ESPS M-31 Segura and M-268 TCG Akçakoca maneuvering during ITA MINEX 2012. Official NATO photo.

According to NATO, the Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) ended its participation in Italian Minex 12, an annual exercise directed by the Italian Navy MCM Forces Command

The Exercise Started on 14th May and ended on 28th May, involved 14 naval units from Italy and SNMCMG2 as well as bomb-disposal specialists from Italy and France. The NATO Underwater Research Centre (NURC) also participated with autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) capable of carrying out underwater inspections in support of MCM operations.

The Group is maintained at high-readiness and can deploy as required by the Alliance even at strategic distance. It is made up of ships from various Allied nations which train and operate together throughout the year and participate in numerous exercises conducted by the Alliance, as a mine-countermeasure force. The primary task is to defend sea routes from the underwater mine threat. As a secondary task the group collects important data on the marine environment and sea bottom, which contributes to scientific research.

F-45 BNS União

But as the photo above show we have a new visitor: the Brazilian Niterói Class Frigate F-45 BNS União.

From November 2011 till this month, she was the flagship of Rear Admiral Luiz Henrique Caroli of Brazil, the Commander of the UNIFIL-MTF which is assisting the Lebanese Navy monitor Lebanese territorial waters. Another Niteroi class frigate F-43 BNS Liberal has replaced her in UNIFIL. The Brazilian sailors are doing a well earned port visit in Istanbul before departing for a long voyage to home.

The starboard Bofors 40mm Mk3 Sea Trinity gun and MM-40 Block II Exocet missiles

The 375mm Bofors ASW mortar (left) and 115mm Vickers Mk8 gun. The fouling on the ship is visible in this photo. She will be overhauled upon her arrival in Brazil for sure.

The ship crest and the AESN RAN 20 search radar

The União from starboard quarter. The Mk29 SAM launcher at aft is visible

The ships are on an open sea training cruises for the freshman of the Naval Petty Officer Training School, to prepare the future mariners for their duties. The cruise will end on 3rd June 2012.

According to Rusnavy.com:

Turkish Navy task unit consisting of training ships Iskenderun and Cezayirli Gazi Hasan Paşa called at Russian port Novorossiysk paying formal visit. About 500 naval cadets are on board the Turkish ships.

Purpose of the visit is strengthening of military cooperation between the two countries and exchange of naval training experience.

The task unit is headed by Capt Serdar Gundoglu. Solemn meeting ceremony took place at Novorossiysk seaport. Ladies dressed in Russian national costumes presented traditional bread and salt to the foreign guests.

Later on, a regular moorage security meeting was held on board Turkish ship Iskenderun. The meeting was attended by representatives of local police, harbor security service, and Novorossiysk Naval Base command.

Today the guests paid courtesy visits to Novorossiysk Mayor Vladimir Sinyagovsky and Novorossiysk Naval Base Commander (senior naval officer) Capt 1 Rank Sergei Pinchuk, and visited museum cruiser Mikhail Kutuzov.

When staying in Novorossiysk, Turkish naval cadets will attend the wreath-laying ceremony at the Square of Heroes and visit navigation training center of Novorossiysk State Maritime Academy. It is also planned to hold sport competitions in soccer, volleyball and basketball between Russian and Turkish mariners.

I must confess that I am very impressed with the cleanliness of her lines. she is the one of the few ships that I have ever seen that has such an uncluttered superstructure.

As the flagship of SNMG-1 she will sail to Gulf Of Aden after departure from Istanbul to relive the SNMG-2 in fight against piracy.

F-805 HNLMS Evertsen has powerful radars, a very sophisticated combat management systems and SAM missiles. Yet despite the mentioned expensive systems, the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) and the couple .50 machine guns are probably the most effective weapons this ship will employ against piracy. And compared to the value of the SM-2 SAM missiles she carries the LRAD and the machine guns are almost free.

F-805 HNLMS Evertsen

SMART L, 3D radar

From top: Thales Sabre intercept/jammer, Sirius IRST optronic director, APAR E/F/I band radar, Mirador Trainable Electro-Optical Observation System, Thales Goalkeeper close-in weapon system. 

One of the two on board Thales Goalkeeper close-in weapons.

Long Range Acoustic Device, one of the most used weapons against pirates.

Thales Mirador Trainable Electro-Optical Observation System

The starboard Mk32 Mod9 fixed torpedo launchers.

F-209 FGS Rheinland-Pfalz

F-805 HNLMS Evertsen

Today the NATO SNMG-1 task group consisting of the German frigate F-209 FGS Rheinland-Pfalz and Dutch frigate/destroyer F-805 HNLMS Evertsen arrived in Istanbul for an official visit. Long gone are the days when the visiting NATO fleet would cover a considerable space in Bosphorus.

