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sexta-feira, 2 de outubro de 2009

Turkey signs contract for six Type 214 submarines


Turkey signs contract for six Type 214 submarines

[mais detalhada]

On 2nd July 2009, a contract was signed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW), Kiel, a company of ThyssenKrupp Technologies, and MarineForce International LLP (MFI), London, for the delivery of six material packages for the construction of Class 214 submarines to Turkey.

The value of the contract is estimated as 2,5 billion €. There is %80 offset agreement. The submarines will be built in Gölcük Naval Shipyard where 11 submarines of Type 209, were previously built.

The signing of the contract was the end of a long series of bureaucratic procedures that started in 2006. In spring 2006 Undersecretariat for Defence Industries called for companies to summit technical information. In late 2006 the request for proposal was published. In December 2007, 3 companies submitted their offers:

1) DCNS - France
2) HDW - Germany
3) Navantia S.A.-Spain

HDW offered Type 214, Navanita offered the brand new S-80A and DCNS offered Scorpene with AIP. According to technical specifications, Turkish Navy wanted to have a proven and working AIP boat with 8 torpedo tubes.

This eliminated the French and Spanish contenders. Spain is the only country that has ordered S-80A submarines. But the first boat is still being built and not launched yet. S-80A was a risk for Turkish Navy as it was an unproven design and boat. As Papanikolis showed everybody that the first boat of a new design may have problems that are difficult to cure.

DCNS boat, Scorpene has a better export success than S-80A. Scorpene was selected by Chile, Malaysia and India. But none of these boats have an integrated AIP. Both Malaysia and India have option to retrofit AIP, by cutting submarine in half and inserting the AIP module. Thus DCNS was not able to show a Scorpene submarine with a working AIP capability.

In July 2008, the selection of Type-214 was announced. After that the contract negotiations have started. Mk-48 torpedoes have been selected as the main weapon for the Turkish Type 214 submarines.

Usually and naturally, the German company HDW, offers German DM-2 heavy torpedoes as the standard weapon. The technical parameters of the German torpedoes are by default configured in the the fire control software developed by another German company Atlas Elektronik. In Type 209 submarines off Turkey German torpedoes are used as standard weapon. According to media reports HDW demanded a very high sum for the integration of Mk-48 torpedoes in to Type 214. This is typical HDW. When Greece wanted to have Italian Blackshark torpedoes for their Type 214 submarines, the money HDW demanded for the integration was so high that Greece decided to use German torpedoes instead. Therefore, Turkey selected Atlas Elektronik instead of HDW as the main contractor for the integration of Mk-48 torpedoes into the Atlas Elektronik's ISUS command and control software.

This, will a debut for Mk-48 in Turkish service. USNI's Combat Fleets of The World reference book speculated that 10 Mk-48 were delivered to Turkey in 1980's with Tang class submarines. But this was never confirmed by other sources.

The production Type-214's will be the third batch of submarine production in Turkey. The first batch was the production of 3 Type 209/1200 submarines. The second batch was the production of 4 Type 209/1400 submarines also known as Preveze class. The last batch was the production of 4 additional Type209/1400 submarines with different electronics and software. These boats are called Gür class.

In all these previous productions Turkish input was limited. But in the Type-214 production, many Turkish defense companies will supply their own systems.



  • HAVELSAN will take part in creation of the command and control software of the submarines. With GENESİS project this company gained a lot of know-how for surface ships. With the Type-214 project they will also gain know-how of software integration and creation for submarine systems.


  • Koç Savuma Sistemleri will develop an torpedo countermeasure system


  • MİLSOFT will deliver Link11/22 data transfer software


  • TÜBİTAK will supply their underwater telephony system and self-noice and other signature measuring systems


  • STM will gain know-how in submarine construction and system integration.


When Greece decided to procure 4 Type 214 boats with AIP capability back in 1998, Turkish Navy decided to build 4 Gür class boats with conventional diesel-electric propulsion. For some, this was a bad decision as Greece would have modern and more capable submarines and would gain the upper hand.

Ironically, this conservative decision of Turkish Navy turned out the be the right one. 4 Gür class submarines Turkey ordered in 1998 are in active service today, whereas Greek Navy is still waiting for her Type 214 boats. And in the end they will get 3 boats instead of the original four.

The Turkish Type-214 are expected to enter into the service 2015 and will surely replace the first 4 and oldest Atılay class submarines, which will be on average 39 years old.

More on Greek submarine force

Friday, 2 October 2009

More on Greek submarine force

There have been some important and interesting developments regarding the Greek submarine force and the future of it in last few days.

First TKMS (ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems) the owner of HDW, Blohm & Voss, Kockums and Hellenic shipyards announced that the company was cancelling two contracts with Hellenic Navy.

One contract that was cancelled by TKMS was building of 4 Type 214 submarines the other was modernization of 3 Type 209 boats. Both contracts are vital for the Greek Navy.

It is not usual for a company such as TKMS to cancel such contracts. But there is a long story behind it.

So I will try to summarize it:
• 2000: Hellenic Navy ordered 3 Type 214 boats and signed a contract with HDW.
• 2002: A fourth boat was ordered.
• 2002: Hellenic Navy initiated Neptune II Mid-Life Modernization programme. According to this, the first three of the second batch of the Type 209 boats is to be modernized, by cutting them in half and inserting a 6,5m extension to incorporate a fuel-cell based AIP system. Additionally flank array sonar, modern fire control system, electro-optic mast, SATCOM and sub Harpoon firing capability is to be fitted. HDW is the main contractor.
• 2004: First Type 214 ever built was launched as HS Papanikolis in Kiel.
• 2006: Acceptance test of HS Papanikolis conducted. Hellenic Navy refused to accept HS Papanikolis claiming the boat was not meeting the requirements. Poor performance from the AIP system, problems with the ISUS combat system, poor surface seakeeping in high seas, and hydraulic system issues were among the major flaws reported.
• 2007: Second submarine, first to be built in Hellenic Shipyard, HS Pipinos was launched.
• 2008: HDW carried out renewed acceptance tests to show that they have fixed the problems reported two years ago. And German Ministry of Defence (MoD) has certified HS Papanikolis as seaworthy.
• 2008: Problems between Hellenic Navy and HDW about payment issues started to rise to media.
• February 2009: Two days before HS Okeanos, the first boat to undergo the Neptune II MLM is launched Hellenic Navy cancels the programme and express its wish to order two Type 209 submarines with AIP.
• March 2009: The second Type 214 boat, Pipinos , finalized harbour acceptance trials and was declared ready for sea acceptance trials. But these did not start.
• September 2009: TKMS cancelled Type 214 production and Neptune II contracts.

