the commercial space, which has allowed us to stretch these boats to 65 or 70m, especially in the aluminium class, when necessary.” Beyond price, is the reality that most current customers, with the exception of Egypt and Pakistan, do not have blue water navies, and use smaller craft to complete patrol and other missions offshore – up to 200nm [370 km]. “Getting a new 65m vessel for many nations is absurd,” he observed.

Some of Swiftships’ tier 1, original equipment manufacturer suppliers from around the globe for shipboard systems include: engines and generators – Caterpillar; gears – ZF; bridge system - OSI Marine Systems; navigation/communications/radar - JRC & Harris; propulsors - Michigan Wheel; steering system - Bier Radio; tactical systems - Raytheon & Northrop Grumman; combat systems - Lockheed & Raytheon; and radar - Thales.

Mr. Shah added: “I didn’t mention the weapons companies. There are so many of them and BAE Systems is one of them. BAE Systems gets the first access to everything because it is a weapon of choice for the US Navy and it is a programme of record.”

Sales of Swiftships’ 11m unmanned Anaconda Special Operation Craft Riverine (SOC-R) craft are gaining traction. The company just delivered its first fully operational SOC-R to the Pakistan Navy (PN) for use by its marines. “The vessel will upgrade their capability for fighting insurgents and performing drug interdiction-related tasks for highly dense and shallow areas,” Mr. Shah said. Further, 26 more craft will be provided in the next six months for customers in Middle East and North Africa, and South East Asia. “They get an American hull but other technologies in it, in terms of Rolls Royce water jets and a Yanmar high powered diesel engine. We have built many of these for SOCOM [US Special Operations Command] so it’s a proven platform,” he concluded.

http://www.monch.com/mpg/news/15-maritime/2206-swiftships-strengthening-its-global-presence.html

75 Meter Swift Corvette

Swiftships’ 75m Swift Corvette is an all welded aluminum or steel vessel built in accordance to A.B.S regulations. This proven hull and platform based control package can provide the intelligence and reconnaissance to out-class the weapons and/or strategy of threats in many domains of maritime warfare. It is a highly versatile ship, designed to operate in all environments and meet 21st century challenges of conventional as well as asymmetric warfare. It has anti-air and anti-surface missiles, medium and small caliber accurate guns with high rate of fire and has the capability of carrying a multirole helicopter and/or UAV. High speed launching wells can launch multiple fast RHIB boats for a variety of operations e.g. Force Protection, VBSS & SOF operations, patrol/security of on/off shore facilities. The Combat Management System can be configured for a variety of missions. Operational capability up to Sea State 6. Specifications can be modified in accordance to the operator’s preferences and needs.

http://swiftships.com/vessels/75-meter-swift-corvette/

 

[Zarvan]

Again USA for GOD sake How many more times we want USA to humiliate us to learn that we can't trust USA and we have to get weapons from some where else KHUDA KA WASTA HAy

 

[Arsalan]

What the hell is wrong with PN and its policy makers. Two ships here, one ship there, rather than becoming a proficient naval force we are spending MILLIONS to transfer Navy into a Museum. All these different types (Chinese, Dutch, Turkish and now this America) ships makes no sense. One or MAX two types could have been bought in number to fill in all these roles enabling us to secure better deals financially, reduce infrastructure cost and avoid the maintenance and up gradation nightmare going forward.

 

[Zarvan]

What the hell is wrong with PN and its policy makers. Two ships here, one ship there, rather than becoming a proficient naval force we are spending MILLIONS to transfer Navy into a Museum. All these different types (Chinese, Dutch, Turkish and now this America) ships makes no sense. One or MAX two types could have been bought in number to fill in all these roles enabling us to secure better deals financially, reduce infrastructure cost and avoid the maintenance and up gradation nightmare going forward.

Why can't they get it we need Frigates with VLS to fire Cruise Missiles for GOD sake best defense is to have offensive capability to strike any Indian city and installation through our ships and to do that effectively and ruthlessly we need Ship to Land Strike Capability for that we need VLS

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

What the hell is wrong with PN and its policy makers. Two ships here, one ship there, rather than becoming a proficient naval force we are spending MILLIONS to transfer Navy into a Museum. All these different types (Chinese, Dutch, Turkish and now this America) ships makes no sense. One or MAX two types could have been bought in number to fill in all these roles enabling us to secure better deals financially, reduce infrastructure cost and avoid the maintenance and up gradation nightmare going forward.

For OPVs specifically it would have made more sense to add more of the Damen ships from the Netherlands. But as this is coming from the U.S., I suspect subsidies or aid is in motion.

