6 Sailors Charged with Mutiny in German Naval First

Six German sailors have been charged with mutiny over accusations they tied up their superior onboard a ship, in a first for the German navy, officials said Friday.

The six allegedly pulled the petty officer from his cabin, tied him with tape to a table and wrote “the retards live here” on his lower leg, according to the public prosecutor’s office in the northern town of Rostock.

The alleged incident took place onboard the Hermelin, which was part of the UN mission in south Lebanon, UNIFIL, while the boat was in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, in February.

The petty officer is of Thai descent, but there is no indication the incident was racially motivated — the alleged victim had himself apparently used the term “retard” earlier to refer to non-officer crew members.

“They wanted to teach the petty officer a lesson,” the public prosecutor’s spokesman said.

A defense ministry spokesman told reporters that as far as he was aware, it was the first time a charge of mutiny had been brought within the German navy.

They have also been charged with aggravated battery and depriving someone of his personal freedom, according to the prosecutor’s office.

On the mutiny charge alone, they face a jail term of between six months and five years.

The petty officer was not seriously hurt.

Naming ceremony of fuel cell submarine “U36” for the German Navy in Kiel

One of the most modern non-nuclear submarines in the world was named today at the shipyard of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH, a company of ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions AG, under the name of “U36”. This marks another important milestone in the ongoing shipbuilding programme for the German Navy. U36 is the second boat of the second batch of HDW Class 212A submarines destined for operation in the German Navy. The German town of Plauen has assumed sponsorship for U36. The ultra-modern submarine was named by Silke Elsner, companion to the Mayor.

“We at ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems are committed as a naval shipyard enterprise characterised by maximum technological competence, geared first and foremost to the production of non-nuclear submarines and high-end naval surface vessels”, says Andreas Burmester, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “We will shortly be proud to hand over this newly named submarine to the German Navy as another “masterpiece” of German engineering.”

The contract to deliver a second batch of two HDW Class 212A submarines was signed on 22nd September 2006 in Koblenz with the German Office for Military Technology and Procurement/BWB (now the German Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Employment of the Bundeswehr/BAAINBW). The submarine building activities are taking place at the shipyards of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems in Kiel and Emder Werft- und Dockbetriebe in Emden.

The two additional units will be largely identical to their sister ships from the first batch. They are also equipped with the HDW air-independent fuel cell propulsion system which has already given excellent results in operations with the boats of the first batch. The German Navy submarine U32 gave renewed proof of this in April 2013. On the way to participate in naval exercises in the USA the boat produced a new record for non-nuclear submarines with 18 days in submerged transit without snorkelling.

To meet changes in operational scenarios and to take constant technological advances into account, a number of modifications have been made in the second batch:
• Integration of a communications system for Network Centric Warfare
• Installation of an integrated Sonar and Command and Weapon Control System
• Installation of a superficial lateral antenna sonar
• Replacement of one periscope by an optronics mast
• Installation of a hoistable mast with towable antenna-bearing buoy to enable communication from the deep submerged submarine
• Integration of a lock system for Special Operation Forces
• Tropicalisation to enable world-wide operations.
The Italian Navy has also decided in favour of a second batch of two HDW Class 212A submarines, which are being built under licence by the Italian shipyard Fincantieri. That means that the Italian Navy will soon also have four boats of this class available for operations.
U36 – Technical Data:
General boat data:
Length over all: approx. 57 m
Height including sail: approx. 11.5 m
Maximum hull diameter: approx. 7 m
Displacement: approx. 1,500 t
Crew: 28
Pressure hull built of non-magnetic steel

German Ship First to Join US CSG

The German Sachsen-class frigate Hamburg (F220) is the first German ship to fully integrate and deploy with an American carrier strike group, and April 3 marks her second week of operating in the North Arabian Sea with USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE).

The Hamburg will stay a part of the strike group until the group's completion of operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

Both Rear Adm. Michael Manazir, commander CSG 8, and Cmdr. Ralf Kuchler, commanding officer of Hamburg, hope this is the start of a long partnership between their two countries.

"It has been a pleasure to work with Hamburg," Manazir said. "She has integrated seamlessly with our strike group and I would feel confident deploying with a German ship in any situation."

While this is the first time a German ship has been part of a carrier strike group, it is not the first time one has trained and deployed with American ships. FGS Hessen (F221) completed interoperability exercises and deployed with USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in 2010, but detached in the Mediterranean Sea. German ships routinely collaborate with American ships in the European Union's Operation Atalanta, an anti-piracy mission around the Horn of Africa, as Hamburg did in 2011.

While integration was slow at first to allow time for the sides to get acquainted with one another, Hamburg now helps IKE by coordinating the air space around the strike group and in defense of its surface assets. This is the role Kuchler said he foresees German Sachsen-class frigates fulfilling in the future.