The ongoing dispute between Greece and TKMS does not look as if it is going to end soon. TKMS claims that outstanding payments on both contracts total EUR524 million (USD775.3 million). This number was around USD600 million back in February 2009. They did not agreed to produce the two Type 209 submarines instead of the Neptune II Progremme either.

Actually TKMS does not produce any Type 209 submarines with AIP. TKMS is building two AIP submarines for Portuguese Navy. These submarines are in essence Type 214’s., but called as Type 209’s for political reasons. Thus Hellenic Navy ordered two Type 214 submarines instead of old Type 209’s. But on the other hand Hellenic Navy refuses to accept the first Type 214 into service stating deficiency, which TKMS claims to be rectified. And TKMS delays the acceptance test of the remaining Type 214’s. Thus both sides are creating a vicious circle.

The cancelations of the contracts by TKMS may be seen as an act of breaking the stalemate in the negotiations. It may also an act to built pressure to the coming Greek Government. The general elections are scheduled for 4th October in Greece. If TKMS really cancels the contracts and does not delivers the Type 214’s submarines, that would leave the navy with eight Type 209’s aged between 29 and 38 years old, all but one of them in urgent need of modernization or replacement. This would make the new government look bad.

Turkey ordered 6 Type 214 submarines. If TKMS doesn’t delivers the submarines the Turkey would gain a definitive supremacy in submarine force in the Aegean may be before the next general elections. This also would make the Greek government look bad.

Greece cannot have its submarine force decay while the government and TKMS negotiate over the problems. They have already lost years. Therefore I strongly believe that there will be some kind of a settlement probably in December or in the first months of the 2010.

I also believe that whole Type 214 affair between Greece and TKMS is very closely watched by other shipyards, which may consider, to offer their ships to future projects of Hellenic Navy.

sábado, 5 de setembro de 2009

FORÇA DE SUBMARINOS ARGENTINA COMEMORA 76 ANOS

La Fuerza de Submarinos cumple 76 años

Foto(FNM) El 3 de septiembre de 1933 arribaban a la Base Naval Mar del Plata los primeros sumergibles de la Armada Argentina.

Creación de la Base Naval

La necesidad de dotar a nuestra Armada de un arma decididamente estratégica y proveerla de un apostadero y facilidades operativas, fueron sin dudas, los factores que alentaron al entonces Ministro de Marina, Manuel Domeq García para gestionar y obtener la Ley Nº 11.378 sancionada el 29 de septiembre de 1926, por la que se autorizaba a la compra de dos grupos de tres submarinos y la construcción de la infraestructura necesaria, en las tierras pertenecientes al gobierno, aledañas al Puerto de Mar del Plata. El 5 de Octubre de ese mismo año, se efectiviza la presencia de personal de la Armada en nuestra ciudad.

Esta Ley fue la que dio origen a la Base Naval Mar del Plata y al Comando de la Fuerza de Submarinos.

El 3 de septiembre de 1933 arriban por primera vez a Mar del Plata, lugar que sería su base definitiva y donde tendría asiento la División Submarinos, los tres submarinos adquiridos a Italia.

Foto

Su primer Comandante fue el Capitán de Fragata Don Ramón A. POCH y hasta que fueran concluidas las instalaciones en tierra, las tripulaciones se alojaban en el Guardacostas Gral. Belgrano.-

Gloria y Silencio

Un día, sobre finales de marzo de 1982, fuimos testigos de la zarpada del submarino (S-21) “ARA Santa Fe”, a bordo estaban los hombres de la Agrupación de Buzos Tácticos que comenzarían con la histórica recuperación de nuestras Islas Malvinas. Su participación permitió que se salvaran numerosas vidas de la fuerza principal de desembarco, cuando descubrieron que los puntos pre-seleccionados, estaban perfectamente defendidos, procediendo a cambiarlos por medio de señales, no detectadas por los ingleses la “Operación Rosario” fue todo un éxito. El “Santa Fe”, retornaría luego presuroso a nuestra ciudad, saldría con destino a las Islas Georgias del Sur. Zarparía por última vez, sólo con su tripulación y la bruma matinal como testigos.

Foto

En aquellas gélidas costas, fiel a la tradición Browniana, entraría en desigual combate contra fuerzas navales extremadamente modernas. Totalmente superado en número, su tripulación lo defendió con armas de mano, fue hundido, sucumbió peleando y una nueva generación de argentinos escribía en silencio, como su servicio lo exige, otra pagina de valor y de gloria en nuestra ya rica y extensa historia naval. Honramos así la memoria del suboficial maquinista Félix Artuso, héroe del Comando de la Fuerza de Submarinos, hombre del pueblo, nuestro vecino, quien dio su sangre en la defensa y recuperación de nuestros Archipiélagos Australes, formaba parte de su tripulación.

El submarino (S-32) “ARA San Luis” del “Tipo 209” mucho más moderno, incorporado al Comando en 1974, tuvo también una activa participación en el conflicto Malvinas, recibiendo la medalla “Al Valor en Combate” por haber atacado y burlado en reiteradas oportunidades el bloqueo naval impuesto por la Fuerza de Tareas británica.

Algunos de los actuales integrantes de este orgulloso Comando, siendo por aquel entonces, jóvenes oficiales y suboficiales de nuestra Armada, formaron parte de aquella orgullosa tripulación que tuvo como valiente Comandante al Sr. Capitán de Fragata Don Fernando AZCUETA.-

El Área Naval Atlántica

Mar del Plata tiene una importancia marítima capital, en la que todos los sectores del quehacer marítimo nacional e internacional se dan cita e interactúan constante e intensamente.

Foto

La Armada Argentina, buscando no solo una mayor eficiencia y agilidad operativa, sino también dando una inequívoca señal de su firme voluntad de compromiso con las cuestiones del mar, eligió a la Base Naval Mar del Plata para el asentamiento del Comando del Área Naval Atlántica cuya jurisdicción se extiende desde Punta Indio (Pcia. de B.A.) hasta Comodoro Rivadavia (Pcia. de Chubut). Este redespliegue significó un importante aumento de la presencia de buques que tienen su apostadero en la Base Naval Mar del Plata. Entre ellos se destacan los que constituyen la División Patrullado Marítimo que son los que proveen los medios primarios para un permanente ejercicio del control del mar y la protección del patrimonio de los argentinos en él.

