The European nation of Georgia should be ready to throat punch France for selling these ships to the Russians. They're about to have ships that are far more capable than anything they currently have in inventory and will be able to put that nation in danger of assault from the sea. Additionally with modifications for use in cold weather our friends in Northern Europe are also much exposed. Wow. If that wasn't bad enough, they're not only getting the hardware (the ship) but also software in the form of ships sensors....this is bad news. via Defesa.
French
shipbuilder DCNS is conducting the design modifications of the BPC
(Batiment de Projection et de Commandement) projection & command
ship procured by Russia.
The
first of two phases ended in April 2012 with the completion of the
preliminary design review while detailed design studies are scheduled
for completion in September 2012.
Russia’s
requirements include modifying the BPC design to accommodate locally
build Kamov Ka-25 naval helicopters and other Russian equipment. The
vessels also need to be modified to operate under extreme cold, with
higher electrical power availability to de-ice part of the flight deck.
All the user interfaces and onboard signage also need to be localised
into Russian. It is understood that the both ships will be fitted with
DCNS´ SENIT 9 combat management systems and Thales Nederland MRR-3DNG
multi-role radar system.
While
the design modifications are being finalised, construction of hull
blocks for the first of Russia’s two BPCs has begun at the STX France
shipyard in Saint Nazaire. The first hull block will be delivered in
September 2012 and laid down in early 2013.
Russia’s
shipbuilder OSK will participate in block construction for the two
vessels as a subcontractor to STX France, building twelve hull blocks
for the aft of the ships.
The
first vessel is scheduled for delivery to the Russian Navy in 2014
while the second will be delivered in 2015. The contract firmed in June
2011 between JSC Rosobornexport and DCNS calls for the delivery to
Russia of two 22,000 tonnes 199 metres long BPC based vessels along with
associated services including initial logistics, training, and
technology transfers.
The French Navy operates three BPC ships which comprise FS “Mistral”, FS “Tonnerre “and FS “Dixmude”.
IMO this is nothing short of treason against the NATO alliance and they should be removed from the alliance and all FMS and military cooperation to france suspended.
ReplyDeletealso we should demand from France every piece of hardware and software from that ship, from every line of code, to every button on the ships screen and if any of it is from a US firm we should demand the cancellation of the contract or suspension of allowing US firms to do business, i know this will never happen but should
ReplyDeletei agree but it got approved and no one hollered. there has to be more to this than meets the eye. maybe they're going to build in listening or monitoring devices...i don't know...but i do know that if I was a citizen of Georgia i'd be pissed beyond belief!
ReplyDelete