US, Taiwan Move Forward on New Torpedoes

Wendell Minnick, Defense News
8 September 2016

TAIPEI, Taiwan — The United States is set to approve the sale of Mk-48 heavyweight torpedoes for Taiwan after many years of delay, said a Taiwan Ministry of National Defense (MND) official. 
The Advanced Capability torpedo will be outfitted on Taiwan’s two remaining combat attack submarines after they undergo a life extension program  upgrade. 
Taiwan procured two Dutch-built Sea Dragon-class (Zwaardvis Mk 2) submarines  in the late 1980s. The recent $200 million procurement of  32 UGM-84L Sub-launched Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles will also give the Dutch-built submarines a bigger punch.
Taiwan is also moving forward with the Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) program to build eight attack submarines. With a total of ten attack submarines armed with Mk-48 torpedoes and additional UGM-84L Harpoons, China will hesitate to invade Taiwan, according to the MND source.   

‘A Step Forward in Submarine Radar Technology’

Eric Haun, MarineLink.com
7 September 2016

Kelvin Hughes, a U.K. baesd designer and supplier of navigation and security surveillance systems, announced that it can now bring all the benefits of its SharpEye radar technology to submarines.
Traditionally, submarines only use radar for navigation in and out of port because a high power RF transmission can compromise its ability to remain undetected. However, with its low power output – up to 300W as opposed to the 25kW of legacy submarine radar systems – SharpEye can reduce the probability of detection by ESM systems.
Due to the solid state technology at the heart of SharpEye, it is now possible to locate the X-band transceiver downmast within the pressure hull, making use of the existing bulkhead infrastructure and the existing external antenna, rotational drive and waveguide connections. The downmast transceiver enclosure measures 743 x 487 x 330mm.
Moreover, the Doppler processing of the radar returns, means it can detect more targets, earlier and at a longer range. Delivering improvements in sub-clutter visibility of approximately 30dB, SharpEye can identify targets with a low Radar Cross Section (RCS), typically 0.5m2, even in adverse weather conditions. A series of electronic filters enables SharpEye to distinguish between targets of interest and sea and rain clutter.
With its patented pulse sequence, SharpEye enables multiple users to see the optimum picture simultaneously regardless of the radar range scale in use at each display.
Mark Bown, Kelvin Hughes’ Group Marketing Manager, commented, “Kelvin Hughes has a long history of supplying naval radar and 27 of the world’s navies are currently operating SharpEye systems. We’re delighted that we have been able to take this major step forward in submarine radar technology, ensuring submarines can now operate with a truly multipurpose naval radar system, covering navigation, surface search and bi-directional links to combat management systems.”

Canadian Navy Subs Need Upgrades To Extend Service

Lee Berthiaume, The Canadian Press
7 September 2016

OTTAWA — The navy's submarine fleet will have to be cut adrift in the next few years unless the federal government opts to spend billions to upgrade the ships, according to internal Defence Department documents. 
The documents show that the first submarine, HMCS Victoria, is scheduled to reach its end of service life in 2022. The other three vessels will follow until the last, HMCS Windsor, retires in 2027. 
The documents, released to The Canadian Press through the Access to Information Act, peg the cost of extending the lives of the submarines at between $1.5 billion and $3 billion, depending on how long the vessels would remain in service and what technical upgrades would be made. They don't specify when a decision needs to be made, but work needs to begin by 2020 to prevent a gap. 
Military officials have recently praised the submarines. Royal Canadian Navy commander Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd described the vessels in June as "essential" to the navy's ability to protect the country and help NATO, an assessment that was echoed by defence chief Gen. Jonathan Vance. 
"As Canadians, I think we want to know who's operating on, above and below our water from a sovereignty perspective," Lloyd said. "The one strategic asset that allows you to understand what's operating below the water is a submarine. Nothing else can replace that." 
But any investment is likely to stoke controversy. The submarines have been plagued by technical problems since they were bought used from the United Kingdom in 1998 for what the Chretien government described as a bargain $750 million. 
While naval officials say they have managed to fix many of the problems and have started using the submarines in earnest, two were docked early this year over concerns about shoddy welding that prevented them from diving. Another had to be repaired after breaking down en route to a training exercise in Norway in June. 
At the same time, the government is preparing to shell out billions for new fighter jets while the army has been clamouring for cash for new light and heavy trucks. Half of its current truck fleet has been parked because of age and maintenance costs. 
The navy is also waiting to see how much money it will get from the government for new surface warships, which are slated for construction at the same time the submarine life extension would take place. The budget was previously set at $26 billion for up to 15 vessels, but recent estimates have put the cost much higher. 
Retired commodore Eric Lerhe, a senior fellow at Dalhousie University, says the navy has been trying to start a conversation about buying new submarines for some time. However, any purchase would take at least a decade, which is why a life extension to the existing fleet is considered necessary. 
The document says that depending on the amount of work done, an extension could extend the lives of the submarines by between six and 18 years. 
The Liberal government is currently developing a new defence policy, which will spell out what jobs the military will be expected to perform. That will have direct bearing on the types of equipment purchased in the coming years. 
Lerhe acknowledged the current submarine fleet has had its teething problems. But he said actions by Russia and China plus the growing importance of the Arctic and the fact Canada has one of the longest coastlines in the world makes them essential. And he argued the estimated cost of the upgrades isn't astronomical. 
"What's it going to cost to send peacekeepers to Mali?" he said. "In Afghanistan, the cost was $2 billion per year."