Foto


La Base Naval Mar del Plata ha sido a lo largo de 83 años, cuna del Comando de la Fuerza de Submarinos, que por su alto contenido estratégico sigue siendo un componente del Comando de Operaciones Navales del que depende orgánicamente y mantiene con el Comando del Área una dependencia de carácter funcional. La otra organización de alto valor estratégico que tiene su asiento en esta Base es la Agrupación de Buzos Tácticos (creada en 1952) que junto a la Fuerza de Submarinos y a las Corbetas del Comando de la División Patrullado Marítimo, contribuyen a la otra gran tarea de la Armada que es la proyección del poder marítimo argentino.

La creación del Área Naval Atlántica, con asiento en la Base Naval Mar del Plata, debe ser asumida como una evolución lógica de la Armada que busca permanentemente la mejor forma de optimizar los recursos que le confía la Nación, dentro de un marco de estricto profesionalismo y respeto a la Ley.

Por Oscar Filippi

03/09/09
NUESTRO

domingo, 30 de agosto de 2009

La Norvège débute le démantèlement du croiseur russe Murmansk


crédits : DROITS RESERVES


28/08/2009

En 1994, le croiseur russe Murmansk s'échouait près de Soervaer, dans le nord-ouest de la Norvège. Cette semaine, le démantèlement de l'épave, longue de 210 mètres pour une largeur de 21.6 mètres, a commencé. En vain, la Norvège a tenté de faire prendre en charge l'opération par une société émiratie, propriétaire de la coque. Au moment de l'accident, le navire n'appartenait en effet plus à la marine russe, l'échouement étant intervenu au cours de son remorquage vers un chantier de démolition indien. Mené finalement par les autorités norvégiennes, le démantèlement du Murmansk devrait coûter quelques 30 millions d'euros et s'étaler jusqu'au printemps 2011.
lancé aux chantiers de Severodvinsk en 1955 et mis en service l'année suivante, le Murmansk était l'un des 14 croiseurs du type Sverdlov. Dotés notamment de quatre tourelles triples de 152 mm, soit 12 canons de ce calibre, ces navires étaient directement inspirés des croiseurs légers de la seconde guerre mondiale. Capable d'atteindre 32 noeuds, le Murmansk, armé par un équipage de 1000 hommes, affichait un déplacement de 12.900 tonnes (17.200 tonnes à pleine charge). Outre son artillerie principale, il comptait 12 canons de 100 mm (en 6 tourelles doubles) et 16 affûts doubles de 37 mm.
____________________________________________
Royal Navy : La construction du porte-avions Queen Elizabeth débute

Vue du CVF, dans sa version avec tremplin et sans catapultes
crédits : ROYAL NAVY


28/08/2009

Les premiers éléments du HMS Queen Elizabeth, tête de série du programme des deux futurs porte-avions britanniques, sont arrivés cette semaine au chantier Babcock de Rosyth. C'est là que l'ensemble des blocs, provenant de différents chantiers, sera assemblé. Le début de la construction du Queen Elizabeth intervient au moment où la Grande-Bretagne envisage l'abandon de la version à décollage court et appontage vertical du F-35 (F-35 B). Par souci d'économie, la Royal Navy pourrait finalement adopter la version catapultée du Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), également connue sous la désignation F-35 C. Cette disposition entrainerait la disparition du tremplin, situé à l'avant, ainsi que l'ajout de deux catapultes et de brins d'arrêt. La modification est rendue possible par le fait que le design du Carrier Vessel Future (CVF) a été étudié en commun avec la France, qui souhaitait une version pouvant mettre en oeuvre Rafale et Hawkeye. Toutes les dispositions ont donc été prises, lors des travaux d'ingénierie, pour que l'architecture du porte-avions permette la mise en place de catapultes et brins d'arrêt.
Si ce projet se confirme, la Grande Bretagne retrouverait le club des nations mettant en oeuvre des porte-avions à catapultes (Etats-Unis et France), club qu'elle avait quitté il y a une trentaine d'année au profit des porte-aéronefs, dotés d'avions à décollage court et vertical. Outre le fait que la Royal Navy disposerait, alors, d'appareils aux performances et capacités renforcées, le groupe aéronaval britannique deviendrait interopérable avec ceux de l'US Navy et de la Marine nationale.

domingo, 23 de agosto de 2009

Transforming E-Craft

The Navy’s Transforming E-Craft

2009 August 23
by Mike Burleson
The Office of Naval Research E-Craft, an experimental high-speed transformable hull form vessel, is under construction at Alaska Ship and Drydock in Ketchikan, Alaska.

The Office of Naval Research E-Craft, an experimental high-speed transformable hull form vessel, is under construction at Alaska Ship and Drydock in Ketchikan, Alaska.

The MV Susitna catamaran ferry is an interesting concept similar to the Navy’s current fleet of catamaran vessels with one remarkable difference, it has the ability to transform from a deep water transport to a shallow draft vessel, specifically into 3 distinct modes of barge, catamaran and SWATH (small waterplane area twin hull) ship. From the Office of Naval Research:

The ship will have a center “barge” that can be hydraulically raised and lowered; it also will have the option to adjust the buoyancy of its catamaran hulls while under way. The vessel will demonstrate the functionality of a ship that can provide a multipurpose, expeditionary cargo and troop ship that performs efficiently at high speed, in ice, and in shallow waters, and that can even beach itself to load/discharge vehicles up to tank size.

The vessel will have three distinct modes of operation: a catamaran mode for high speeds; a small-water-area-twin-hull (SWATH) mode for stability in high sea states; and a shallow-draft landing-craft mode that provides substantial buoyancy for maneuvering in shallow water. In addition, the Susitna will be the world´s first ice-breaking twin-hulled vessel.

Also interesting is the partnership with commercial industry to see the project to fruition. The Navy is in league with the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and Alaska Ship & Drydock, with the funds coming from the ONR. When launched, the ferry will operate between Anchorage, Alaska and Port Mackenzie in its civil guise while the Navy takes notes.

