On 29 November 2004, France's third Le Triomphant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, Le Vigilant, was commissioned into service. She is to replace Le Redoutable-class SSBN L'Indomptable, which has served since 1977 and is expected to retire this year. In line with the U.S. Navy custom of separate Blue and Gold crews, the French nuclear deterrent submarine force also uses two alternating crews, dubbed Red and Blue.
Displacing 12,640 tons surfaced and 14,335 tons submerged, Le Vigilant can be armed with up to 16 current-generation French M 45 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), along with SM 39 Exocet antiship missiles and F 17 torpedoes for self-defense.
Sisters Le Triomphant and Le Téméraire entered service in 1997 and 1999, respectively, and the fourth and final unit of the class, Le Terrible, is expected to enter service in 2010. Le Terrible will be the first French submarine armed with the new M 51 SLBMs, which are intended to supplement the existing M 45. In December, the M 51's prime contractor, EADS Space Transportation, was awarded a 3 billion Euro order for production of the M 51. The M 51, with its increased range, payload and accuracy, is expected to enter service in 2010.
In January 2005, NATO's standing naval forces received new names. Standing Naval Force Atlantic became Standing NATO Response Force Maritime Group 1 (SNMG-1), and Standing Naval Force Mediterranean is now Standing NATO Response Force Maritime Group 2 (SNMG-2). Both these units usually contain a mix of six to ten frigates and destroyers and an auxiliary supply ship.
NATO Mine Countermeasures Force North and Mine Countermeasures Force South have been renamed Standing NATO Response Force Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG-1) and Standing NATO Response Force Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG-2), respectively. These forces generally contain seven mine countermeasures vessels and a single command ship.
SNMG-1 and SNMCMG-1 will serve in NATO Response Force (NFR) rotations that have odd numbers, and SNMB-2 and SNMCMG-2 will serve with even numbered NRF rotational deployments. This change allows compatibility with NATO's new rapid "Response Force" consisting of allied land, sea, and air forces ready to deploy within five days and conduct sustained operations for one month. When not deployed as part of an NRF, these forces will continue their previous patrol, diplomatic, and training duties.
The Pakistani Navy remains active in the international war on terror. Pictured right, operating in the Gulf of Oman on 21 November 2004 is the warship Babur, an ex-British Amazon-class (Type 21) destroyer, in service with Pakistan since 1993.
The Babur recently operated with the U.S. Arleigh Burke (DDG-51)-class destroyer The Sullivans (DDG-68) and the French La Fayette-class frigate Surcouf assisting with the Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan under Commander, Task Force (CTF) 150, in the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility.
While conducting maritime intercept operations, Pakistani naval forces have proved valuable assets to the coalition, bringing with them a high degree of regional understanding and local expertise.
The Babur originally served the British Royal Navy as HMS Amazon, namesake of the Type 21-class destroyers. Built by Vosper Thornycroft in the U.K., the Babur now displaces some 3,710 tons (full load). Six of the class entered service with Pakistan during the 1990s and are expected to remain active through 2010, though they have been criticized for fragility and vulnerability and for being overloaded and top heavy. Their hulls, found to have cracking problems during the 1982 Falklands War, have been strengthened.
Combat Fleets
By Eric Wertheim, Editor, Combat Fleets of the World