AUSTRALIA
HMAS Darwin is an Adelaide-class guided missile frigate of the Royal Australian Navy. A long-range escort frigate that undertakes operations including area air defence, anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction, this ship is capable of countering simultaneous threats from the air, surface and sub-surface. Darwin’s
principal weapons are the standard medium-range anti-aircraft missile and Harpoon anti-ship missile, both of which are launched from the Mk 13 launcher on the forecastle. A 76 mm gun to counter both aerial and surface threats is fitted forward of the funnel and one 20 mm Phalanx close-in-weapon system for anti-missile defence is located above the helicopter hangars. The ship is capable of stowing and operating two Sea Hawk S-70B helicopters.
BANGLADESH
BNS Somudra Joy, a modified Hamilton-class ship, is one of the largest frigates of the Bangladesh Navy. The ship was acquired from the USA and was commissioned on 23 December 2013. The ship has participated in various multinational exercises like Exercise Ferocious Falcon 2015 held at Qatar, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2015 with United States Navy, amongst others. Bangladesh Navy plans to further upgrade the vessel’s combat capability with the installation of modern C-802A SSM, FL-3000 or FM-90N SAM, Whitehead torpedoes and the AW-109ZN or Z-9C ASW helicopter onboard, consequent to which the ship will be one of the most powerful frigates of the Bangladesh Navy.
BRAZIL
The Amazonas class of ships in service with the Brazilian Navy is a 90-metre long Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) displacing 1,900 tons. The ship is equipped with a 30 mm canon, two 25 mm guns and a helicopter flight deck. The Amazonas is designed to perform a range of tasks which include Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) management, special operations, maritime law enforcement as well as support humanitarian and search and rescue operations. Besides her integral crew, the Amazonas can also carry an additional forty people.
CHINA
PLA N Liuzhou and PLA N Sanya are Type 054A (Jiangkai II) multi-role frigates in service with the PLA Navy. They were commissioned in 2012 and 2013 respectively. The ships are equipped with HQ-16 medium-range air defence missiles, anti-submarine rockets in a VLS system, two Type 730 CIWS and H/PJ26 76 mm dual purpose gun mount in addition to a plethora of sensors and processing systems. They are also capable of operating and stowing either a Kamov-28 or a Harbin Z-9C helicopter.
FRANCE
FREMM (Frégate Européenne Multi-Mission) Provence is an Aquitaine class multi-mission frigate of the French Navy. The 140-metre long and 20-metre wide frigate has a displacement of 6,000 tons and is capable of accommodating 108 officers and crew. Equipped with hi-tech sensors and weapons, and integrated with SETIS, the latest generation combat system developed by DCNS, France, the frigate can counter all types of threats, be it air, surface, submarine or land based. The heavily armed FREMM is equipped with the most effective weapon systems
and equipment, such as the SCALP naval cruise missiles, Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles, Aster anti-aircraft missiles, and MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes. The ship is capable of operating the NH90 multi-role helicopter.
INDONESIA
KRI Usman Harun is a multi-role light frigate of the Indonesian Navy built by the British firm, BAE Systems. It is equipped with various sensors which include navigation radar, surveillance radar and weapon detecting radar. The weapon sensor system is also equipped with an Electro Optical Tracker system (EOTs) and a sonar system to assist in Search and Rescue (SAR) missions. The vessel is armed with one Oto Melara 76/62 Super Rapid gun, two MSI-Defence 30 mm guns, and two 324 mm triple-tube torpedo launchers. The ship is also capable of operating a helicopter.
IRAN
The Alvand class (also referred to as the Sa’am class) is similar in characteristics to the British-built Vosper Thornycroft, a 1,100-ton displacement frigate in Iranian service. The ship has a crew of 145 personnel. The Alvand is equipped with the potent C-802 cruise missile system, 4.5”, 35 mm and 20 mm guns, two triple torpedo tubes and a Limbo ASW mortar. The ship is capable of propelling at a maximum speed of 39 knots with a range of 5,000 Nm. In 2001, Alvand participated in the Indian Navy’s International Fleet Review held at Mumbai. The ship is capable of undertaking a wide array of maritime operations.