After their stay in Istanbul the task force will replace SNMG-2 in Gulf of Aden.

TF-2000 air defence warship, is one of the important naval future naval projects for Turkish Navy and for Turkish naval shipbuilding industry. Turkish Navy uses the Gabya class frigates for area air defence missions as they have the SM-1 anti-air missile. But both the missiles and the ships are getting past their prime ages, though Turkish Navy invests heavily in modernising the Gabya class ships with MK-41 VLS, ESSM missiles, Smart s 3D radar and with modern CIC and combat management software.

According to the long termed defence acquisition plans of Turkish Navy, it is envisaged that around  year 2020,  Turkey will need dedicated air defence warships that will defeat the modern aerial threats and provide cover for friendly ships and conduct support functions such as command and control, reconnaissance, early warning, electronic warfare.

The British defence giant BAE Systems, started in marketing their Type-26/GCS platform as a candidate for the TF-2000 programme. The British Goverment backed up BAE by designated Turkey as a strategic partner. In 2010, Prime Ministers Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and David Cameron signed a new Turkey/United Kingdom Strategic Partnership in Ankara. During his visit to UK, the President Abdullah Gül even visited HMS Dauntless.

So BAE was considered one of the main players in TF-2000 project along with Navantia as shipyard and Lockheed Martin as sensor and combat management system supplier. Till today.

U.S. defense industry giant Lockheed Martin has been left as the only bidder in the $3 billion project for the joint manufacture of six frigates for the Turkish navy after Ankara rejected the remaining contender BAE Systems’ proposal.

The project, however, may still not be awarded to Lockheed Martin if an agreement cannot be reached on the technical aspects of missile integration. Such an eventuality would cause the project to be shelved and then reshaped.

The long-delayed project envisions the TF-2000 frigate as a regional anti-air warfare vessel that would respond to aerial threats and also provide support functions such as command control, communication, reconnaissance and early warning. It would be bigger, heavier and more efficient in terms of war capacity than the vessels the navy has today.

The Defense Ministry last month sent a letter informing their British counterparts that Turkey was “no longer interested” in BAE Systems’ offer, an official familiar with the tender told the Hürriyet Daily News.

BAE is currently working on a new type of frigate, Type 26, which is internationally known as the Global Combat Ship (GCS). “BAE has already started the project. It was late to join. Our needs would have increased the cost. Or we would have had to review our requirements in accordance with the British Navy, but our requirements are different. BAE had also asked for a ‘license fee.’ The partnership offer would have become a model in which Turkey was financing BAE’s project,” the source told the Daily News.

But I think it is also to early for LM to pop-up champagne and to start partying.

Turkey’s defense procurement agency, the Undersecretary of Defense Industries (SSM), has come close to formally selecting Lockheed Martin, but it needs to hear the Turkish Navy’s decision on the choice of missile systems, which is the most critical part of the project. The ship will be designed according to the missile systems, because of their enormous weight.

Selecting the Lockheed SM2 missile system would simplify everything, as it is not heavy. The SM3 system would mean more negotiations on many aspects. It has a wider range, which means that the system would overlap with some of the Air Forces’ air defense duty. Missile integration is another subject to be solved.

Lockheed uses AN/SPY1 radar, while Turkish company Aselsan has started working on a smaller system called Multifunctional Phased Array Radar project (ÇAFRAD). Lockheed Martin has a Ship Integrated War Administration System called Aegis, which includes the AN/SPY1 radar, but Turkish Havelsan has already manufactured a smaller version called Genesis. Turkey wants ÇAFRAD to be inserted into AN/SPY1, Genesis to replace Aegis, and this combination to be integrated with the SM3 system.

If the two sides fail to resolve the missile integration question, then a second option will be considered. Turkey has successfully manufactured a corvette under the so-called Milgem project.

Milgem would be re-designed to manufacture a light frigate for air defense warfare and would be named TF100. “We have to develop something based on Milgem or we will waste all our know-how,” an industry source said.

I must add the following point for clarity: The formal acquisition process for TF-2000 has not started yet. According to the web site of  Undersecretary of Defense Industries ” The feasibility studies for the TF-2000 project are completed. The model of the project will be created after the examination of feasibility studies”.  The official start of the TF-2000 project  is at least a couple of years even may be one decade away, dependimg on the avaliable budget.

Turkey said “Thanks, but no thanks” to BAE becuase of obvious and in my personal view from right reasons. But creating a new ship from scratch with a mixture of divers and sophisticated US and Turkish sensors, management software and weapons is a daunting task for every project manager.

