Algeria orders Chinese corvettes and German frigates - Hedley Brampson
The Algerian Ministry of Defence has ordered three large corvettes from China and two MEKO A-200 frigates - with an option for two more - from Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).
TKMS edged out rivals including France's DCNS, which was offering its FREMM design, to secure a frigate contract reportedly worth between EUR2.176 billion and EUR2.5 billion (USD2.86 billion and USD3.28 billion).
The deal also includes six AgustaWestland Super Lynx 300 helicopters optimised for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW), plus training and infrastructure/maintenance packages.
Meanwhile, IHS Jane's understands that Algeria has contracted China State Trading Corporation (CSTC) to supply the three corvettes, which will be built at either Guangzhou Shipyard International or Huangpu Shipyard. Displacing about 2,800 tonnes, these vessels will be considerably larger than previously thought.
The corvettes will be fitted with MTU engines and control systems while China's Systems Engineering Research Institute, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, is expected to provide the combat management system (CMS).
Although the TKMS deal was signed on 26 March, its effective date is still some months away; the first of the two MEKO A-200 frigates is scheduled for delivery about 48 months after this date.
The platform is essentially identical to the South African Navy's 3,648 tonne Valour-class frigate and will feature the same advanced CODAG-WARP (combined diesel and gas turbine/waterjet and refined propeller) propulsion system.
Armament is believed to include an Oto Melara 127 mm gun (firing Vulcano guided ammunition), Rheinmetall's close-in weapon system (possibly the MLG 27 mount), Saab's RBS 15 Mk 3 surface-to-surface missile, Denel's Umkhonto surface-to-air missile and Eurotorp's MU90 lightweight torpedo.
The CMS will be supplied by Atlas Electronik while air search radars are thought to be from EADS (perhaps a variant of the TRS-3D set). Sonar systems have not yet been finalised but will include a towed array system.
L-3 MAPPS is expected to provide an integrated platform management solution with advanced battle damage control and onboard team training capability. The Super Lynx helicopters will be armed with the MU90 torpedo in the ASW role and Denel's Mokopa air-to-ground missile for ASuW.
It is likely that another batch of corvettes is being built for the Algerian Navy by China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, however details are not available.
Meanwhile, Algeria is building a single 80-85 m corvette domestically and in mid-2011 contracted Italian company Orrizonte Sistemi Navali for a large amphibious/logistic support ship due for completion in 2015. Other requirements include two mine countermeasures vessels (with an option for two more) and two submarines.
