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Combat Fleets

By Eric Wertheim
October 2011
Proceedings
Vol. 137/10/1,304
Article
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Singapore received the first of its two newly rebuilt Västergötland-class (Type A-17) submarines from Sweden on 17 August. The Archer and sister Swordsman were purchased in 2005 and underwent an extensive upgrade and modernization effort, including the addition of an advanced air-independent propulsion system that permits extended, quiet underwater operations. Other modifications to the class include the installation of an enhanced climate-control system so the submarines, initially built in the 1980s for service off the frigid Swedish coast, will be able to operate effectively in the tropical climates of Singaporean waters. As built, the class originally consisted of four submarines, the Västergötland, Hälsingland, Södermanland, and Östergötland. The latter two were modernized for Swedish service, while the Västergötland and Hälsingland were placed in reserve prior to their 2005 purchase by Singapore. Each boat in the class displaces 1,500 tons when submerged and is fitted with nine bow torpedo tubes (six 533-mm and three smaller 400-mm). This provides a maximum weapons loadout of 12 larger 533-mm torpedoes and six smaller 400-mm weapons.


Last summer the Brazilian Air Force accepted its first upgraded P-3 Orion maritime-patrol aircraft back into service. Now designated as a P-3AM Orion, it is one of nine P-3s being completely rebuilt and modernized under a 2005 contract with Airbus Military, part of the EADS corporation. Twelve aging and surplus P-3 variants initially were purchased from the U.S. Navy several years ago, although three of them will not be upgraded and instead will be used for spare parts. The improvements to the new P-3AM Orion include upgrades to the T56 engine, the weapons-management system, and autopilot, MAD, and ESM gear, as well as a number of other avionics improvements. The ninth and final upgraded aircraft is due for delivery by the end of 2013.


The South African Ministry of Defence confirmed in August that one of its MEKO A-200 SAN Valour-class frigates, the SAS Amatola, had suffered significant engine damage during a sail through rough seas and that one of its diesel engines would need replacement. The damage resulted from the “ingress of water through the exhaust system” caused by a faulty sensor that was either designed or maintained incorrectly. Very few details have been released concerning when or where the actual mishap occurred. The repair job, expected to conclude in March 2012, will involve cutting into the ship’s hull to remove and replace the damaged machinery at a cost of 16 million South African Rand (about $2.26 million). Other frigates of the class reportedly have experienced undisclosed propulsion and machinery issues as well, though the government has remained tight-lipped on the subject. The Amatola and her three sisters, the Isandlwana, Spioenkop, and Mendi, were built in Germany and entered South African service in 2005–06.

Mr. Wertheim, a defense consultant in the Washington, D.C., area, is the author of The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, 15th Edition, currently available from the Naval Institute Press at www.usni.org.
The Commander

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