Why can't they get it we need Frigates with VLS to fire Cruise Missiles for GOD sake best defense is to have offensive capability to strike any Indian city and installation through our ships and to do that effectively and ruthlessly we need Ship to Land Strike Capability for that we need VLS

The PN is building a three-tier system:

1. PMSA MPVs
2. PN OPVs (i.e. Damen OPV and Swiftships OPV)
3. ASW-capable frigate and corvette fleet (i.e. F-22P, MILGEM Ada, new Chinese frigate)

All that VLS, LACM, etc stuff is in area (3). The areas (1) and (2), while growing in number, cost a fraction of what it'll take to build (3), but they're necessary to take on maritime policing. You wouldn't want to send in a MILGEM Ada with its composite super structure into a scenario where it can get hit by random RPGs and ATGMs... That's where these MPVs and OPVs come in, especially the OPVs as they can be heavily armed too.

 

[Maarkhoor]

For OPVs specifically it would have made more sense to add more of the Damen ships from the Netherlands. But as this is coming from the U.S., I suspect subsidies or aid is in motion.


The PN is building a three-tier system:

1. PMSA MPVs
2. PN OPVs (i.e. Damen OPV and Swiftships OPV)
3. ASW-capable frigate and corvette fleet (i.e. F-22P, MILGEM Ada, new Chinese frigate)

All that VLS, LACM, etc stuff is in area (3). The areas (1) and (2), while growing in number, cost a fraction of what it'll take to build (3), but they're necessary to take on maritime policing. You wouldn't want to send in a MILGEM Ada with its composite super structure into a scenario where it can get hit by random RPGs and ATGMs...

They are stealthy? design looks like they are.

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

They are stealthy? design looks like they are.

Design wise it has low-RCS principles, but it won't be as small on radar as a modern frigate or corvette like the MILGEM Ada. Those latter ships have composite super structures and more work in RCS reduction, whereas these OPVs are built from all steel or all aluminium hulls. But OPVs are much cheaper to acquire.

 

[Maarkhoor]

Design wise it has low-RCS principles, but it won't be as small on radar as a modern frigate or corvette like the MILGEM Ada. Those latter ships have composite super structures and more work in RCS reduction, whereas these OPVs are built from all steel or all aluminium hulls. But OPVs are much cheaper to acquire.

What type of weapon they are carrying?
One more thing we are getting MILGEM with VLS or without VLS?

 

[Army research]

For OPVs specifically it would have made more sense to add more of the Damen ships from the Netherlands. But as this is coming from the U.S., I suspect subsidies or aid is in motion.


The PN is building a three-tier system:

1. PMSA MPVs
2. PN OPVs (i.e. Damen OPV and Swiftships OPV)
3. ASW-capable frigate and corvette fleet (i.e. F-22P, MILGEM Ada, new Chinese frigate)

All that VLS, LACM, etc stuff is in area (3). The areas (1) and (2), while growing in number, cost a fraction of what it'll take to build (3), but they're necessary to take on maritime policing. You wouldn't want to send in a MILGEM Ada with its composite super structure into a scenario where it can get hit by random RPGs and ATGMs... That's where these MPVs and OPVs come in, especially the OPVs as they can be heavily armed too.

They OPV could be light armed patrol ships, maybe these could be say for direct support of Pakistan marines should their role be increased ? It could easily insert a team of marines for a raid , support them with heavy and medium caliber fire , provide a short anti air umbrella and still have some weapons to fire missiles at enemy vessels , while also housing an helicopter to support the marines may be ?. What do you think sir, could this vessel fill that role and help the troops along Sir creek.
Also second question. Is it possible that the PN is getting smaller ships to fit them with ashm missiles and then retro fit the larger f22p with VLS and Cruise missiles ?. Use the big ships radar to guide small ships and use the big ships for long range and aircover while using the smaller faster ships for harassing enemy fleets while submarines are the mainstay attack platform ?
I'm just speculating but I'd like to hear what you think of my ideas ( I'm not exactly a fan of naval strategies but this idea had been in my head for a while )

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

What type of weapon they are carrying?
One more thing we are getting MILGEM with VLS or without VLS?

As per PM Abbasi, the MILGEMs are under negotiation. We don't know exact configurations, but I am guessing they'll likely be ASW-oriented Ada (i.e. without VLS). But it's possible to have VLS in them provided they stretch the hull (basically do what they did for the LF-2400 design, which seems to be based on the MILGEM Ada).

As for these Swiftship OPVs, we don't know what weapons they'll carry, but by default I doubt we'll see them carry much besides guns. In wartime they might arm them with Harpoon AShM, but for peace time ops, their role will be to take on policing and patrol work.

 

[Arsalan]

Why can't they get it we need Frigates with VLS to fire Cruise Missiles for GOD sake best defense is to have offensive capability to strike any Indian city and installation through our ships and to do that effectively and ruthlessly we need Ship to Land Strike Capability for that we need VLS

What we need is heavier frigates that have good air-defense capabilities. Even the land attack ones are not need of the hour and can come later. The top priority (in frigates) is AAW capable frigates.