JAPAN
JS Matsuyuki is a guided missile destroyer serving with the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF). Displacing over 3,000 tons, it can propel at a maximum speed of 30 knots. Its primary role is antisubmarine warfare. The ship is armed with the Sea Sparrow improved basic point defence missile system, the Harpoon surface-to-surface missile system, a Phalanx CIWS and an octuple tube anti-submarine rocket launcher. It has a towed sonar array and can operate the Sikorsky HSS-2B Sea King anti-submarine helicopter.
MALAYSIA
KD Lekir is a Kasturi-class corvette of the Royal Malaysian Navy commissioned in 1984. The ship is part of the Malaysian Navy’s 22nd Corvette Squadron. With a length overall of 97.3 m and displacement of 1,850 tons, Lekir is equipped with a Bofors 57 mm main gun, two 30 mm AA guns, eight Exocet MM40 Block II missiles and two 324 mm triple torpedo tubes. The ship is fitted with an upgraded electronics and sensor suite which includes a Combat Management System, ESM suite, weapon directors, search radar and hull-mounted sonar. Lekir also has a helo deck and is capable of staging through either the Super Lynx 300 or the Fennec helicopter.
MALDIVES
MCGS Huravee is symbolic of the fraternal ties of friendship between India and the Maldives. After five years of distinguished service in the Indian Navy, INS Tillanchang was transferred and commissioned into the MNDF Coast Guard as Huravee in 2006. The 260-ton Fast Attack Craft is fitted with state-of-the-art navigation aids, communication and GMDSS Systems, which facilitate her role-worthiness and effectiveness in operational missions, air operations, safe navigation and survival at sea. The ship’s primary roles are patrolling, policing, and search and rescue missions in the vast areas of sea around the Maldivian chain of islands, considerably enhancing their surveillance capability against illegal poaching and drug trafficking.
MAURITIUS
Mauritius Coast Guard Ship (MCGS) Barracuda is a multi-mission capable OPV operated by the National Coast Guard of Mauritius. The ship has been constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata, India and was jointly commissioned by the Prime Ministers of Mauritius and India, at Port Louis, on 12 March 2015. The ship is fitted with armament that makes it fully capable of undertaking missions against illegal fishing, smuggling, piracy and carrying out EEZ surveillance. MCGS Barracuda has been equipped with pollution response gear to deal with any environmental contingencies at sea and external fire-fighting arrangements to assist other vessels in distress. The ship enables Mauritius in protecting and supporting its outer island territories, located more than 600 Nm away from the African mainland.
MYANMAR
UMS King Aung Zeya is the first of the 2,500 ton Aung Zeya class of frigates operated by the Myanmar navy. The lead ship of the class is named after Aung Zeya (Alaungpaya), the founder of Myanmar’s Konbaung Dynasty. The ship is equipped with eight YJ-62 SSMs, one Oto Melara 76 mm main gun, four 30 mm AK 630 AA guns with associated sensors which include a radar and sonar. The ship has a helo deck and can stage through medium helicopters. This ship is capable of undertaking a wide array of maritime operations both coastal and on the high seas.
NIGERIA
NNS Centenary is an OPV in service with the Nigerian Navy. The ship was built by the China Ship Building and Offshore International Shipyard and commissioned in 2014. The ship has a maximum speed of 21 knots and displaces 1,800 tons at full load. The ship is equipped with a sophisticated weapon, electronic warfare and surveillance sensor package. The ship is capable of operating one medium helicopter and her roles include maritime surveillance, EEZ patrol and defence of offshore resources/ infrastructure as well as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. The ship is also capable of recovering oil spills and combat infernos.
OMAN
RNOV Al Shamikh is a patrol corvette with stealth features in service with the Royal Navy of Oman. The ship was commissioned in 2013 and is equipped with one 76 mm Oto Melara main gun, two 30 mm cannons, eight Exocet SSMs and twelve vertically launched Mica SAMs with associated sensors and processing systems. The ship carries an integral Super Lynx helicopter. RNOV Al Seeb is a Vosper 25-class coastal patrol craft commissioned in 1981. The ship has an Oerlikon 20 mm cannon and is also equipped with survey equipment.
