MILITARY TECHNOLOGY: IDEX 2015: Fr. Lürssen Adjusts the Course

23 February 2015

IDEX 2015: Fr. Lürssen Adjusts the Course

The Naval Chiefs of a number of smaller naval forces in Africa and in the Asia-Pacific Region in particular have urged continuing efforts in modernisng existing assets and adapting them to the spectrum of future mission requirements. Among surface warships, there are increasingly smaller multi-mission combatants like patrols (Offshore Patrol Vessels or OPVs) and multi-role light frigates, which are required to increase the ability to project power in the littoral environment. The Royal Brunei Navy has been keen in acquiring a new class of highly sophisticated OPV from Germany’s Fr. Lürssen Werft.

With their two main diesel engines providing 8,524kW, the PV 80 (“Darussalam” class) patrol vessels built by Fr. Lürssen Werft for the Royal Brunei Navy offer an excellent seaworthiness, achieving a maximum speed of 22 knots. This makes them suitable for missions on high seas and deployments in coastal waters. (Photos: Royal Australian Navy)

The name “Lürssen” stands for a worldwide recognised brand for tradition; the shipyard designs, builds, and supports naval platforms as a prime contractor. According to the shipbuilder, this encompasses the integration of highly sophisticated systems and components on-board the great variety of platforms.

Four designs attract the interest at the IDEX/NAVDEX exhibition in Abu Dhabi this year: the Fast Patrol Boat FPB 41 already commissioned into service with the United Arab Emirates Navy in 2009; the Fast Interceptor Boat FIB 25; the Patrol Vessel PV 37; and the Multi Role Light Frigate. The latter comes in the form of a 105m long combatant with a displacement of 2,800 tons, and featuring superior low-observable (stealth) characteristics. The design of the Multi Role Light Frigate addresses a range of capabilities many smaller and medium-sized maritime fleets have to put into consideration for future mission scenarios in the littorals, including Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). For the latter, the design offers sufficient space for handling and maintaining an ASW-capable helicopter in the 10 tons category. Also, the vessel can accommodate a 10m Rapid Inflatable Boat (RIB) in the stern ramp for interdiction operations. This makes the Multi Role Light Frigate an ideal surface asset for counter-terrorism operations.

The “Darussalam” class OPVs can deploy fast interceptor craft from their stern ramp.

The Patrol Vessel PV 37 is a 35m long semi-displacement hull made from aluminium. Outfitted with a spectrum of mission-critical equipment (gun- and missile-based armament, sensors, navigational devices and HF/UHF communications), this 1,000nm (>1,800km) range vessel can be employed for security missions in littoral waters. Fr. Lürssen’s Fast Interceptor Boat FIB 25 is quoted as a “force multiplier”. With a displacement of 73 tons and a length of 27m, the boat exceptionally performs in rough seas, offering a maximum speed of 40 knots. Fr. Lürssen quotes a range of 750nm (1,390km) at 12 knots.