Posted on 01/08/2011 7:06:26 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
New Sea Power For Brunei
Last Updated on Saturday, 08 January 2011 09:15
Written by Waleed PD Mahdini
MinDef accepts 2 Darussalam-class offshore patrol vessels Bandar Seri Begawan - In a significant bid to realise the goals that were stated in the Defence White Paper 2004, the Ministry of Defence yesterday officially accepted two new Darussalam class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN).
According to a press release, issued yesterday, the construction and acceptance of these two new OPVs, bearing the names `KDB Darussalam' and `KDB Darulehsan', "manifested the commitment of His Majesty's government in further enhancing the Royal Brunei Armed Forces capability to defend the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity," as stated in the Ministry of Defence's Defence, White Paper of 2004 and the subsequent update in 2007.
Witnessing the significant milestone of the handing over and acceptance ceremony at the Lurssen Shipyard in Germany on behalf of His Majesty's government was the Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Paduka Awg Hj Mustappa Hj Sirat.
On Thursday, the third Darussalamclass OPV, `KDB Darulaman', was launched, which marked the first time the ship was laid into the water to undergo its Harbour and Sea Acceptance Trials before its planned delivery in August this year.
The Darussalam-class OPV is the first of its class for the world-renowned German shipbuilder and the RBN.
Measuring 80 metres in length and 13 metres wide, the OPVs are diesel-powered and were designed and built for a 21-day patrolling endurance.
The ship also comes equipped with Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles and a Bofors 57mm gun.
The acceptance of these new OPVs also marks the closing of the long arduous delay for the Sultanate and the Ministry of Defence after its first deal for three British-built OPVs failed to fall through and endured a decade-long worth of legal wrangling.
KDB Darussalam and KDB Darulehsan are expected to set sail on their maiden voyage back to Brunei in March, fully crewed by officers and sailors of RBN and are expected to arrive home some time in May this year, just in time for their public launch during the 50th anniversary celebration of the RBAF.
Also mentioned in the Ministry of Defence press release was the commissioning of the four 41-metre Ijhtihad-class Fast Patrol Boats (`KDB Ijhtihad', 'KDB Berkat', `KDB Syafaat' and `KDB Afiat') that have previously been commissioned into service with the Royal Brunei Navy.
Two of these patrol boats have already been operational since March last year with the other two by August this year.
In line with the expected release of the new Defence White Paper later this year, the acquisition of these new ships also signals the move by the RBN to replace its ageing 'Waspada'-class missile gunboats and `Perwira' class coastal patrol crafts with more-modem naval platforms with which to patrol and defend the Sultanate's 200-nautical mile resource-rich Exclusive Economic Zones, while enhancing the RBN's operational performance and minimising operating and support costs. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
ping
Interesting, since they also recently acquired an American Airplane Company too.
Here’s a good report of Arab military effectiveness. Get your coffee and settle in...
http://www.worldaffairsboard.com/field-mess/1616-why-arabs-lose-wars.html
What’s the relevance of Arab combat experience to Brunei??
I thought the gun looked small, but it’s listed as a 57mm. Probably good enough for its intended use. Looks like it comes with a few Exocets as well. I’d have mounted a couple of .50 cal machine guns, as well, for anti-piracy work.
"I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uh, some . . . people out there in our nation don't have maps ... "
Cute little boat. I agree it could use bigger guns. Anoreth went on patrol with the Brunei coast guard. They were surprised that there was a girl in our military, but she told them that in a free country girls could be in the military, and would they like some Thomas Sowell books because their economy was antiquated.
All the Brunei coasties wanted to move to North Carolina when they heard about the pleasant climate and low cost of living!
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