As for these corvettes, I AM NOT SAYING THAT THESE ARE NOT REQUIRED. We do need smaller vessels in numbers to serve as OPVs and to fill in number for PMSA and Navy. These are required. My objection is why buy two here and one there. Ideally, we should have opted for two types. A slightly heavier (closer to frigate) with good AShW capability as well as point defense SAM to server as mainstay OPVs and then some lighter ones more oriented for peace time coastal patrol duties with anti-piracy and limited AShW capability. That is it. Now we are buying all different types of ships and two of each. MPV and OPVs serve in a different role and we sure need them. Just please stop buying a couple of each available option.

For OPVs specifically it would have made more sense to add more of the Damen ships from the Netherlands. But as this is coming from the U.S., I suspect subsidies or aid is in motion.


The PN is building a three-tier system:

1. PMSA MPVs
2. PN OPVs (i.e. Damen OPV and Swiftships OPV)
3. ASW-capable frigate and corvette fleet (i.e. F-22P, MILGEM Ada, new Chinese frigate)

All that VLS, LACM, etc stuff is in area (3). The areas (1) and (2), while growing in number, cost a fraction of what it'll take to build (3), but they're necessary to take on maritime policing. You wouldn't want to send in a MILGEM Ada with its composite super structure into a scenario where it can get hit by random RPGs and ATGMs... That's where these MPVs and OPVs come in, especially the OPVs as they can be heavily armed too.

EXACTLY!
We do not need a mix vegetable plate!

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

They OPV could be light armed patrol ships, maybe these could be say for direct support of Pakistan marines should their role be increased ? It could easily insert a team of marines for a raid , support them with heavy and medium caliber fire , provide a short anti air umbrella and still have some weapons to fire missiles at enemy vessels , while also housing an helicopter to support the marines may be ?. What do you think sir, could this vessel fill that role and help the troops along Sir creek.
Also second question. Is it possible that the PN is getting smaller ships to fit them with ashm missiles and then retro fit the larger f22p with VLS and Cruise missiles ?. Use the big ships radar to guide small ships and use the big ships for long range and aircover while using the smaller faster ships for harassing enemy fleets while submarines are the mainstay attack platform ?
I'm just speculating but I'd like to hear what you think of my ideas ( I'm not exactly a fan of naval strategies but this idea had been in my head for a while )

Not Marines. I think the Damen OPVs and Swift Corvettes will operate with the SSG-N for SOF, VBSS, CSAR and COIN/CT operations when necessary. In wartime, they can theoretically arm these ships with AShM, but that'll serve more of an A2/AD role (by denying enemy ships access to littoral waters).

 

[Zarvan]

What we need is heavier frigates that have good air-defense capabilities. Even the land attack ones are not need of the hour and can come later. The top priority (in frigates) is AAW capable frigates.

As for these corvettes, I AM NOT SAYING THAT THESE ARE NOT REQUIRED. We do need smaller vessels in numbers to serve as OPVs and to fill in number for PMSA and Navy. These are required. My objection is why buy two here and one there. Ideally, we should have opted for two types. A slightly heavier (closer to frigate) with good AShW capability as well as point defense SAM to server as mainstay OPVs and then some lighter ones more oriented for peace time coastal patrol duties with anti-piracy and limited AShW capability. That is it. Now we are buying all different types of ships and two of each. MPV and OPVs serve in a different role and we sure need them. Just please stop buying a couple of each available option.


EXACTLY!
We do not need a mix vegetable plate!

Sir until Indians know we have full capability of unleashing hell on them from sea and that can be only done through Cruise Missiles. Because in case of war it would be their Ships like Talwar and Kolkata Class which they would bring to attack Karachi and Gawader and launch massive Brahmos Strikes on these targets and other targets. And those ships will be Game Changer and we are not getting those types of ships. When they would fire several Brahmos I am pretty sure even AAW Frigates won't be able to stop even half of Brahmos

 

[Khafee]

Sir until Indians know we have full capability of unleashing hell on them from sea and that can be only done through Cruise Missiles. Because in case of war it would be their Ships like Talwar and Kolkata Class which they would bring to attack Karachi and Gawader and launch massive Brahmos Strikes on these targets and other targets. And those ships will be Game Changer and we are not getting those types of ships. When they would fire several Brahmos I am pretty sure even AAW Frigates won't be able to stop even half of Brahmos

Chal bhai khush hoja -

A ship launched, anti-ship, conventional warhead version of Babur (as well as another one with a shorter range) has been tested, "couple of times."

 

[hussain0216]

Whyyyyyyyy are we buying stuff from the U.S.

This defies logic

This is no comment on the quality of U.S weapons but they become near worthless when you factor in the sheer unreliability of the USA

Stupid doesn't cover this