"Within Carrier Strike Group 8, my mission is to provide the admiral the same service he is used from a U.S. cruiser within the boundaries of my national rules of engagement, which is to safely coordinate the airspace around the carrier and to protect IKE if the situation demands," Kuchler said.

Hamburg is suited to do that, as she has some similar surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles. The Sachsen-class frigate is the only ship in the western world with three types of surface to air missiles: the Standard Missile 2 block IIIA (SM-2), the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM), and the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM).

Hamburg's Active Phased Array Radar (APAR) and SMART-L air-surveillance radar are both new European developments. APAR, comparable to the U.S. SPY radar, is primarily a fire control radar and it operates well in a wide-range of environments. The SMART-L has a detection range of more than 200 nautical miles for air targets and can track up to 1,000 air tracks automatically. Its 3-D picture helps threat analysis and enables a quick handover of target data to APAR for potential engagements.

Indeed, Hamburg is a frigate in name only.

"These ships are designed for this type of mission," said Cmdr. Christian Wikarczyk, Hamburg's executive officer.

To help the crews of Hamburg and IKE get acquainted with one another, an exchange program has been set up between the two ships during deployment. Each day - whenever the operational environment permits - they cross deck three Sailors for an orientation of about five hours. There is no shortage of volunteers from each side.

While the planning of future carrier strike group missions may be on hold due to budgetary constraints, the leadership of CSG 8 and Hamburg are hopeful this relationship will lead to more cooperation in the years to come.

"My personal goal is that this deployment paves the ground for a rotational 2-year participation of a German 124 (Sachsen class) frigate in a U.S. carrier strike group," Kuchler said. "I am pretty sure that the steps we make here are the best basis to convince both sides that this is the right way ahead for our common future."

German Navy Acquires Six REMUS AUVs

After extensive trials by the German Bundeswehr Technical Center for Ships and Naval Weapons (WTD 71) in Eckernfoerde, the Federal Office of Defence Technology & Procurement (BWB) in Koblenz has placed a contract for six REMUS 100 Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) manufactured by Hydroid, Inc. - a Kongsberg Company to enhance the capabilities of the German Navy's mine divers. Delivery of the REMUS 100 systems and operational training of military personnel will occur during the next 12 months.

The easy to handle REMUS 100 AUV is equipped with side-scan sonar and various other oceanographic sensors. It navigates by transponder interrogation and DVL-aided inertial dead reckoning in pre-programmed missions. The recorded data will be used to search for mines, lost objects, debris and wrecks or simply to collect topographic ocean floor mapping for hydrographic and scientific applications.

"We are pleased to be able to collaborate with BWB and Bornhöft Industriegeraete GmbH to introduce REMUS technology into the German Navy to enhance Mine Countermeasure (MCM) operations in Very Shallow Water operations" said Graham Lester, director, Hydroid Europe.

The REMUS 100 is a compact, lightweight AUV designed for operation in underwater environments up to 100 meters deep. The vehicle can be configured with a wide variety of standard and/or customer-specified sensors and system options in order to meet specialized mission requirements.

All of Hydroid's REMUS AUVs are modular: They can be fitted with varying sensors for use in hydrographic surveys, harbor security operations, debris field mapping, scientific sampling and mapping, as well as many basic and applied research programs. With more than 300 vehicles in the field, Kongsberg Maritime is currently the AUV market leader.

Germany to train Algerian Navy personnel

The Germany Navy has signed a contract with Algeria to train its naval personnel in ship and helicopter operations, according to the German Defence Ministry. The training is believed to form part of Algeria’s recent acquisition of two Meko frigates.

The training will take place in Germany and at sea and will involve 16 Germany Navy training personnel, who will train their Algerian counterparts between 2013 and 2017, reports Germany’s Bild. Training will take place aboard Algeria’s frigates from 2017. Algeria will pay the €12 million cost of training.

On March 26 this year, Algeria’s ministry of defence ordered two Meko A200 frigates from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). The contract, No. 674/889, was signed after a year of negotiations. In 2008 Forecast International reported that Algeria was seeking to acquire four new frigates.

TKMS will supply two Meko 200 frigates and six AgustaWestland Super Lynx helicopters under the contract, which, according to Bild, is worth more than €400 million.

Algeria is in the process of expanding its navy in recent years as it faces problems such as smuggling, illegal migration and indigenous terrorism. These threats mainly affect Algeria's harbours and maritime communication routes and ships passing through the Straits of Gibraltar. Consequently, the Algerian Navy maintains a well-trained and well-equipped fleet to provide security to more than 1000 km of coastline.

In May it emerged that Algeria had signed a contract with China Shipbuilding Trading Company for three light frigates. They will be built either at Guangzhou or the Shanghai Huangpu Shipyard. The vessels will displace around 2 800 tons fully loaded, and will be powered by MTU diesel engines.