Naturally the government is interested in MV Susitna’s military applications, and potentially these are considerable. The Navy sees it as key for its expeditionary/amphibious warfare sea basing plans, hence the official moniker of “E-craft”. This is also where its transforming abilities come to play, allowing it to morph into a shallow-water “Sealifter” quickly from its Blue Water transport mode. Global Security explains this concept:

The E-Craft is a variable-draft vessel that includes a center hull; a first side hull coupled to a first side of the center hull; a second side hull coupled to a second side of the center hull; and at least one cross support coupling the first and second side hulls, wherein the center hull is configured to be vertically translated with respect to the first and second side hulls. According to a specific embodiment, the vessel further includes lifting mechanism configured to vertically translate the center hull with respect to the first and second side hulls. The lifting mechanism may include a plurality of hydraulic actuators coupled between the center hull and the first and second side hulls…

The center hull may be raised above the water, thereby forcing the side hulls relatively deep into the water (i.e., relatively deep draft)…In deep-draft-transit mode, the height of the center hull may be adjusted such that a top deck of the center hull approximately matches, for example, the height of a pier or the like…When each of the side hulls and the center hull are in the water, the configuration of the vessel is referred to as the shallow-draft mode. As each of the three hulls is in the water, the hull form is similar to flat-bottomed-monohull vessels and has a relatively high buoyancy and relatively low draft.

In our view, we see the E-craft along with the other high speed catamarans such as the HSV-2 Swift built by Incat from a catamaran ferry design, as the future of amphibious warfare. As the techniques now stands in the US and other large navies, the idea of amphibious warfare is for very large and costly “motherships” to act as a go-between to the actual landing vessels to get the Marines and their cargo to shore. By doing away with this very costly, large and vulnerable “middleman”, shallow draft ferries would carry the troops from a port of embarkation to the landing zone directly and very quickly. Naturally such a strategy would entail the purchase of very many such craft to match the current lifting abilities of large Amphib ships, but historically in wartime conditions, many ships are more desirable and ensures than some will survive to perform their essential mission, by not placing all your precious expeditionary assets in a few giant hulls.

E-craft also has considerable arctic abilities, able to sail through 2 feet of ice. We wonder if this might also be of interest to our Canadian friends, currently searching for arctic patrol vessels?

Here is the MV Susitna’s specifications:

· Length -195 Feet, Beam – 60 feet

· Displacement: 940 tons full load

· Variable Draft – SWATH mode is 12± feet, shallow-draft landing-craft mode is 4± feet.

· Capacity: 100 Passengers and 20 vehicles.

· Speed: 20 knots

· Power Plant: 4 ea., MTU 12V 4000 diesel engines

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in April 2010. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough also has a website on the E-craf

segunda-feira, 17 de agosto de 2009

Navio-Veleiro “Cisne Branco” vence regata internacional no Atlântico Norte Como parte integrante das atividades programadas pela “Sail Training Inte

Navio-Veleiro “Cisne Branco” vence regata internacional
no Atlântico Norte


Como parte integrante das atividades programadas pela “Sail Training International” (organização europeia sem fins lucrativos, criada com o objetivo de formar jovens pela arte de navegar), o Navio-Veleiro (NVe) “Cisne Branco” venceu, no dia 5 de agosto, a 5ª etapa das regatas que compuseram a “Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009”, maior evento náutico realizado esse ano, sendo a única de que participou.

Este grande evento náutico começou em Vigo (Espanha), em maio, passando por Tenerife (Espanha), Bermuda, Estados Unidos, Canadá e Irlanda, com veleiros de várias nacionalidades, alguns integrando a frota durante todo o percurso e outros apenas parcialmente, como foi o caso do NVe “Cisne Branco”.

A regata estava prevista para cruzar o Atlântico Norte, saindo de Halifax (Canadá), indo até Belfast (Irlanda), retornando a Europa. O tempo total estimado para a travessia era de 23 dias, sendo que o veleiro brasileiro completou o percurso em apenas 15 dias, sendo o “Fita Azul” (Line of Honours), prêmio destinado ao primeiro navio a cruzar a linha de chegada, independente da classe e do tempo corrigido (fator utilizado para equalizar o tempo entre veleiros de características distintas).

Além do “Cisne Branco”, estavam inscritos na regata veleiros da Alemanha, Bélgica, França, Holanda, Portugal, Reino Unido, Rússia e Uruguai. O navio veleiro russo “Kruzenshtern” participou apenas da largada, em virtude de séria avaria sofrida no mastro do traquete (mastro mais avante dos quatro que possui), ocorrida dias antes da largada.

A derrota inicialmente traçada passaria próximo à área onde houve o acidente com o Titanic, em 1912, porém os organizadores da regata propuseram que os navios montassem uma boia localizada mais ao sul para evitar a rota dos icebergs, tornando impossível a navegação direta para Belfast e acrescentando dose extra de desafio para os competidores.

Foram 15 dias de navegação, onde o navio enfrentou calmarias e mares agitados, com ventos de até 48 nós, (89 km/h) e ondas de 7 metros de altura, totalizando cerca de 2.350 milhas náuticas (4.350 km) e variações de pressão atmosférica de 25 milibares, muito acentuada se comparada com a média encontrada no Atlântico Sul, alcançando o máximo de 16,3 nós de velocidade.

Além de ser o “Fita Azul”, o NVe “Cisne Branco” recebeu os prêmios de primeiro lugar entre os navios de sua classe e o de segundo lugar geral (considerando-se todos os navios das demais classes participantes) entre os 12 competidores, elevando o nome do Brasil à posição mais alta do pódio das regatas internacionais de veleiros clássicos.


quarta-feira, 12 de agosto de 2009

HISTORIA HMAS Sydney inquiry blames captain for worst naval disaster

HMAS Sydney inquiry blames captain for worst naval disaster

HMAS Sydney.

HMAS Sydney. Photo: Reuters

Brendan Nicholson
August 12, 2009 - 1:10PM

Nearly 70 years after the sinking of the pride of the Australian Navy, HMAS Sydney, by the German raider Kormoran, an inquiry has blamed the Australian warship's captain for its loss with all 645 crew.

HMAS Sydney vanished on November 19, 1941, 112 nautical miles off the Western Australian coast after a brutal battle with the raider, which was disguised as a Dutch merchant ship.

The inquiry was headed by former judge Terence Cole, who said Sydney's commander Captain Joseph Burnett inexplicably brought his ship to within 1000 metres of the Kormoran, which in naval gunnery terms was "point blank range".

The Germans caught the Australian crew completely by surprise and Mr Cole said it was likely that within minutes, 70 per cent of the Australian sailors and airmen were dead.

He said the remaining crew, many wounded or suffering from inhalation of smoke and toxic fumes inside the blazing warship, would have had little chance of survival when the Sydney sank very suddenly.

Mr Cole said he had not made any formal finding of negligence against Captain Burnett.

