Newsletter navale

The frigate General Soublette ( F-24 ) from the Navy Venezuela will be subjected to increased maintenance work in Cuba. These reviews shall be conducted by Cuban state companies at a cost of 92,508,989 euros (104,600,000 dollars).

In this regard, by order of the Ministry of Defense , published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of February 13, was appointed to serve decentralized Coordinating Office of Maritime Support of the Navy ( Ocamar ) to act as the executing agency Financial of that ministry to the National Development Fund ( Fonden ).

At the same time, he was delegated to the Director of Ocamar, Vice Admiral Ferrero Patricia Silva , signing financial agreements with Fonden for the contract CGA-CNALO-002-15 with the Union of Military Industry , Company Military Industrial Shipyard Granma dependent the Revolutionary Armed Forces of the Republic of Cuba .

The contract is the largest preventive maintenance of hull structure and related systems with logistical support from the frigate General Soublette.

Type Lupo

The frigate General Soublette (F-24) belongs to a group of six units of type Lupo / class Mariscal Sucre , which were built in Italy for the Navy of Venezuela by Cantieri Navali Riuniti in their yards Ancona and Riva Trigoso . Were delivered between 1980 and 1982 .

These ships move 2 525 tons at full load and measuring 112.8 meters in length, 11.98 meters wide and 3.84 meters deep. Its armament includes a cannon Oto Melara of 127/54 mm. Eight antiship missile launchers Otomat Mk.2, an anti-aircraft missile system Dardo (eight missiles Aspide ), two double mounts Oto Melara Compact of 40/70 mm., two machine guns of 12.7 mm. and two triples Mk.32 torpedo of 324 mm. (Antisubmarine torpedoes A-244S). Furthermore, in the aft section has a flight deck and hangar for a medium helicopter Agusta / Bell AB-212ASW.

The General Soublette was built at the shipyard in Riva Trigoso and was assigned to the Venezuelan Navy on December 4, 1981.

The six ships are assigned to Frigate Squadron of the Fleet Command , whose headquarters is located at the naval base cabinet Admiral Augustine in Puerto Cabello .

Navantia has signed an agreement with Brazilian company ECOVIX-ENGEVIX to assist with the repair of the Venezuelan offshore patrol vessel (OPV) Warao (PC 22) which ran aground near the Brazilian port of Fortaleza in August 2012.

The Spanish state-owned company, which built the Avante 2400-class vessel known as the Patrullero Oceanico para la Vigilancia de la Zona Economica Exclusiva (POVZEE) by the Venezuelan Navy, said it will be providing technical support and replacement parts for the vessel's propulsion and control systems.

The 2,400 tonne Warao was taking part in the 'Venbras 2012' bilateral exercise with sister ship Kariña (PC 24) and Brazilian Navy ships when it ran aground.

(Infodefensa.com) Caracas - In the next twelve months production lines will begin to build 38 vessels will be added to the units of the Army of Venezuela , announced its overall commander, Admiral Gilberto Pinto White , told the local newspaper Notitarde .

Pinto explained the admiral , they shall be eight multipurpose vessels transport capacity up to 900 tons twelve patrol of 60 meters and 18 speedboats interception will be distributed in islands.

He explained that these vessels will be built through the existing agreement with the Dutch group Damen Shipyards in its shipyards located in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, and Vietnam, as well as the Coordinator Naval Unit Services Fairing, Repairs Hull and Maintenance, Equipment and Systems Ship Navy ( Ucocar ) whose facilities are located in the naval base cabinet Admiral Augustine of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela.

Admiral Pinto White also mentioned that, "there are acquisitions that result in skills which are acquired through Ucocar" this with the intention of building vessels with dimensions of up to 80 meters long that will be sold to the Caribbean islands, "is, is a great national project of the great naval industry are strengthening for that power and power Armada country."

Shipbuilding projects

It should be noted that some of the new shipbuilding, announced by the general commander of the Venezuelan Navy, are referred to recent decisions of the Ministry of Popular Power for Defense, on the following projects: Six Rookies Damen Stan Patrol 4207 type six Damen Stan Patrol patrol type 5009 eight multipurpose container vessels Damen Stan type 5612 Lander load.