In the middle of last year it was announced that Algeria had signed a deal with Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation and state arms exporter Rosoboronexport for two new Tiger class corvettes. The Tiger corvette (Project 20382) is an export model of the Project 20380 Steregushchy class, which is the Russian Navy’s newest corvette class.

The vessel can be equipped with a variety of weaponry, including 100 or 76.2 mm guns, 14.5 mm machine guns, 533 mm torpedoes and a variety of surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles (e.g. P-800 Oniks, Uran-E or Yakhont). In addition, the vessels have capacity for a helicopter.

According to the IISS’s The Military Balance 2012, Algeria’s surface fleet comprises of three 1970s-era Koni class antisubmarine frigates, six corvettes, 22 patrol and coastal combat vessels, three amphibious vessels and three logistics and support ships.

In June 2006 Rosoboronexport signed a contract with the Algerian Navy for the construction of two Project 636 Improved Kilo class submarines under a roughly US$400 million contract.

Construction of the first submarine started in 2006 and the second began in 2007. They were handed over to the Algerian Navy in March and September 2010 where they joined two Project 877EKM Kilo diesel electric submarines, which Algeria received in 1987-1988.

Russia is presently upgrading a Nanuchka II class corvette and a Koni II class frigate for the Algerian Navy and will hand them over in July. Algeria and the Severnaya Verf shipyard signed a contract in 2007 for the overhaul of three warships of each class. Russia delivered the first pair, consisting of a Project 1234E Nanuchka II class corvette (Rais Hamidou) and a Project 1159T Koni II class frigate (Mourad Rais), to Algeria in February 2011.

Atlas Elektronik to provide Cerberus portable diver detection sonar for the German Navy F125 frigate

ATLAS ELEKTRONIK will deliver portable Diver Detection Sonars for installation on the latest frigate of the German Navy, Type F125. ATLAS, a leading supplier of naval electronic systems, has been awarded a contract by the German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) for the supply of four Cerberus Mod2 portable Diver Detection Sonar (DDS) systems for the four F125 frigates and a fifth system for training purposes. The first system delivery is scheduled for 2012.

Developed by the British subsidiary ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK, the Cerberus Mod2 sonar will be the first installation of a DDS on a NATO vessel. Cerberus serves to protect military vessels from under-water threats by alerting the operators to the presence of divers, swimmers, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) or Swimmer Delivery Vehicles (SDVs). The system is ideally suited for expedi-tionary use on platforms such as the F125 which will conduct forward operations in potentially hos-tile areas during times of conflict.

                         

ATLAS ELEKTRONIK will deliver portable Diver Detection Sonars for installation on the latest frigate of the German Navy, Type F125. ATLAS, a leading supplier of naval electronic systems, has been awarded a contract by the German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) for the supply of four Cerberus Mod2 portable Diver Detection Sonar (DDS) systems for the four F125 frigates and a fifth system for training purposes. The first system delivery is scheduled for 2012.

                         

The system can be operated remotely from the ship’s bridge as well as from a processing and dis-play unit below deck. Cerberus can also be operated completely independently from ships systems with the exception of power which is taken from the ships standard power supply. By positioning several sonars at suitable locations in harbours, wide expanses can be monitored and large numbers of vessels protected. The DDS automatically compensates for ship motion.

                         

ATLAS ELEKTRONIK will deliver portable Diver Detection Sonars for installation on the latest frigate of the German Navy, Type F125. ATLAS, a leading supplier of naval electronic systems, has been awarded a contract by the German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) for the supply of four Cerberus Mod2 portable Diver Detection Sonar (DDS) systems for the four F125 frigates and a fifth system for training purposes. The first system delivery is scheduled for 2012.

Cerberus displays the surrounding area on a sea chart. The position and bearing of the host ship are updated constantly. Once initialized, the DDS generates a visual and acoustic alert to warn against targets approaching in the water. It is therefore not necessary to permanently watch the display.

Thanks to its low weight of 23 kilograms and compact construction, the system can be deployed without the need for a crane or davit; its components can easily be carried and operated by one person.

                         

Abu Dhabi Ship Building, the leading shipbuilder and naval support services provider in the Gulf region, has today launched its first Ghannatha Missile Boat at its Mussafah shipyard facilities. The Ghannatha Phase II program was awarded to ADSB in 2009. ADSB was commissioned to construct 12 new Missile Boats and retrofit the existing ADSB-built Ghannatha Phase I troop carriers into gun boats and mortar boats.

Cerberus Mod2 meets all the relevant national and international military standards (BV and MIL).

James Young, Head of the Surface Ships Division of ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK, added: “We are delighted with the award of this contract to provide an important security system for the German Navy. Once again, it reinforces our position as a class leader in design, development and supply of high performance Diver Detection Systems, which has been built on our heritage of advanced sonar processing and hardware design. This is a first of many systems to be delivered by us to the war-ship market. Hopefully our other naval customers will follow suit and select the Cerberus system for its superior performance and competitive price ahead of our competitors”.