"The commanding officer of HMAS Sydney II was not expecting to encounter any merchant ship in the location where he encountered Kormoran," Mr Cole said.

"That knowledge together with his knowledge of the possible presence of a German raider, should have caused the sighted vessel to be treated as suspicious."

Mr Cole produced a hefty three-volume report on the Sydney's loss, one volume of which deals with conspiracy theories that have emerged over the years to explain how a raider was able to overwhelm a large warship and how there were no survivors from the Sydney.

He said he was satisfied that all of these theories - including that a foreign submarine may have been involved, or that the Germans murdered Australian survivors - were untrue.

"Each of the many frauds, theories and speculations reported to the inquiry were thoroughly investigated and none were found to have any substance whatsoever," Mr Cole said.

He also said Captain Burnett had been sent, just days before he encountered the Kormoran, detailed lists of all of the merchant ships around the Australian coast and he should have realised quickly that the Kormoran's claim to be a Dutch vessel was false.

Australian Defence Force chief Angus Houston welcomed the report, saying it answered many questions that had haunted the families of the brave sailors and airmen who never came home.

"For a long time, our nation has struggled to understand how our greatest maritime disaster occurred," Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

The inquiry was launched in March 2008 and investigators received hundreds of submissions and travelled to Europe to interview German survivors.

sexta-feira, 7 de agosto de 2009

CURSO DE ESTRATÉGIA MARÍTIMA NA FEMAR

sexta-feira, 24 de julho de 2009

REVISTA MARITIMA BRASILEIRA




Vários autores

A revista é uma publicação oficial da Marinha do Brasil desde 1851.

Com edição trimestral, apresenta artigos de autores nacionais e estrangeiros sobre assuntos históricos, técnicos e estratégicos.

A RMB contém também as seções: "Noticiário Marítimo", "A Marinha de Outrora", "Aconteceu Há Cem Anos", "O Lado Pitoresco da Vida Naval", "Revista de Revistas", "Carta dos Leitores" e "Doações ao SDM". o


SUMÁRIO


9 NOSSA CAPA - A IMPORTÂNCIA DA CONSTRUÇÃO DO SUBMARINO DE PROPULSÃO NUCLEAR BRASILEIRO


Julio Soares de Moura Neto - Almirante de Esquadra - Comandante da Marinha
Aspectos estratégicos. Submarinos convencionais e nucleares - significado da sua posse. Avanço tecnológico para o País

17 UM IRLANDÊS NA MARINHA DO BRASIL
José Maria do Amaral Oliveira - Almirante de Esquadra (Refo)
Encerramento da série - homenagem ao autor

19 O JAPÃO, PEARL HARBOR E A SAGA DO ALMIRANTE KIMMEL (XXII)
Mário Jorge da Fonseca Hermes - Almirante de Esquadra (Refo)
Julgamento da opinião pública. Comissões do Exército, da Marinha e do Congresso. Veredicto da história - Resgate da honra do Almirante Kimmel pelo Congresso dos EUA. Encerramento da série - homenagem ao autor

35 A GUERRA DAS CHATAS
Luiz Edmundo Brígido Bittencourt - Vice-Almirante (Refo)
Concentração dos aliados - Combate de Corales. Consequências de Riachuelo. A chata artilhada - duelos de artilharia. Morte de Mariz e Barros

48 A CAMPANHA NAVAL NA GUERRA DA TRÍPLICE ALIANÇA CONTRA O PARAGUAI
Armando Amorim Ferreira Vidigal - Vice-Almirante (Refo)
A tecnologia disponível na época. Esforço na construção naval. Uma batalha decisiva - Riachuelo. Preço da guerra - 50 mil mortos

55 OCEANOPOLÍTICA: UMA PESQUISA PRELIMINAR
Ilques Barbosa Junior - Contra-Almirante
Importância do conhecimento sobre o oceano. Estudos da oceanopolítica - conceitos e pesquisas. Poder Marítimo - teoria e prática

69 ESTRATÉGIA DE DEFESA DA AMAZÔNIA BRASILEIRA
Roberto Gama e Silva - Contra-Almirante (Refo)
O elevado tirocínio do Marquês de Pombal na anexação da Amazônia. Estratégia aplicável aos dias de hoje - sugestões de instalação de unidades da Marinha em pontos estratégicos

76 O SUBMARINO NUCLEAR BRASILEIRO. UMA VISÃO
Adalberto Casaes Júnior - Contra-Almirante (RM1)
Por que um submarino nuclear? Antecedentes - os principais desafios. Alternativa para a base de submarinos - a formação e o preparo do pessoal

93 A ESTRATÉGIA DO IMPERADOR: AUSTERLITZ E TRAFALGAR NO CONTEXTO ESTRATÉGICO DE NAPOLEÃO
Sylvio dos Santos Val - Professor
Resumo histórico de Napoleão - despreparo da França no mar diante da Inglaterra. A geopolítica sobre Napoleão

104 MARINHA DO BRASIL: PERSPECTIVAS
Eduardo Ítalo Pesce - Professor
A Marinha na Estratégia Nacional de Defesa. Reaparelhamento da Marinha - construções e perspectivas

121 O MELHOR SAPATEIRO DA PÉRSIA
Sergio Lima Ypiranga dos Guaranys - Capitão de Mar e Guerra (Refo)
Modo meticuloso e completo de raciocínio para o exercício do comando - iniciativa, criatividade, talento

126 POR QUE FERNANDO DE NORONHA?
- Voo 447 da Air France
Milton Sergio Silva Corrêa - Capitão de Mar e Guerra (Refo)
O acidente com avião da Air France. Fernando de Noronha - ponto a se aproveitar na Estratégia de Defesa do Brasil - projeto desenvolvido e não executado

128 A ESTRATÉGIA NACIONAL DE DEFESA E A INDÚSTRIA NACIONAL DE DEFESA
Fernando Malburg da Silveira - Capitão de Mar e Guerra (Refo)
Interesse da indústria nacional. Escassez de recursos orçamentários. Aspiração das Forças Armadas. O Estado como regulador na atividade econômica produtiva - a parceria com o governo

142 SOBRE A INDEPENDÊNCIA DO BRASIL
Germano de Freitas - Capitão de Mar e Guerra (IM-RM1)
Resumo sobre a Independência. Ameaças à soberania da Nação - demarcação de terras indígenas - ONGs - cobiça sobre a Amazônia

