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LOCATIONS
MARITIME
11 Aug 16. Indonesia recommissions replenishment tanker after completion works. The Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut, or TNI-AL) has held another commissioning ceremony for KRI Tarakan (905), a 122m replenishment tanker built by local shipbuilder PT Dok Kodja Bahari (PT DKB). The ceremony, which was attended by TNI-AL Chief Admiral Ade Supandi, was held on 8 August at PT DKB’s premises at Cilincing in North Jakarta, the company confirmed with IHS Jane’s on 11 August.
Tarakan was first inducted into the TNI-AL in September 2014 in a ceremony presided over by then Indonesian defence minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro.
However, according to PT DKB, the ship was returned for “completion works” shortly after it was commissioned. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
11 Aug 16. UK loses operational maintenance and repair capability as Diligence is retired early. Key Points:
• Out-of-service date for RFA Diligence is brought forward to 2016 (from 2020)
• Options for the delivery of future operational maintenance and repair capability remain under consideration
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) forward support vessel RFA Diligence is being retired from service four years ahead of its planned out of service date (OSD), leaving the UK Royal Navy (RN) without a deployable operational maintenance and repair (OMAR) platform.
The decision to bring forward the ship’s OSD to late 2016 was made in June. However, this previously unannounced cut, and the consequent OMAR capability gap, was only revealed by the publication of Ministry of Defence (MoD) disposal documents for the ship in early August.
(Source: IHS Jane’s)
09 Aug 16. Chinese media touts Liaoning’s ‘growing combat capability.’ China’s state television revealed footage on 1 August of the country’s only operational carrier, Liaoning (CV-16), carrying eight Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-15 fighters as well as a Z-18 and a Z-9 helicopter on its deck. This represents the largest number of aircraft so far seen on the carrier, which first conducted flight operations in November 2012. The footage prompted Chinese media comments that Liaoning was exhibiting “growing combat capability”.
During a 4 August TV programme Rear Admiral Yin Zhou said that, “Once all eight aircraft fly out in formation, they will have a strong combat capability”. He further noted that Liaoning could carry up to 20 aircraft.
While China has developed the Changhe Z-18J airborne early warning (AEW) and Z-18F anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters, these have not been seen together with the J-15 on Liaoning. They would likely form a full airwing for the carrier. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
09 Aug 16. Construction begins on US Navy’s second ESB USNS Hershel Woody Williams. Construction has officially started on the US Navy’s second expeditionary sea base (ESB), the future USNS Hershel Woody Williams, with a keel laying ceremony held at General Dynamics Nassco’s San Diego shipyard. The vessel has been named in honour of World War II veteran, Medal of Honor receiver and ex-marine Hershel Woodrow Woody Williams.
General Dynamics Nassco vice-president and general manager Kevin Graney said: “The story of Hershel Woody Williams is remarkable.
“It is a story of valiant devotion, extraordinary courage and American heroism.
“We have the distinct honour of constructing a ship that will reflect the strength and fearlessness of its namesake and will provide global, advanced capabilities for future generations of marines and sailors to come.”
USNS Hershel Woody Williams is the fourth ship being constructed by GD Nassco. Construction of the vessel is slated to be completed in ea