Russia Orders More Submarines, Corvettes

Staff, The Maritime Executive
8 September 2016

The Russian Deputy Defence Minister Yury Borisov has signed 17 public contracts with a value over 130 billion rubles during the International military and technical forum Army-2016.
The contracts include orders for six diesel-electric Varshavyanka submarines and three small Buyan-M missile ships (corvettes). In addition, over 230 pieces of military hardware will be modernized with contracts for deliveries of munitions, repair parts, tools and other equipment as well as research and development projects.
The submarines will be built at St. Petersburg-based Admiralty Shipyard and construction is expected to start in 2018 with two delivered in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
The submarines were developed by the Rubin Central Design Bureau. They are designed for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface-ship warfare and for general reconnaissance and patrol missions. They are considered to be to be one of the quietest diesel submarines in the world and reputed to be capable of detecting an enemy submarine at a range three to four times greater than it can be detected itself.
There are already four submarines of this type in Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. The first, the Novorossiysk, was delivered to the Russian Navy in August 2014. The second submarine, the Rostov-on-Don, was delivered in December 2014, and in 2015, it launched Kalibr cruise missiles to destroy Islamic State targets from a position in the Mediterranean Sea. 
A further two submarines are already under construction and expected to enter service this year.
The number of missile ships to be delivered under this contract was not specified. Buyan Class is a river-sea type corvette designed by Zelenodolsk Design Bureau. 
The 62-meter (203-foot) vessels have a displacement of about 950 tons and are capable of speeds of up to 25 knots. They are equipped with a Kalibr missile system, a 100mm A-190 gun mount, Gibka launchers for Igla anti-aircraft missiles and an AK-630-2 Duet air defense gun system. They can operate at up to sea state six and can employ weapons at up to sea state four. At present, there are five such ships in service.

Chilean Navy sub arrives in San Diego for CHILEMAR VI

MC2 Derek Harkins, Navy.mil
7 September 2016

SAN DIEGO (NNS) – The Chilean Navy diesel-electric submarine SS Thomson (SS 20) arrived at Naval Base Point Loma on Sept. 6 to participate in the bi-lateral exercise CHILEMAR VI.
CHILEMAR is designed to demonstrate interoperability between U.S. submarine rescue systems and Chilean submarines, including a simulated submarine rescue operation, and to promote greater understanding and cooperation between the two nations.
Cmdr. John Croghan, senior deputy, Commander, Submarine Squadron 11 (CSS-11), greeted Chilean Navy Cmdr. Oscar Manzano, the commanding officer of Thomson, on the pier upon the ship's arrival.
Manzano, a staff and submarine warfare officer, holds a professional degree in weapons engineering with a major in submarines and a Master of Science in naval and maritime sciences. With more than 10 years of seagoing experience, he has navigated more than 15,000 miles submerged aboard Thomson.
"I am very pleased and excited to work with the U.S. Navy," said Manzano. "My crew and I are blessed to have the opportunity to come to San Diego and work with your fine Sailors. We are ready to get started."
During this iteration of CHILEMAR, Undersea Rescue Command (URC), assigned to CSS-11, plans to conduct a full scale submarine rescue exercise with Thomson. URC intends to utilize divers donning atmospheric diving suits (ADS) along with a pressurized rescue module (PRM). The PRM is a submarine rescue chamber that submerges to the submarine on the ocean floor and seals over its hatch to conduct a personnel transfer.
"I'm pleased we have been able to add submarine rescue as an additional capability on top of those we already get through the DESI initiative," said Croghan.
CHILEMAR supports the Diesel-Electric Submarine Initiative (DESI). DESI enhances the Navy's capability to operate with diesel-electric submarines by partnering with South American navies equipped with these vessels. This provides a degree of authenticity and realism to exercises, providing the Navy with opportunities to build experience both tracking and operating with them. The program strengthens partnerships and encourages cooperation between partner nations, furthering the capabilities of U.S. maritime strategy.
"Submarine rescue operations involve very challenging procedures, and they require consistent training to maintain proficiency," said Croghan. "Our ability to cooperate with our partner nations during such a technical evolution will ensure that, in the unlikely event of an actual submarine emergency, we will be operationally prepared."
URC has the only U.S. based deep ocean submarine rescue capability and is trained to respond to submarine emergencies around the world.