147 ALFRED THAYER MAHAN: O HOMEM (I)
Francisco Eduardo Alves de Almeida - Capitão de Mar e Guerra (RM1)
Biografia resumida. Influência na mentalidade marítima - estratégia - poder marítimo. Pensador que influiu na história das nações

174 A EVOLUÇÃO DA GUERRA
Antonio Luiz Porto e Albuquerque - Capitão de Fragata (RM1)
A guerra naval antes do emprego do canhão
História marítima com a evolução das embarcações. Técnicas empregadas - alterações de conceito, estratégia e tática
A guerra na idade moderna
A guerra terrestre. Evolução na guerra naval com o emprego do canhão

199 EDUCAÇÃO - REPENSANDO A AVALIAÇÃO INSTITUCIONAL
Natália Morais Corrêa Borges de Aguiar - Capitão de Corveta (T)
Discussão da avaliação institucional na educação, em busca de propostas e alternativas. Sistemas de Avaliação da Escola Básica e do Ensino Superior - evolução conceitual

207 A REGULAÇÃO PRUDENCIAL E OS PRINCÍPIOS PARA MELHORIA DAS OPERAÇÕES BANCÁRIAS NACIONAIS - COMO O BRASIL SE PREPAROU PARA A PIOR CRISE ECONÔMICA MUNDIAL DESDE 1929
Jeisom de Melo Fajardo - Capitão-Tenente (IM)
A atual crise econômica e os choques no sistema financeiro do mundo. Análise da eficiência da regulação prudencial brasileira; verificação de como o governo vem mantendo o sistema financeiro nacional saudável

218 ULTIMA RATIO
Helio Leoncio Martins - Aspirante
Análise da conjuntura mundial em 1934 e sugestão para o Brasil se armar - previsão feita cinco anos antes da eclosão da Segunda Guerra Mundial

220 ARTIGOS AVULSOS
220 O BOMBARDEIO DE ALVEAR

Antonio Gonçalves Meira - Coronel (Refo)
Relato de bombardeio da cidade argentina por monitores da Flotilha do Alto Uruguai, em 1878
221 A NACIONALIZAÇÃO DE ITENS DE SUPRIMENTO NO CENTRO LOGÍSTICO DA
AERONÁUTICA

Marcos André Westphalen Palma - Capitão de Corveta (EN)
Carlos Fernandes da Silva Junior - Capitão de Corveta (IM)
Acordo da Marinha com a Força Aérea para aproveitamento da sistemática utilizada pela FAB a fim de nacionalizar itens de suprimento utilizados em meios navais

225 CARTAS DOS LEITORES
Relato de viagem do Cruzador Barroso a Imbituba - SC, em 1964

233 O LADO PITORESCO DA VIDA NAVAL
Oficial moderno entusiasmado, em inspeção particular noturna, rende oficial superior que realizava serviço
Comandante de navio se aborrece com manifestação involuntária da guarnição em faina de lona e areia

236 DOAÇÕES AO SDM

238 NECROLÓGIO

241 ACONTECEU HÁ CEM ANOS

250 REVISTA DE REVISTAS
Sinopses de matérias selecionadas em publicações, entre mais de meia centena - recebidas e lidas -, do Brasil e do exterior

270 NOTICIÁRIO MARÍTIMO
Coletânea de notícias mais significativas da Marinha do Brasil, de outras Marinhas, incluída a Mercante, e assuntos de interesse da comunidade marítima


Cisne Branco" na Norfolk Harborfest ,EUA

Navio-Veleiro "Cisne Branco" participa da
33ª Norfolk Harborfest

O Navio-Veleiro (NVe) “Cisne Branco” atracou no dia 2 de Julho, em Norfolk, nos EUA, incorporando-se a uma tradicional festa da cidade, a Norfolk Harborfest.

O evento náutico acontece todos os anos, desde 1976, quando o navio veleiro norueguês, Christian Radich, atracou na cidade e, em apenas um dia e meio, foi visitado por mais de 13.000 pessoas. O interesse do público fez com que fossem criados mais locais com para visitação, como o Waterside.

Nesse porto foi quebrado o recorde diário de visitação ao NVe “Cisne Branco”, com a presença de 8.483 pessoas.

Ainda em Norfolk, o Adido Naval Brasileiro nos Estados Unidos e no Canadá recepcionou os organizadores do evento, representantes da embaixada brasileira nos EUA, autoridades navais de países participantes e da cidade.

Ainda como parte das comemorações, o navio participou da Parada Naval realizada no dia 3 de Julho, sendo o primeiro da coluna, liderando cerca de 250 embarcações. No início da tarde, os Aspirantes da Escola Naval comporam a delegação.



Navio de Assistência Hospitalar "Tenente Maximiano"

Primeira comissão do Navio de Assistência Hospitalar
"Tenente Maximiano"

No período de 10 de junho a 12 de julho, o Navio de Assistência Hospitalar (NAsH) “Tenente Maximiano” realizou sua viagem inaugural com a comissão de Assistência Cívico-Social (ACISO). O propósito da viagem foi prestar assistência médica, odontológica e sanitária às populações ribeirinhas da região do Pantanal, do Mato Grosso e do Mato Grosso do Sul, que vivem em comunidades isoladas, às margens dos rios Paraguai e Cuiabá.

Nos 32 dias de ACISO, foram empregados Oficiais de Saúde da Marinha do Brasil, com atendimentos à seguintes localidades: no Estado de Mato Grosso, Aterradinho Santo Antônio do Leverger, São Gonçalo do Beira Rio, Barão de Melgaço, Piúva, Porto Brandão, Estirão Comprido, Cuiabá Mirim, Porto Cercado e Barra do Piraim; e no Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Porto Paraíso, Paraguai Mirim, Baía do Castelo e São Domingos.