It remains to know the model, or models, of 18 speedboats interception.

Damen in the Venezuelan Navy

Venezuela's Navy currently has five boats supplied by Damen, plus a back ordered.

The first was the height tug / salvage Francisco de Miranda (RA-11), type Damen Salvage Tug 6014, parts of which were built in Holland and assembled at facilities Dams and Astilleros Nacionales CA ( Dianca ), in Puerto Cabello . The vessel was delivered in 2007.

Subsequently, a type Ucocar joined Damen Stan Patrol 2606 patrol, the Skua (PG-51), which came into operation in 2009.'s plans to build five additional units.  

Finally, three freighters Damen Stan Lander 5612, plus one about to be delivered, the construction has been carried out in the Cuban shipyard Damex Shipbuilding & Engineering , of Santiago de Cuba , operated by Damen Shipyards Group. These are: The Friars (T-91) Witnesses (T-92), Los Roques (T-93) and Monks  (T-94).

Venezuela Navy will upgrade its four patrol ships type Avante2200 class Guaiqueri,

With "air defence systems" and "the surface-surface missile system and anti-submarine defense of the patrol four system", as well as, the acquisition in China's "anti-submarine helicopters" for its endowment. Its is assumed that either China or Russia may supply the required arma

02/12/2013

(Infodefensa.com) Caracas - A delegation of the Navy of Ecuador was visiting Venezuela to details on the types patrol 2200 Avante and Avante 1400 , built by the Spanish company Navantia for the Navy there.

Accurate press release Venezuelan naval component, the Ecuadorian official visit is part of the agreement established military-technical cooperation between Venezuela and Ecuador , in order to meet the covenants and agreements made by the Navy of Venezuela with Spain for the purchase of new units.

In this sense, the Ecuadorian officials visited the facilities of General Command of the Navy , where they held a conversation with some of the Naval High Command Venezuelan and subsequently moved to the naval base cabinet Admiral Augustine , in Puerto Cabello , State of Carabobo .

It fell to Admiral Erick Villalobos Huerta , chief of the Naval Mission in Venezuela for Ocean Patrol Surveillance (POV) and Ship Littoral Surveillance ( BVL ), by the commander Douglas Briceno Fiallo , chief of the Division of Technology Transfer and Support Integrated Logistics , accompany the Ecuadorian delegation.

During the visit, which lasted several days, the visitors met officials regarding the implementation performance of the contract of acquisition of patrol vessels by the Navy of Venezuela, and also find the features and benefits of these new naval units built in Spain. Vessels were visited ocean patrol Guaiquerí ( PO-11 ) and coastal monitoring vessel Yavire ( GC-22 ).

The Venezuelan example

In November 2005 the Government of Venezuela contracted with Navantia build eight patrol vessels for Navy, four kinds Avante 2200 and four type Avante 1400 , the first known locally as Ocean Surveillance Patrol (POV) and the second, Vessel Monitoring Litoral (BVL).

To date, they have been handed four Avante 2200 and three of the Avante 1400 , while the fourth and last of the Avante 1400 is under construction at the premises of the State and National Shipyards Dams, CA . ( DIANCA ), located in Puerto Cabello, and is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2015.

03/09/2013

(Infodefensa.com) Caracas – Fueron asignados los fondos para completar los trabajos de mantenimiento mayor y repotenciación del submarino Caribe (S-32), así como para la adquisición de equipos para el Escuadrón de Submarinos del Comando de la Escuadra de la Armada de Venezuela.

El tal sentido, mediante resolución del Ministerio de la Defensa, se designa a la Oficina Coordinadora de Hidrografía y Navegación (Ochina), como el organismo ejecutor para la suscripción y desembolso del convenio financiero a ser suscrito con el Fondo de Desarrollo Nacional, S.A. (Fonden). Asimismo, se delega en el contralmirante José Ernesto Acuña Moreno, director de Ochina, la facultad de ejecutar financieramente y suscribir el convenio con Fondem, así como, la administración de de los fondos para la ejecución de los proyectos, Recuperación Funcional del submarino Caribe (S-32) y Adquisición de Equipos  de Escape para Submarinos e Implementación del Soporte Logístico de Tierra del Escuadrón de Submarinos, por los montos de 254.554.546,37 bolívares (40.414.800 dólares) y 77.704.391,81 dólares.

