Algeria’s Russian-built Koni-class (Project 1159) small frigate Rais Kellik is pictured calling at Antwerp on 8 May 1995 while en route to St. Petersburg to escort home the first of two Kilo-class (Project 877EKM) diesel-electric submarines undergoing refit. On the return voyage, the Rais Kellik again visited Antwerp, but the submarine remained offshore. The Kilo, originally delivered in September 1987, began her first overhaul in 1993, followed shortly thereafter by a sister, which remains in Russia. The Kilos replaced a pair of Romeo-class (Project 633) diesel boats dating to the early 1960s. Algeria has three Koni-class frigates, delivered between 1980 and 1984; the 1,596-ton full load Rais Kellik, commissioned on 24 March 1982, appeared to be m excellent condition during her two visits to Belgium.
The Royal Netherlands Navy’s 17,040-ton replenishment oiler Amsterdam began sea trials early in April, preparatory to her expected commissioning on 7 September. She replaces the 1964-vintage Poolster, which was sold to Pakistan in July 1994; a second ship of the same design is planned to replace the Dutch fleet’s other oiler, the Zuiderkruis, in 2002. Spain has built a sister to the Amsterdam, the Patino, which completed this June. Powered by two 13,120 brake horsepower diesels, the 574-foot Amsterdam will carry 10,300 tons of cargo, including 6,700 tons of fuel and 1,660 tons of aviation fuel. The crew of 160 is to include more than 30 women.
Seen here fitting out at Singapore Shipbuilding & Engineering’s Jurong yard after her launch on 18 February 1995 is the 500-ton, 180-foot patrol combatant Fearless, the first of a dozen sisters on order. The first six will be equipped for antisubmarine duties with Thomson-Sintra TSM-2362 hull-mounted sonars and two triple torpedo tube sets for Italian A-244S antisubmarine torpedoes, while the remainder will be configured for antisurface warfare with four or six Israeli Gabriel-II missiles. Both versions will have a French Sadral point-defense system aft with Mistral infrared-homing surface-to-air missiles and also will mount an OTO Breda 76-mm Super Rapid dualpurpose gun forward and four machine guns. Unusual for ships of their size and mission, they will have twin, diesel-driven waterjet drives. All 12 are scheduled to be completed by the end of 1997.