Foram realizados mais de 2 mil atendimentos, com consultas médicas de clínica geral, tratamentos dentários, diversos procedimentos ambulatoriais e emergenciais, curativos e aplicação de vacinas. Durante as consultas foram distribuídos mais de 23 mil medicamentos essenciais ao tratamento de várias doenças.



quarta-feira, 15 de julho de 2009

Dossier : Les corvettes et OPV de la famille Gowind

Dossier : Les corvettes et OPV de la famille Gowind

Corvette du type Gowind Action
crédits : DCNS


17/06/2009

Nous rediffusons aujourd'hui notre dossier sur les corvettes de la famille Gowind, complété de nombreuses images récentes et pour la plupart inédites. Ces vues permettent de mieux apprécier l'architecture et les différentes capacités que pourront offrir ces navires, conçus par DCNS. Lancée en 2006, une première version des corvettes Gowind n'avait eu qu'un succès modéré. Ces bateaux de 1000 à 2000 tonnes présentaient certes de belles lignes et un équipement conséquent, mais ils étaient avant tout conçus comme de petites frégates très armées. Or, il s'est avéré rapidement que de nombreux prospects avaient des budgets trop contraints pour acquérir ce genre d'unités. D'autres n'étaient pas intéressés par des corvettes complexes, préférant des navires simples et robustes du type OPV (Ocean Patrol Vessel), patrouilleurs endurants à même de mener de longues patrouilles en mer. DCNS a donc totalement revu sa copie pour présenter de nouvelles Gowind, plus économiques et mieux adaptées aux besoins actuels. « Ces dernières années, les missions ont évolué en matière de sauvegarde maritime. On constate par exemple un besoin croissant en matière de lutte contre la piraterie et contre le narcotrafic. Il était donc intéressant d'avoir une gamme de navires répondant à ces missions mais assez configurables pour assurer également des missions de combat, avec une graduation entre les deux », explique Marc Leroy, Directeur ligne de produits Bâtiments de Surface au sein de DCNS.


Un OPV de la famille Gowind (© DCNS)

Simples, économiques et faciles à construire localement

De la police des pêches à la mise en oeuvre de forces spéciales en passant par la surveillance et la lutte antinavire, la nouvelle famille Gowind doit couvrir un éventail très large de missions. « Nous avons imaginé un bateau simple à mettre en oeuvre et à maintenir, présentant des coûts très compétitifs et doté de systèmes pouvant s'adapter aux missions ». Un important travail a été mené sur l'architecture du navire, une architecture simple permettant de décliner avec souplesse différentes versions. Cela permet également de prévoir une construction facile, à même de répondre aux contrats en transfert de technologie. « Nous pensons que pour ces bateaux, nous aurons presque systématiquement des contrats en transfert de technologie. La conception est donc très simple, permettant une construction dans presque tous les chantiers du monde », souligne Marc Leroy. Construites aux standards civils pour la partie plateforme, les Gowind bénéficient par exemple d'une propulsion basique. Elle s'articulera autour de deux lignes d'arbres disposant chacune d'un réducteur, d'un moteur diesel et d'un petit moteur électrique. « Jusqu'à 6 ou 7 noeuds, pour les manoeuvres portuaires ou les navigations à faible vitesse, le petit moteur électrique prendra le relais du diesel. Cela permet de ne pas encrasser les diesels et de naviguer sans rejet dans des zones sensibles ». Les plus petits modèles pourront, en outre, ne disposer que d'une seule ligne d'arbres.
Outre l'architecture simplifiée permettant une construction locale aisée, DCNS développe dans le même temps des services pour accompagner les marines émergentes. Cette offre va de l'assistante à la définition du besoin opérationnel jusqu'aux aides au financement, sans oublier évidemment des formules de maintenance « clés en main » sur des périodes déterminées.


La famille Gowind (© DCNS)

Différents modèles pour différentes missions

Les nouvelles Gowind se déclinent en trois versions principales, chacune pouvant être bien évidemment adaptée aux besoins exprimés par les marines intéressées. D'une longueur de 85 à 105 mètres, ces bâtiments affichent des déplacements allant de 1000 à 2500 tonnes. Faiblement armée, la Gowind Control est dédiée à la sauvegarde maritime dans les Zones Economiques Exclusives (ZEE). Dans sa version la plus simple (OPV), ce modèle peut être doté de canons télé-opérés (comme un affut de 20mm à l'avant) et de canons à eau. Dans une version plus évoluée, il est possible d'installer sur la plateforme une tourelle de 76 mm et quatre missiles antinavire sur la plage avant. La Gowind Control dispose d'une plateforme hélicoptère mais pas de hangar, contrairement aux autres modèles. A l'instar de ses « cousines », elle est en revanche dotée à la poupe d'un système de mise à l'eau pour embarcations rapides.


Gowind Control (© DCNS)


Gowind Control (© DCNS)


Gowind Control avec drone (© DCNS)


Gowind Control avec hélicoptère (© DCNS)


Gowind Control : Passerelle (© DCNS)


Gowind Control : Passerelle (© DCNS)


Gowind Control : Embarcations rapides (© DCNS)


Gowind Control : Embarcations rapides (© DCNS)


Gowind Control : Embarcations rapides (© DCNS)


Gowind Control (© DCNS)


Gowind Control (© DCNS)


Gowind Control (© DCNS)


Gowind Control (© DCNS)


Gowind Control (© DCNS)


Gowind Control (© DCNS)


Gowind Control (© DCNS)

Plus grosse, la Gowind Presence doit également assurer des missions de sauvegarde mais sa taille plus volumineuse lui permet de patrouiller plus longtemps. L'autonomie est importante, affichant 5000 nautiques à 12 noeuds (contre 3500 nautiques à 12 noeuds pour la Gowind Control), soit un déploiement d'environ deux semaines. « Nous sommes sur des navires océaniques, capables de tenir la mer de rester un certain temps en opération. Les intérêts maritimes des pays vont jusqu'aux limites des ZEE et, quand on regarde ce qui se passe avec la piraterie en océan Indien, il faut souvent contrôler des zones assez éloignées des ports ». La capacité d'intervention rapide est par ailleurs renforcée sur la Gowind Presence, avec un hangar pour un hélicoptère ou des drones.


Gowind Presence (© DCNS)


Gowind Presence (© DCNS)


Gowind Presence (© DCNS)


Gowind Presence : Passerelle (© DCNS)


Gowind Presence : Passerelle (© DCNS)


Gowind Presence : CO (© DCNS)


Gowind Presence : CO (© DCNS)


Gowind Presence : Passerelle (© DCNS)


Gowind Presence : Passerelle (© DCNS)


Gowind Presence : Passerelle (© DCNS)


Gowind Presence : Passerelle (© DCNS)


Gowind Presence : Passerelle (© DCNS)


Gowind Presence : Passerelle (© DCNS)


Gowind Presence : Passerelle (© DCNS)

Conçue sur la même coque, la Gowind Action dispose d'équipements plus importants. En matière d'autodéfense, l'armement peut être complété avec des missiles surface-air à lancement vertical (Mica VL, Umkhonto, Crotale...). On notera par ailleurs qu'à l'instar de la Gowind Control, la possibilité d'embarquer le nouveau missile Exocet MM40 Block3, doté d'un GPS, confère à ces unités une capacité de frappe contre des cibles côtières.
Sur la Gowind Action, les moyens de détection sont également renforcés, avec un radar tridimensionnel, par exemple le MRR 3D de Thales (au lieu d'un radar 2D ou radar de navigation). Dans la version la plus armée, il est également possible d'ajouter des moyens de vision nocturne (infrarouge) et même des lance-leurres.