Cabe señalar, que la Armada de Venezuela dispone de dos submarinos tipo U209A-1300/ clase Sábalo, el Sábalo (S-31) y el Caribe (S-32), los cuales fueron construidos en Kiel, Alemania, por la entonces Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW) y entregados en 1976 y 1977, respectivamente.

En 2004, ambos buques comenzaron a ser sometidos a un proceso de revisión quinquenal y modernización en las instalaciones de Diques y Astilleros Nacionales C.A. (DIANCA) ubicadas en Puerto Cabello, con la asistencia técnica de ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (antigua HDW) y otras empresas especializadas internacionales. El Sábalo fue puesto en grada en marzo de ese año y el Caribe en diciembre siguiente. Era la primera vez que ese tipo de trabajos se realizaba en Venezuela. El objetivo era prorrogarle la vida útil a los dos submarinos por diez o doce años, a partir de 2006-2007, cuando estaba previsto que iban a ser reincorporados al servicio, pero nueve años después la labores aún no han concluido. El Sábalo fue reincorporado a la flota en enero de 2011, mientras que el Caribe permanece varado en Dianca.

Se ha dicho que varias han sido las razones del atraso del proceso. Entre otras, la prohibición impuesta por Estados Unidos, en octubre de 2006, a la venta y transferencia de material y tecnología militar norteamericana a Venezuela, lo que motivó a que varias empresas internacionales se retiraran del proyecto, así como, la suspensión de la entrega de equipos, piezas y sistemas previamente encargados. Se suman, además, causas relativas a la falta de disponibilidad de fondos.

No obstante, la Armada aspira a reflotar al Caribe en el primer semestre de 2014, para reincorporarlo al servicio activo meses después. Mientras eso sucede, vuelven los rumores sobre la supuesta reactivación del proyecto de adquisición de nuevos submarinos y, una vez más, se apunta a un modelo ruso, esta vez al Amur 1650.

24/05/2013

(Infodefensa.com) Caracas - The Armada of Venezuela is recovering antiship missiles Park Otomat Mk.2, acquired in Italy in the early 70s , to equip the six frigates Type Lupo / class Mariscal Sucre and three missile patrol 37m Vosper type / class Federation.

According to the official press release stated, in the first half of 2010, engineers of the National Armed Forces began the process of comprehensive maintenance and readiness of missile Otomat 18. Currently, 13 met this stage and will be used to retrofit units of the Navy.

In that order, we conducted a test launch immediate waters Naval Air Captain Antonio Diaz , Orchila Island in the Venezuelan Caribbean. Were used as launch platforms for missile patrol Federation (PC-12) and Victoria (PC-16), equipped, each with two missiles Otomat. The white ship was an old tugboat.

The commanding general of the Navy, Admiral Antonio Guerra Diego Barreto , said Otomat Mk 2 missiles are part of "a weapon system acquired in the 1970s and we with our own technology, and supported by the Republic of Cuba, with technical in both countries, we have been able to update and adapt the technology to our time. "

"It is a surface-surface system that meets all current requirements of war. Measures 4.46 meters, has a head search radar, a warhead which are 240 kilos of explosives, and driving the generator body and a turbine, plus two accelerators ", he said.

"The missile is launched and reaches a height between 90 and 100 meters down to 70 meters and with its radar verifies the behavior of the sea, then down at the height of attack to seven meters above the sea, when it is seven kilometers from the white Search head strikes the target, "he said on the launch.

Finally, War Admiral stressed the importance of the National Armed Forces can, "with proprietary technology, having about systems like this".