For further reading:
The Battle For The TF-2000 Project Has Started
BAE Systems, Global Combat Ship And Turkey (Part 1)
My Impressions From 4.Naval Systems Seminar
IDEF’11 Update Part 2: Companies
IDEF’11 Update Part 1: Ongoing Naval Projects
UK – Turkey: Naval Industry Inward Mission (Part 2)

Phoenix Express 2012, a multi-national at-sea maritime exercise designed to help increase maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea and to improve cooperation among participating nations of Algeria, Canada, Croatia, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey and the United States.

Turkey is participation in PE12 with Gabya class frigate F-493 TCG Gelibolu and a naval infantry detachment.

On the other hand there has been no official statement either From Turkish General Staff or Turkish Naval Forces about the Turkish naval exercise Beyaz Fırtına 2012. Thus the below list of participating ships is gathered from various local and national news papers, web portals and is not complete. There is also no concrete information about the duration of the exercise.

TCG Giresun’s helicopter hovering over the dhow.

According to a statement from Turkish General Staff, F-491 TCG Giresun boarded a Yemeni fishing vessel on the morning of 11th May 2012.

TCG Giresun a Gabya class frigate, is the Turkish contribution to NATO’s SNMG-2 task force. This tack force is commanded by Read Admiral Sinan Tosun. SNMG-2 is currently acting as NATO’s anti piracy task force TF-508.

The S-70B Seahawk helicopter attached to TCG Giresun spotted the dhow at 14:50, 190 nautical miles off the coast of Yemen. The dhow acting as a mother ship was stopped by the helicopter and TCG Giresunarrived at the dhow and the naval special forces team boarded the dhow at 17:00. 14 Somali pirates were arrested and 7 Yemeni fisherman, the original crew of the dhow were freed by naval commandos.

Sized equipment and weapons

Nine AK-47 infantry rifles, one RPG-7 rocket launcher, three RPG-7 warheads, ammunition and materials associated with piracy such as ladders, extra fuel barrels, spare engine, GPS devices and mobile phones were seized.

As the commanding officer of the task force is already on the board of the TCG Giresun, I guess the communication and forwarding of the orders happened in a fast and smooth way.

Click herefor the official statement of Turkish General Staff.

Naval commandos boarding the dhow

Rear Admiral Sinan Azmi TOSUN (left), Commander of the NATO Counter Piracy Mission Operation Ocean Shield, with his Chinese counterpart Rear Admiral LI Shihong. Photo: Official NATO Photo

This must be the NATO-effect. Usually Turkish officers are not that much talkative to the press.

This is the second time within this month that Read Admiral  Sinan Azmi Tosun, Commander SNMG2 talks to international press.

Mr. Guy Toremans from Jane’s Naval International interviewed Rear Admiral Sinan Azmi Tosun on piracy.

As the original article is behind a paywall, I am just quoting bits of it that I have found most interesting.

…The most commonly used information-sharing platform among all players are the Mercury system, managed by the MSCHOA, and the NATO-wide network. In addition, units of the ‘Big Three’ task forces – NATO’s CTF 508, EU Naval Force (NAVFOR) Somalia and CTF 151 – the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and the Republic of Korea Navy also use the Centrix secure communication system, which is managed by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) US Central Command (CENTCOM) in Bahrain.

 ”Yet despite all these means of communication systems, we notice that some players do not use these means effectively and in a timely fashion, in particular when it comes to getting across classified information,” said Rear Adm Tosun.

…

“Due to the economic situation, most of the navies are under pressure because their governments have to find a balance between funding and ongoing commitments. This reflects in the force flow. So occasionally we face a shortage of units or see ships participating for only short periods which, to a certain degree, breaks up the continuity of our operations. The major challenge faced by NATO’s standing maritime forces may be that the alliance members could become reluctant to assign units to the task forces on a regular basis and this could possibly result in the shortage of units.

Rear Adm Tosun hopes to see more maritime patrol aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles being assigned to counter-piracy operations as these assets are essential to locate and track pirate action groups at sea. “Another nice thing to have would be an organic fleet oiler, preferably with a shipborne helicopter and a special operations forces team embarked and equipped with a Role 2 medical capability,” he said.

…

Having been identified by naval units, pirates generally attempt to flee to the territorial waters of nearby countries to hide among fishing vessels, where they know that naval forces are not authorised to operate. As such, the provision of support for local coastguards and navies, through regional maritime capacity building (RMCB) activities, is essential, as it is otherwise impossible to neutralise pirates, added Rear Adm Tosun. To this end, NATO has established contacts with regional authorities to identify potential areas of practical co-operation. Rear Adm Tosun pointed out that every opportunity is taken to exercise with local navies and coast guards.