U.N. Security Council threatens N. Korea over missile tests

Edith M. Lederer, The Associated Press
6 September 2016

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council on Tuesday strongly condemned North Korea's latest ballistic missile launches and threatened "further significant measures" if it refuses to stop its nuclear and missile tests. 
The U.N.'s most powerful body agreed to the statement hours after a closed-door emergency meeting called by the United States, Japan and South Korea in response to North Korea's firing of three missiles Monday that traveled about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) and landed near Japan. 
The council gave no indication of what "further significant measures" it might take if North Korea continues conducting tests and trying to enhance its nuclear capabilities. 
The U.S., Japan and South Korea made clear after the council meeting that they want further action, but also didn't specify what.
The press statement urged all U.N. member states "to redouble their efforts" to implement sanctions against Pyongyang, including the toughest measures in two decades imposed by the council in March. Those sanctions reflected growing anger at Pyongyang's nuclear test in January and a subsequent rocket launch. 
The council expressed serious concern that North Korea carried out the latest launches "in flagrant disregard" of its demands. 
North Korea has repeatedly flouted Security Council resolutions demanding an end to its nuclear and ballistic missile activities and has continued to launch missiles, escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. 
It already has a variety of land-based missiles that can hit South Korea and Japan, including U.S. military bases in those countries. Last month, it successfully tested a submarine-launched missile and development of those missiles would add a weapon that is harder to detect before launch.
U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power told reporters after Tuesday's meeting that "the Security Council must remain unequivocal and united in condemnation of these tests and we must take action to enforce the words we put on paper — to enforce our resolutions." 
President Barack Obama signaled at a meeting of Southeast Asian leaders in Laos that the U.S. would redouble its effort to choke off North Korea's access to international currency and technology by tightening loopholes in the current sanctions regime. 
North Korea launched the missiles while China was hosting the Group of 20 economic summit, Power said. This once again showed the North's "blatant disregard" for U.N. sanctions and its international obligations "and its willingness to provoke and to threaten the international community with impunity," she said. 
Power said North Korea has carried out 22 missile launches so far this year, and the latest hit "within 300 kilometers of Japan's coast."
With each test, she said, the North demonstrates further advancement of its ballistic missile program whose
aim according to the country's leader Kim Jong Un is "to arm the systems with nuclear weapons." 
Japan's U.N. Ambassador Koro Bessho said he was encouraged that in Tuesday's council meeting "there was much stronger show of unity" than in past discussions. 
The tests not only threaten Japan's national security but the region and beyond, he said, stressing that the missiles were launched without any prior notification and could have hit planes or ships. 
Bessho said Japan wants the council to consider further actions it can take "in unanimity, in unity, in bringing about change in North Korea's behavior."
South Korea's deputy U.N. ambassador Hahn Choong Hee said the international community should be united in sending a "clear and unequivocal message to North Korea that if they continue to provoke and violate their international commitments and sanctions, they will face much stronger and insurmountable and significant counter-measures from the international community." 
What action the council takes remains to be seen and a lot depends on China, the North's neighbor and only major ally, though ties have frayed over the nuclear and missile tests and what many outsiders see as other provocations in recent years. 
China's U.N. Ambassador Liu Jieyi, apparently annoyed that the latest missiles were fired during the G20, told reporters as he left the meeting that the council would work on a press statement. But he didn't mention any further council action. 
Power said "there were very strong and numerous voices in the room for doing more" than another condemnation. 
"So without getting ahead of the council we were also interested in increasing the consequences after this pattern of using these launches to advance the capabilities of the program," she said. 
North Korea is banned from importing or exporting nuclear or missile items and technology as well as luxury goods and the March resolution expanded the list of banned items. It requires countries to freeze the assets of companies linked to the North's nuclear and missile programs. 
The March sanctions, among other things, also require mandatory inspections of cargo leaving and entering North Korea by land, sea or air; a ban on all sales or transfers of small arms and light weapons to Pyongyang; and expulsion of diplomats from the North who engage in "illicit activities."

World War II Submarine Found Near Denmark

Steward Bale, Archaeological
6 September 2016

ROSKILDE, DENMARK—The Guardian reports that a team led by museum owner Gert Normann Andersen and marine archaeologist Innes McCartney have found the wreckage of the HMS Tarpon, a Royal Navy T-class submarine sunk in 1940 by a heavily armed German merchant vessel, the Schiff 40. German naval records indicate that the Tarpon fired twice, and that both torpedoes missed the merchant vessel, which had been suspected of carrying arms to occupied Norway. The records also indicate that the German ship used sonar to find the Tarpon and dropped several depth charges on it. Divers found the Tarpon standing almost upright on the seabed off the coast of Denmark. “The damage was so severe behind the conning tower it would have flooded in seconds,” McCartney said. The glass in the submarine’s periscope had been shattered, and some of its hatches were open. Two of the submarine’s torpedo tubes were empty. McCartney explained that 57 British submarines were lost during the war. “The question for the Ministry of Defense is how to protect them from threats including fishing trawlers and illegal metal reclaimers,” he said. “After all, they are the tombs of British sailors.”