(Infodefensa.com) Caracas - The ocean patrol Warao (PC-22), of the Navy of Venezuela , arrived in Rio de Janeiro on the ship dock Rolldock Sea , the Dutch owner RollDock Shipping BV, according to a note published in the Portal Naval Power . As reported exclusively, Infodefensa.com ., in January last , the ship would be repaired at a shipyard in the Brazilian port with assistance from Navantia , officials said. However, the Spanish company indicate that it is still negotiating with the Venezuelan Navy details of the work required for possible repair.As is known, in August 2012, the Warao collided with a reef as it approached the Brazilian port of Fortaleza. The Warao participated with its twin Kariña (PC-24) and other Venezuelan Navy ships and Navy of Brazil in combined naval exercises Venbras 2012.Since then, the ship remained in Fortaleza pending a decision of the Venezuelan Navy on its future. In September, Infodefensa.com learned that Navantia was evaluating the scope of work required to repair the Warao , but it was not until two months later when the Venezuelan Navy decided to recover the ship.

It should be noted that to date there has been no pronouncement of the Navy of Venezuela, or any other agency of the Venezuelan state, the crash of the Warao. therefore unknown repair cost and time will work, assuming that these will indeed be made.

The Warao , of 2,420 tons displacement, is the second of four ocean patrol type 2400 Avante / class Guaiquerí , which were built in Spain by the company Navantia. It was delivered to the Venezuelan Navy on August 2, 2011, in Puerto Real shipyard Bay of Cadiz.

(Infodefensa.com) Caracas – La Armada de Venezuela recibió el buque de carga multipropósito Los Testigos (T-92), segundo de los cuatro del tipo Damen Stan Lander 5612, que se construyen en el astillero Damex, en Santiago de Cuba, según reseña la prensa oficial cubana.
En marzo pasado se entregó el primero de los cuatro buques tipo Damen Stan Lander 5612, bautizado Los Testigos (T-91). Miden 57,27 metros de eslora, doce metros de manga y tres metros de calado. Pueden transportar 42 contenedores u otras cargas sobre cubierta, además de 220 m3 de combustibles y 197 m3 de agua potable, hasta alcanzar un peso muerto máximo de 740 toneladas. Cuentan en la proa con una rampa para la carga y descarga de vehículos. Son propulsados por dos motores diesel de 720 Hp, capaces de posibilitar una velocidad máxima de 11 nudos. Además, tienen capacidad de alojamiento para 16 tripulantes y están equipados con modernos sistemas de navegación y comunicación satelital...

AB Sábalo (S31)

Sagem (part of the Safran group) is currently negotiating with the Venezuelan Navy (Armada Bolivariana de Venezuela) and the country's state-owned shipbuilder DIANCA (Diques y Astilleros Nacionales Compañía Anónima) over the installation of Sagem's Sigma 40XP inertial navigation system on Venezuela's two Type 209/1300 diesel-electric submarines (SSKs), AB Sábalo (S31) and AB Caribe (S32).

IHS Jane's understands that a contract could be signed before the end of 2014.

Produced at the company's Montluçon plant, the Sigma 40XP system develops and transmits heading, roll, and pitch; latitude, longitude, and depth; and horizontal and vertical linear velocities.

The Sigma 40XP system can be found already onboard the submarines of a number of navies, including Australia, Chile, Ecuador, France, India, Norway, South Korea, and Vietnam.

15/07/2014

(Infodefensa.com) Carlos E. Hernández - In a ceremony held at the premises of Dams and National Shipyards CA ( Dianca ), in Puerto Cabello , Venezuela has been named Trooper Commander Hugo Chavez Eternal (GC-24), which is built in that state shipyard for  Armada Venezuela. The ship is the type Avante 1400 developed by Navantia . This is the eighth unit that Spanish company has built for the Bolivarian Armada of Venezuela .

The ceremony was chaired by the Minister of Popular Power for Defense , Admiral Chief Carmen Melendez Rivas , and was attended by the Ambassador of Spain in Venezuela,  Antonio Pérez Hernández and Torra .

The flotadura the "coastal surveillance ship", as it is called locally, was held at an unspecified earlier date. Initially, it was called Tamanaco , in memory of a chief of an aboriginal ethnicity; however, recently the name was changed by the late president of the South American country. Her mother,  Elena Frias de Chavez , and sponsored the new vessel has.

Dianca President, Vice Admiral (Retired) Malpica Seltzer Franklin said that "this certainly makes us happy, but not satisfied, can not settle with this (...) and while we are on the right track, we still a lot of hard work, but we have plenty to do revolutionary commitment. "

Spanish Technology Transfer

The Minister of Defence, Admiral Melendez Rivas said that this patrol "will be the spearhead for future vessels to be built in Dianca after technology transfer received from the Spanish company" Navantia, according to local newspaper review Notitarde .  

