The Chinese are buying advanced Russian ASMs. The PRC is purchasing the Kh-35 Uran [AS-20 Kayak] for its Su-30 strike aircraft. It is purchasing the Kh-31 [AS-17 Krypton] for its JH-7. The plane will be able to carry both the radar homing and ARM version of the missile. It can carry 2 Kh-31 in place of the C801s listed in Annex B.
Also, although the R-27 [AA-10 Alamo] has always been carried on China’s Su-27SK, the missile has now been integrated with the J-8 II Finback B.
The Japanese Boeing E-767 AWACS is operational. Four aircraft have entered operational service, based at Hammamatsu. The first planes were delivered in 1998, but they have been in a two-year operational test.
Russia’s Tu-160 force is coming back to life. Eight aircraft were returned from the Ukraine last summer (the only ones flyable), and the six planes previously in inventory are receiving improved maintenance support. More significantly, four newly-built aircraft have joined the regiment, based at Engels, near Moscow. Russia would like to build the Blackjack regiment up to full strength (25 aircraft) by 2003, if funds are available.
The present inventory is 20 Tu-160s, 90 Tu-95MS Bear H, all part of the 37th Air Army. There are over 500 Kh-55 [AS-15 Kent] to arm them. Although their primary mission is strategic nuclear strike, if upgraded, the Tu-160s could carry conventional ASMs.
Russia will lease four Tu-22M Backfire bombers to India. Included in the deal, which was announced in February, will be Kh-22 [AS-4 Kitchen] ASMs. Although the START Treaty prevents Russian Backfires from carrying inflight refueling probes, this restriction does not apply to India. The USA considers the Backfire a strategic weapon, and is protesting its export to India.
South Korea is to build 3 Type 214 AIP-powered SSKs.
The UK MoD has ordered 6 Ro-Ro cargo ships to deploy the UK Joint Rapid Reaction Force. Procured by Private Finance Initiative - they are effectively commercial vessels on which the UK has first call. Four will be built in Flensburger, Germany, and two at Harland & Wolff, Belfast. Four ALSLs (in effect LSDs) have been ordered, two from Swan Hunter, Newcastle and two from BAe Systems Govan, Glasgow. They are based on the same design as the 16000-ton Dutch Rotterdam, with a 2-spot flight deck, but have no hangar and a small dock (1 LCU(10)).
An order for 3 more Astutes is being proposed for placing in 2003. The Sub-Harpoon replacement may be a FOG missile capable of land attack, precision ASuW (“Which hatch would you want the missile to go through, Sir?”), and AAW versus MPA and ASW helos, all from underwater launch. As a result of Kosovo, all UK Paveway LGBs are to be fitted with GPS guidance in addition to the existing SALH capability. The MoD is also ordering AGM-65G Maverick for the Harrier GR.7s
The AGM-158 JASSM, a 370-km 2250-lb missile, had its order size increased to 3700 weapons. A range of warheads will be available, including a penetrating warhead, blast/fragmentation, submunition dispenser and an "anti-biochemical munitions warhead" (a polite way of describing FAE?).
Having been refused Tomahawk, France is developing a version of SCALP/Stormshadow for use from VLS tubes on ships (using the PAAMS Slyver launcher) and submarines. This version will have a longer range than SCALP-EG, over 600 km. France has provided more details on their future fleet. Seventeen NG frigates will replace all 27 A69, F67 and F70 vessels. The Rubis SSNs will be replaced by 6 Barracuda SSNs and there will be two LHDs.
Algeria has ordered 24 Su-24M Fencer-D to complement the 12 Su-24M Fencer-D and 4 Su-24MR Fencer-E they already have.
The Italian NUM has been recast as a light carrier, costing 2.2 trillion lira. The 26,700 ton, 237m CVL will enter service in 2007. It will have COGAG propulsion with 4 LM-2500 capable of 28 knots on two shafts and 7000 nm at 16 kts. It will have two 16-cell Aster 15 silos, decoys (chaff, IR and anti-torpedo), three 25 mm guns and fitted for but not with two Super Rapid 76 mm. It will have a 12° ski jump, two lifts and a 134 x 21 m hangar, capable of storing 12 EH.101 or 8 AV-8B/JSF, or in a LPH role, up to 20 MBTs and up to 360 troops. The flight deck has 6 takeoff spots and space for parking additional aircraft - illustrations suggest 7 jets and 7 EH.101s. The sensors are RAN-40S air search, EMPAR 3D, SPS-791 surface search, EW from the Horizon DDG and a bow-mounted mine avoidance sonar. The crew is 1202.
The Italian/French Horizon DDG program has become more clear. Italy will have two, France two and maybe another two. In service date is 2006 for France and 2007 for Italy. Displacement is 6700 tons, length 151 m, propulsion is CODOG with 2 LM-2500 and 2 Pielstick diesels giving 29 knots. Crew of 200. It will have 8 SSMs. The 127 mm gun has gone and now there are 64 VLS cells (most are likely for Aster 15s). The French ship will have two 76mm Super Rapid guns and two NA-25 directors, whilst the Italian ship will have three guns and directors. The Italian guns are laid out one aft over hangar, two side by side in front of super structure and behind the VLS cells.
The Konigsberg NSM continues development. This is a low RCS, sea-skimming sub sonic missile using an advanced IIR seeker head to detect, classify and select targets in confined waters, with initial range of 150 km and options for 250 km range and a datalink.
Thanks to Stuart Machin
BT
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© Copyright 2001 by Larry Bond and Clash of Arms.
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