Gowind Action (© DCNS)


Gowind Action (© DCNS)


Gowind Action (© DCNS)


Gowind Action (© DCNS)


Gowind Action (© DCNS)


Gowind Action (© DCNS)


Gowind Action (© DCNS)


Gowind Action (© DCNS)


Gowind Action (© DCNS)


Gowind Action (© DCNS)


Gowind Action (© DCNS)


Gowind Action (© DCNS)


Gowind Action (© DCNS)


Gowind Action (© DCNS)

Ces trois versions de la Gowind restent, néanmoins, des « points de référence ». Comme l'explique Marc Leroy : « Il n'y a pas d'idées figées. Ce sont de grands points de référence correspondant à des missions types. Ensuite, la taille et l'équipement dépend des besoins spécifiques du client, qui peut d'ailleurs panacher plusieurs modèles ».
Enfin, DCNS a conservé une version de la précédente famille Gowind, présentée en 2006. La Gowind Combat, d'environ 2000 tonnes, n'est autre que le modèle qui doit être réalisé à deux exemplaires pour la Bulgarie. Elle dispose d'une plateforme et d'un hangar pour hélicoptère ou drones, de missiles antinavire, de missiles surface-air à lancement vertical et de torpilles légères.


Gowind Combat (© DCNS)


Gowind Combat (© DCNS)


Gowind Combat (© DCNS)


Gowind Combat (© DCNS)


Gowind Combat (© DCNS)


Gowind Combat (© DCNS)


Gowind Combat (© DCNS)


Gowind Combat (© DCNS)


Gowind Combat (© DCNS)


Gowind Combat (© DCNS)


Gowind Combat (© DCNS)

Mise en oeuvre rapide d'embarcations d'intervention

Afin de déterminer les grandes caractéristiques générales des nouvelles Gowind, DCNS s'est rapproché de ses clients, à commencer par le premier d'entre-eux : La Marine nationale. Dans les discussions, l'importance de la mise en oeuvre de moyens d'intervention nautiques est rapidement apparue. Cette nécessité est issue du retour d'expérience des marins en matière de contrôle de navires ou d'intervention contre des trafiquants de drogue ou des pirates. « Il est très important de pouvoir mettre rapidement une embarcation à l'eau pour mener une interception. Et il faut pouvoir assez vite pouvoir en déployer une seconde qui va assurer l'appui de la première ». Les ingénieurs ont travaillé avec les commandos marine sur le système de mise à l'eau rapide d'embarcations. Plutôt qu'un logement des embarcations en niches et une manutention par bossoirs, dispositif imposant au bâtiment porteur de ralentir pour la mise à l'eau, un système par pan incliné et ouverture par le tableau arrière a été retenu. « Ce système permet une mise à l'eau discrète tout en gardant une certaine course. De plus, la mise à l'eau permet de protéger partiellement l'embarcation lorsque la mer est mauvaise ». Les Gowind pourront embarquer des canots allant jusqu'à 11 mètres, soit la taille des embarcations utilisées par les forces spéciales.


Gowind : Embarcations rapides (© DCNS)


Gowind : Embarcations rapides (© DCNS)


Gowind : Embarcations rapides (© DCNS)


Gowind : Embarcations rapides (© DCNS)


Gowind : Embarcations rapides (© DCNS)


Gowind : Embarcations rapides (© DCNS)


Gowind : Embarcations rapides (© DCNS)

Système d'information et moyens de surveillance

Amenées à évoluer dans de vastes zones maritimes, les Gowind sont dotées d'une mâture unique, rassemblant les senseurs. Elles disposent de moyens leur permettant de s'intégrer dans un dispositif de surveillance comprenant différents moyens, qu'il s'agisse de navires, d'aéronefs, de drones et de satellites. « En matière de surveillance, l'information est très importante. Il y aura une bonne présentation de la situation tactique, des systèmes de communication par satellite ou encore des moyens de surveillance infrarouge. Dans le domaine des radars, la mâture intégrée est prévue pour pouvoir accueillir des radars comme le MRR 3D ou le Sea Giraffe. On peut même installer des systèmes un peu plus gros, comme le SMART-S de Thales ». Disposant toutes d'au moins une plateforme pour hélicoptère, les différentes Gowind pourront, de plus, mettre en oeuvre des drones, outils devant assurer, à l'avenir, un rôle important dans la surveillance des espaces maritimes.
Les corvettes disposent en outre d'une passerelle panoramique, offrant une bonne vieille optique, par exemple contre les menaces asymétriques. A ce sujet, les Gowind peuvent être dotées de moyens gradués contre ce type de lutte, allant des canons à eau jusqu'aux canons de 12.7 mm ou 20 mm téléopérés. La passerelle panoramique permet aussi de voir directement le pont d'envol et l'installation de mise à l'eau des embarcations.


Gowind : Passerelle panoramique (© DCNS)


Gowind : Mise en oeuvre de drones (© DCNS)


Gowind : Mise en oeuvre de drones (© DCNS)

Pour les grandes flottes et les marines émergentes

Présentée pour la première fois en septembre 2008, lors d'un salon en Afrique du sud, la nouvelle famille Gowind suscite déjà beaucoup d'intérêt. La nécessité générale de renforcer les moyens de surveillance maritime et la souplesse de conception du nouveau produit de DCNS font que la corvette française semble trouver un premier écho très favorable sur le marché. A l'export, le potentiel de ventes serait important, d'autant que l'industriel a travaillé sur un produit économiquement accessible et pouvant être facilement construit localement. Mais la nouvelle Gowind ne s'adresse pas uniquement aux marines émergentes. DCNS peut notamment présenter sa corvette à la Marine nationale en vue d'assurer le remplacement, au cours de la prochaine décennie, des 9 avisos encore en service, ainsi que des 10 patrouilleurs du type P400. La flotte française est, en effet, à la recherche de grands patrouilleurs hauturiers, peu coûteux, endurants et économiques à entretenir. On notera également que les Gowind disposent de capacités de transport de matériel, notamment sur la plage arrière.