The Hugo Chavez is the last of the four patrol the type Avante 1400 , ordered to the Spanish company Navantia by the Armada of Venezuela , in November 2005, and whose construction will be performed in Dianca contractually agreed. The contract, signed in 2005, comprises a total of eight-four surveillance patrol the coast and four ocean surveillance.

The vessel is made twelve blocks, of which eleven were built in Spain by Navantia, and one in Venezuela by Dianca, Block 103. Cutting sheet metal or steel, Block 103 was conducted in May 2009, giving start construction work. The delivery of the GC-24 is scheduled for December 2015.

The first three patrols of the same class were built by Navantia shipyard San Fernando , in the bay of Cadiz , Spain , and delivered to the Venezuelan Navy between March 2010 and February 2011: Guicamacuto (GC-21), Yavire (GC-22) and Naiguatá (GC-23). All are assigned to the Coast Guard Command of the Navy.

Infodefensa.com) Caracas – La Armada de Venezuela desincorporará dos de sus seis fragatas tipo Lupo /clase Mariscal Sucre, según anunció su comandante general, almirante Gilberto Pinto Blanco, en declaraciones reseñadas por el diario local Notitarde.  

Se trata de dos de las tres fragatas que permanecen varadas, en proceso de mantenimiento, desde hace diez años, en las instalaciones de la empresa estatal Diques y Astilleros Nacionales C. A. (Dianca): General Urdaneta (F-23), General Salom (F-25) y Almirante García (F-26).

El almirante Pinto explicó que las unidades serán desvaradas -retiradas del puesto de varada en Dianca- y “usadas como ornamentación”, y solo en una será completado el mantenimiento. Sin embargo, no ofreció detalles de la fragata a recuperar, ni de la fecha en la que comenzarían los trabajos.

“En la actualidad hay embarcaciones más modernas y con mejores prestaciones para mantenerlas”, expresó.

Sostuvo, además, que la imposibilidad de culminar el mantenimiento de las tres unidades se debió al veto a la transferencia de equipos y tecnología militar, norteamericanos, impuesto por Estados Unidos a Venezuela, ya que, indicó, aunque las fragatas son de fabricación italiana, sus componentes electrónicos y parte de su armamento son de origen estadounidense.

Patrullero “Hugo Chávez”

Por otra parte, el almirante Pinto adelantó que próximamente se anunciará la fecha de la botadura del último patrullero tipo Avante 1400 / clase Guicamacuto, de los cuatro encargados a Navantia, y cuyo ensamblaje se realiza en Dianca.Dijo, además, que el buque, al que originalmente se asignó el nombre de Tamanaco y el numeral de casco GC-24, “podría llamarse Hugo Chávez”.

Dutch group Damen Shipyards to build twelve patrolmen Navy Venezuela , six Damen Stan Patrol Model 4207 six Damen Stan Patrol Model 5009.

The six Stan Patrol 4207 surveillance with logistical support was budgeted at $ 132,748,000, while the six Damen Stan Patrol 5009 with logistical support was budgeted at $ 176,554,000.

07/01/2014

(Infodefensa.com) Caracas - The Armada of Venezuela forward a number of projects for the acquisition and upgrading of its naval means, several of which will be specified in the course of this new year is just beginning.

Delivery is scheduled for the last of the four multi purpose cargo ships First, Damen Stan 5612 Lander , which are being built in the shipyard Cuban Damex Shipbuilding & Engineering , which is operated by the Dutch group Damen Shipyards . The first two, The Friars (T-91), and The Witnesses (T-92) were received in 2012, while the third, Los Roques (T-93), was incorporated into the fleet in October.

Similarly, it is estimated that during the first quarter of 2014, the flotadura two of the three frigates perform type Lupo / class Mariscal Sucre , who remain stranded, since 2004 in facilities Dams and National Shipyards, CA ( Dianca ) of Puerto Cabello , where they are being subjected to more jobs and upgrading maintenance. This is specifically the General Salom (F-25) and Admiral García (F-26). Meanwhile, the launching of the General Urdaneta (F-23) will be held at a later date.