…

Although the international maritime forces have succeeded in reducing the number of successful attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin, Rear Adm Tosun accepts that this addresses only a symptom and not the cause.

“Piracy can never be solved at sea; the final solution lies ashore,” he said. “The problem is that people become pirates because they see it as the only option to make their living. Therefore the international community should support Somalia to persuade young Somalis against setting out on these criminal activities and try to provide them with a good future by creating new employment areas.”

This is how I am interpreting what the Rear Admiral is saying is:

1) We need more commitment of necessary forces from our allies to police the seas infected with pirates.

2) We need the right tools for this job. Air assets can cover large parts of the ocean in a relative short time and arrive at  a ship under attack. Many times, the timely arrival of a  helicopter from a nearby warship prevented the pirates to high jack the merchant ship. Manned or unmanned air patrol systems are needed to obtain the over maritime picture.

3) We need large supply ships to act as a floating base to refuel warships and to carry special forces and medical teams needed when things go bad.

4) We need to build maritime cooperation along the nations in the region and help them to work together. NATO has a know-how over 60 years how different nations should together towards a common defense problem. The lessons learned by NATO countries during the last 60 years can be shared with the nations in Indian Ocean so that can work together against pirates.

5) We need to solve the piracy problem on the shore!

I think they are all valuable points and it would be a shame for everyone to ignore them.

Ukrainian naval ensign raised on Zaporizya. Photo: Official Ukraine Armed Forces

I was slow to follow this event but it is important.

Between 23 and 27 April 2012, the sole Ukrainian submarine Zaporizya conducted a series of test in the Black Sea. This is the first time that the 42 year old submarine sailed alone since 1992.

The Foxtrot (Project 641) class Zaporizya is the only submarine in Ukrainian inventory. She her large scaled overhaul started in February 2010. The aim of Ukrainian Navy was to have her ready for duty by the end of May 2011.

According to Jane’s Fighting Ships , Zaporizya has maximum speeds of 16 kt surfaced and 15 kt dived, with a range of 20,000 n miles at 8 kt surfaced and 380 n miles at 2 kt dived.

Although the age and the condition of the submarine will restrict her operations below water considerably without any doubt this trials mark a very important step for the Ukrainian Navy as they have regained their submarine force back. I must say that I envy the courage of the crew of the boat.

Today, April 27, after successfully conducted in the Black Sea the first phase of sea trials to return submarine Sevastopol Naval Forces of Ukraine “Kiev”.

At 15.20 pryshvartuvalasya submarine to berth wall of the 13th shipyard Black Sea fleet.

The crew of the submarine “Zaporizhia” personally met the Commander of Naval Forces Admiral Viktor Maksimov Ukraine. Chairman of the host committee captain 1st rank Roman sleek submarine commander Captain 2nd rank Robert Shaheyev commander reported the successful completion of the campaign.

Commander of Naval Forces Admiral Viktor Maksimov Ukraine by telephone reported the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Dmytro Salamatin the successful completion of the first phase of sea trials and mooring berth at the factory.

Head of the Ministry of Defence Dmitry Salamatin greeted the crew of the submarine “Zaporizhia” the successful performance of assigned tasks and return to Sevastopol.

Ship for the first time since 1993 on April 25 went to sea with its own power plant. For three days the crew submarine was tested in a complex work of power plant at different running modes and performance equipment and technology.Members of the combat units together with experts sudnoremontnykamy-tested health equipment and various tools.

In particular, in the electromechanical part of the battle were determined allowable load on the main diesel engine, with dimensions appropriate parameters at different frequencies of rotation of the crankshaft and the line shaft. Reliable feeding device horizontal and vertical steering wheels steering, tested hydraulic and air system pressure.

In addition, by controlling the verification capacity of the battery when running motors at full power in the above-water position, and also tested other systems and mechanisms.

During sea trials are carefully checked the reliability of communications, radar, search, sonar equipment and mate.

Overall, during sea trials the boat was about 135 nautical miles in the above-water position.

It should be stressed that the test took place in view of strict control in terms of security, the deployment of all necessary protective systems and equipment.

The reactivation of the submarine creates a new dilemma for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Keeping the 41 year old submarine with a very limited remaining service life, will be very difficult and expensive, draining valuable resources needed for other naval projects. On the other hand scrapping the sole submarine of the navy after so much public attention will not be a good political move.

I think the words of the Ukrainian Defense Minister Dmytro Salamatin sums the situation nicely: I wish you, to the number of dives always coincided with the number rises to the surface “