|
|
От
|
Exeter
|
|
|
К
|
All
|
|
|
Дата
|
01.02.2008 20:38:10
|
|
|
Рубрики
|
Современность; Флот;
|
|
Друг Чавес готовится нас снова порадовать
Буржуазная печать клевещет, что будто бы, по сообщениям из Каракаса, ВМС Венесуэлы завершают переговоры о заказе в России трёх ПЛ пр. 636 за 1,4 мильярда. Контракт будет подписан до конца апреля. Две лодки будут построены на Адмиралтейских верфях, а третья - на АСЗ. Кроме того, в аренду венесуэльцам для подготовки личного состава будет передана лоддка пр. 877 из состава ВМФ РФ.
Jane's Defence Weekly - February 06, 2008
Venezuela places order for Russian-built submarines
José Higuera JDW Correspondent
Santiago
The Venezuelan Navy (ARBV) is finalising negotiations for the procurement of three Russian-made submarines to be delivered between 2012 and 2013.
Sources in Caracas said the terms of the deal - for an enhanced Project 636 (Improved 'Kilo') design - were agreed in early December 2007. The contract, said to have a value of around USD1.4 billion and including options for an additional number of submarines, is to be signed before the end of April. Technical and financial details are currently being worked out.
Venezuela had a preference for the Amur 1650: the export version of the Lada diesel-electric submarines designed to supersede Russia's 'Kilo'-class boats. However, Russian builders are not willing to sell those models yet, as the design is being revised. Russia persuaded Venezuela to buy 'Kilos' now and to leave the Amur option for future orders.
The boats will be fitted with elements of the sensor and command suite being developed in Russia for the Lada/Amur submarines. It will be able to launch torpedoes and mines as well as anti-ship and cruise missiles like the 3M-54E Klub or Yakhont when underwater.
Venezuelan requirements also call for an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system. Russia is known to be developing a fuel-cell type solution for the Lada/Amur submarines. However, it is not clear if this will be ready or available for initial integration in 'Kilo'-type boats or for later retrofitting.
Two of the submarines will be built at the Admiralty Shipyard in St Petersburg and the third in a shipyard in the Russian Far East. The agreement also includes the leasing of a Russian Naval 'Kilo'-class boat for training of Venezuelan crews.
Plans by the ARBV to deploy nine submarines were disclosed by senior naval officers in 2006, triggering a wave of concern in South America and beyond. Deployment of such a large submarine fleet has been a longstanding dream of the ARBV, since a strategic plan devised in the 1950s.
However, that idea has not been endorsed by President Hugo Chavez and has no likely support in the other branches of the Venezuelan military. Most probable - and financially viable - is the procurement of five or six new boats in two batches.
Orders of Russian-built submarines would include two vessels to replace Sábalo and Caribe : two 30-year-old German-built Type 209/1300 boats undergoing a refit and upgrade programme with German assistance at local shipyard DIANCA.
Sábalo has been out of service since 2001, when its batteries ran out of life, making it impossible to submerge the ship. It began refit in March 2004. As the only operative submarine, Caribe became rapidly worn out and also went through a refit in December 2005.
The work on both submarines was expected to be completed by the end of 2007 but seems to have run into disarray and there is now a delay of between 15 and 20 months. Local sources have told Jane's that the delays spurred the navy to accept the 'Kilo' boats.
Venezuelan intentions to deploy a larger fleet of Russian submarines have not only caused consternation in neighbouring countries; the US military is also likely to view the acquisition with some concern.
The submarine sale is believed to be one reason for plans to consider reactivating the US Navy's Fourth Fleet: a move endorsed two weeks ago by Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen. Attached to US Southern Command, the new force would increase the US naval presence from the Caribbean through Central and South America.
С уважением, Exeter