Regarding the submarine Caribe (S-32), type U209A-1300 / Class Chad , which also is undergoing sunset review and modernization of Hull Dianca systems, has announced that its desvarada be held in the first half of 2014, to be reinstated in the service months later.

Moreover, the assembly continues Dianca coastal monitoring vessel Tamanaco (GC-24), the last of the four patrol the type Avante 1400 ordered the Spanish company Navantia in 2005, the construction was agreed do it in Venezuela . Delivery to the Navy is scheduled for December 2015, but its launch has been delayed, among other reasons, by labor disputes that have affected the Venezuelan state-owned shipyard.

New buildings

In the National Budget for 2014 , is referred to the construction of two types patrol Damen Stan Patrol 5009 and two type Damen Stan Patrol 4207 , at the shipyard Damex , Santiago de Cuba , in the amount of 1,800 million bolivars ($ 285,261,000 ).

Coastwatch

Also included in the 2014 budget, the proposed acquisition of coastal radars for the new system of surveillance and control of maritime traffic. It is monitoring network will be complemented with missile batteries BAL-E to be operated by members of the Army and Marine Corps and will be grouped into a Joint Command Defence Costas which, once created, will be attached to the Operational Strategic Command the National Armed Forces ( CEOFAN ).

Naval Aviation

Similarly, it is expected that the acquisition is confirmed in China helicopter Harbin Z-9 , both of the variant (shipped) Z-9C/Z-9EC , for the provision of patrol boats type 2200 Avante and Avante 1400 , as well as the ground attack variant Z-9WA intended to provide tactical support to units of the Marine Corps.

The Z-9 is the French version of the helicopter Eurocopter AS-365 Dauphin , built in China under license by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation .

Marines

Moreover, it is expected to begin by the end of 2014 deliveries a signature material acquired China North Industries Corporation ( NORINCO ), to provide the Marine Corps. The order, for about $ 500 million, including amphibious tanks and armored vehicles, multiple rocket launchers SR-5 , 4x4 self-propelled mortars CS / SM4 and communications systems, among other equipment, as well as war material.

Finally, they have been approved resources for modernization in Venezuela, 38 armored amphibious 6 × 6 Engesa urutu EE-11 . In addition, it is planned retrieval and updating of the eleven series amphibious armored FMC LVT7 .

CUBA STANDARD — The Cuban subsidiary of Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards delivered the third of four logistics ships built for the Venezuelan navy, official media reported.

In a televised ceremony, the Damex Shipbuilding & Engineering shipyard in Santiago, which is 100-percent owned by Damen, delivered the AB Los Roques (T-93) to the Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela.

The ship’s tasks include facilitating international trade and providing support in disaster relief efforts in the Caribbean.

The 57-meter Los Roques belongs to the Damen Stan Lander class. It has a cargo capacity of 740 tons — in 42 containers or as general cargo — and reaches speeds up to 11 knots. Built for shallow water, the vessel has a roll on-roll off ramp at the bow for vehicles and machinery.

Under cooperation agreements between Cuba and Venezuela, in addition to the fourth lander, Damex is scheduled to deliver two patrol boats next year. Previously to the Stan Landers, Damex built two tug boats for the Venezuelan navy.

Netherlands-based Damen Shipyards, the owner of the Santiago facility, is one of the world’s largest shipbuilders. The Cuban subsidiary was established in 1995 and is, according to its Website, “a self-sustaining organization” with 140 employees. Damex acts as a license holder and an aftersales service location for Damen Shipyards Holland, and can build new ships with a length of up to 100 meters.

