17 Nov 16. Jamaica trades in three patrol vessels, buys two more. The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) contracted Damen Shipyards Group to build two new Stan Patrol 4207 vessels to replace the core of the JDF Coast Guard’s fleet, the yard announced on 16 November. Damen said the new vessels will replace the JDF Coast Guard’s three Damen County-class offshore patrol vessels: HMJS Cornwall, HMJS Middlesex, and HMJS Surrey, which are all Damen Stan Patrol 4207 patrol craft acquired between 2005 and 2007.
According to Damen, delivery is expected before year’s end because both vessels were already in stock, so the yard is now “completing minor modifications before the outfitting process is concluded”. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
14 Nov 16. BAE Systems announces teaming for Canadian naval opportunities. BAE Systems announced on 11 November that it had launched a joint venture with Canada’s Irving Shipbuilding to target in-service support (ISS) opportunities for a number of Canadian naval vessels that are to be built in the coming years.
The new venture, called Canadian Naval Support Limited, is targeting ISS work on Canada’s Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) and Joint Support Ship (JSS) under the Canadian AOPS and JSS ISS (AJISS) programme.
The Canadian government launched the AJISS programme in July through a request for proposals (RfP). Under the AJISS programme, the Canadian government is looking to procure ISS for both ship types at the same time under a single contractor, with the programme covering a range of work. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
15 Nov 16. Bell Helicopter and IAR – Ghimbav Brasov sign MoU on AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter. US-based Bell Helicopter has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Romanian aerospace company IAR – Ghimbav Brasov Group to discuss potential collaboration on AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter.
IAR – Ghimbav Brasov, which specialises in aeronautical structures and electrical work, is well positioned to provide support for the AH-1Z ‘Viper’ attack helicopter.
IAR – Ghimbav Brasov general director Ion Dumitrescu said: “Bell Helicopter is a strong global partner and we are pleased to have this opportunity. “We look forward to exploring different avenues of cooperation on one of the most capable platforms in the world.”
The advanced anti-tank attack helicopter in production, AH-1Z Viper has been designed in partnership with the US Marine Corps and carries a range of precision weapons and sensors available.
With a combat radius greater than 240km when carrying 16 Hellfire missiles, 2 AIM-9’s, and 650 20mm rounds, the Viper offers capability compared to other available attack platforms with lower acquisition, maintenance and life-cycle costs.
Bell Helicopter Military Business executive vice-president Lisa Atherton said: “We are excited about potential collaboration with a company as well regarded as IAR – Ghimbav Brasov.
“The potential for the AH-1Z Viper in Romania is exciting, and the AH-1Z should be a very strong candidate in addressing the Romanian government’s need for an advanced, reliable platform for security and defence.”
(Source: airforce-technology.com)
16 Nov 16. The Indian navy plans to acquire seven new-generation guided missile corvettes at a cost of $2bn to replace its Russian-built 1241-RE missile boats, allowing only domestic companies to bid under the government’s “Make in India” rules. While the ships themselves must be constructed at an Indian shipyard, some major systems of the boats, particularly the weaponry, will be imported, an Indian Navy official said.
“I suppose most of the leading European and Russian shipyards will be in the fray,” says Anil Jai Singh, retired Indian navy commodore and defense analyst.
“The imports could be the Short Range Surface to Air Missile SRSAM, surveillance radars, torpedoes and engines. The rest can be Indian — that is, the gun, surface-to-surface missile systems, rockets, sonars, most of the navigation communications and electron