SEYCHELLES
SCGS Topaz is a fast patrol craft in service with the Seychelles Coast Guard. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, India, the ship was earlier in service with the Indian Navy as INS Tarmugli and was delivered to Seychelles in 2005. Topaz has a maximum speed of 30 knots and is fitted with a 30 mm gun for anti-piracy operations. The ship plays an important role in safeguarding the country’s economic zones and resources by undertaking missions towards prevention of illegal activities such as unlicenced fishing, piracy, drug trafficking and maritime terrorism in the 1.4 million-sq km EEZ of Seychelles and its island territories.
SOUTH AFRICA
SAS Spioenkop is the third of the four Valour-class frigates of the South African Navy built by the European South African Corvette Consortium. The ship is equipped with an assortment of multipurpose weapons, each suitable for anti-surface, anti-aircraft and antisubmarine warfare. The ships’ primary anti-surface armament is its Block 2 Exocet anti-ship missile. For closer surface threats Spioenkop has an OTO Melara 76 mm main gun. The ship is also equipped with twin Denel dual-purpose guns, two Oerlikon cannons and two Rogue remotely operated guns. For anti-aircraft and missile defence the ship is equipped with a 16 to 32 cell VLS. The ship also has four torpedo tubes, which can be utilised to engage submarines. The ship is capable of operating two Super Lynx helicopters.
SRI LANKA
Built at Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam, India, SLNS Sayura was formerly INS Saryu, a Sukanya-class OPV of the Indian Navy, and was transferred to Sri Lanka in 2000. The ship was upgraded with new armament in India before being delivered to the Sri Lanka Navy. Sayura is tasked with deep-sea patrolling both within the Sri Lankan territorial waters and in international waters to curb piracy and arms smuggling. Capable of a maximum speed of 21 knots, the ship is fitted with a 40/ 60 Bofors anti-aircraft gun and is capable of operating a light helicopter.
THAILAND
HTMS Saiburi is a Chao Phraya-class guided missile frigate in service with the Royal Thai Navy. Constructed in China, the ship was commissioned in 1992. Armed with surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, the ship is capable of a maximum speed of 30 knots. The ship can operate a Bell 212 helicopter. Saiburi is primarily involved in patrolling duties with the Coast Guard and training of Royal Thai Navy sailors and officers. Saiburi plays an important role in safeguarding the country’s economic zones and resources by undertaking missions towards prevention of illegal activities such as unlicenced fishing, piracy, drug trafficking and maritime terrorism.
UK
HMS Defender is the fifth of the Type 45 Daring-class air defence destroyers built for the Royal Navy. The ship is primarily designed for anti-air warfare with the capability of defence against sophisticated targets such as fighter aircraft, drones as well as highly manoeuvrable sea skimming anti-ship missiles travelling at supersonic speeds.
Defender is equipped with the sophisticated Sea Viper (PAAMS) air defence system utilising the SAMPSON active electronically scanned array multi-function radar and the S1850M long-range radar. The ship is equipped with a forty-eight-cell A50 Sylver Vertical Launching System allowing for a mix of up to forty-eight Aster 15 and thirty surface-to-air missiles. The ship is capable of operating Lynx/ Merlin helicopters.
USA
USS Antietam is a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser of the United States Navy. Antietam was named for the site of the 1862 Battle of Antietam, Maryland during the American Civil War. The ship was built by the Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation at Pascagoula, Mississippi and commissioned on 06 June 1987. USS Antietam earned the 2007 and 2008 Battle Efficiency awards, also known as the Battle E Award, for the USS John C Stennis Strike Group. With her guided missiles and rapidfire guns, the ship is capable of facing and defeating threats in the air, on the sea, on the shore, and even underwater. The ship also carries two Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk LAMPS helicopters, capable of multiple missions, but primarily equipped for anti-submarine warfare.