Although it has yet to sell any major warships in Latin America, the China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Co (CSOC) used the 15-19 May SITDEF exhibition in Lima to make a rare public presentation about its company, stressing that it produces 80% of China's warships and controls the marketing of their weapons, electronics and systems.
However, CSOC is working indirectly to build a Latin American presence that could lead to future sales. In early July 2012, while commander of the Venezuelan navy, Defence Minister Admiral Diego Morelo Beliavia announced that Venezuela was entering into an agreement with China to repair and upgrade some of its six Lupo·class frigates, which had been affected by a US embargo on military sales that has prevented many repairs.
At SITDEF, Peru Difensa reported that China was to repair the General  Electric LM·2500 gas turbine engines used by the Venezuelan frigates. China has built a capacity to support LM·2500 engines, having also been subject to a US arms embargo since 1989; until a recent upgrade, LM·2500 powerplants were used in Chinese Type 052 destroyers.
Other sources told IHS Jane's that China could also co-operate with Argentina to replace the engines on its German·made MEKO frigates and corvettes. In late 2012 the Argentine MEKO 140A16 frigate Espora spent 73
days in the South African port of Simonstown as cash-strapped Buenos Aires could not pay Germany's MTO for diesel engine parts.
At SITDEF, CSOC displayed in model form its current offering of combat ships, including its S20 conventionally powered submarine (a version of the Yuan class), its new 3, 700-tonne stealthy frigate, and a new 22,000-tonne
landing platfom1 dock designed for a Turkish requirement. The latter featured a new island configuration displaying what appeared to be a version of the Thales I·Mast integrated radar system, the reason for which CSOC officials would not explain.
Responding to one possibility that this was to illustrate CSOC's flexibility in accommodating customer requirements, a Thales official at the show stated that the company had "no authorisation" to discuss co·operation with China regarding the I·Mast. Aside from legal/policy restrictions, the official stressed the commercial dangers of China eventually making copies "that cost less and have less performance", adding: "We don't want that."

Source : JDW

Le vraquier thaïlandais Nordana Malee a embarqué le 2 avril, à Cadix, des blocs du quatrième et dernier patrouilleur hauturier commandé à Navantia par le Venezuela. Ces sections de coque seront acheminées au chantier vénézuélien Dianca, chargé de l’assemblage du futur Tamanaco. Ce bâtiment sera un sistership des Guaicamacuto, Yaviré et Naiguata, réalisés par le site Navantia de Puerto Real, près de Cadix, et livrés entièrement achevés en 2010 et 2011...

Lire l'intégralité de l'article sur Mer et Marine :

http://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/navantia-livre-les-blocs-du-dernier-patrouilleur-venezuelien

Caracas – O navio patrulha oceânico Warao (PC-22), da Marinha da Venezuela, que em agosto de 2012 sofreu “danos graves” quando encalhou na costa do Brasil, será reparado em um estaleiro no Rio de Janeiro, com a participação da empresa espanhola Navantia, de acordo com fontes confiáveis.

Fontes dizem que a empresa espanhola, por sua vez, ainda está em negociações para organizar os esforços de recuperação.

Lembre-se que o navio colidiu contra um recife de coral quando se aproximava do porto brasileiro de Fortaleza. O Warao participou com o Karina (PC-24) da mesma classe e com outros navios da Marinha da Venezuela e da Marinha do Brasil no exercício naval combinado Venbras 2012.

Desde então, o navio permaneceu ao lado do Karina em Fortaleza, na pendência de uma decisão sobre o seu futuro na Marinha venezuelana.

Em setembro, Infodefensa apurou que a Navantia estava avaliando o escopo de trabalho necessário para reparar o Warao, e dois meses depois a Marinha venezuelana tomou a decisão de recuperar o navio.

Para este fim, em dezembro o rebocador de alto mar, Francisco de Miranda (AR-11), chegou a Fortaleza para liberar o Karina e participar na operação de transferência do Warao para o estaleiro no Rio de Janeiro. No entanto, devido aos danos para os sistemas de propulsão do casco ele terá que ser transportado em um navio doca.

Se ignora o custo do reparo e o tempo que vai levar. Além disso, até o momento não houve nenhum pronunciamento da Marinha da Venezuela ou qualquer outro órgão do Estado venezuelano, sobre os danos sofridos pelo Warao.

O Warao, de 2.420 toneladas de deslocamento, é o segundo de quatro navios  patrulha oceânicos ,tipo Avante 2400 / classe Guaiquerí, que foram construídas na Espanha, pela Navantia.

O Warao foi entregue à Marinha da Venezuela em 2 de agosto de 2011, em Porto estaleiro Real, na Baía de Cádiz.