CDDL To Build Six Offshore Patrol Vessels For Bangladesh Navy

[Bilal9]

I don't get all the armchair admirals passing judgment about it having 'just' 30mm guns, because the role is for missions like counter-piracy, counter-drug-trafficking, search-and-rescue, anti-mining warfare etc. Those adversaries and roles don't call for a 76mm gun. This is not video games we are talking about, this is real scenario. Pakistan's Damen OPV's have a 76mm gun because those vessels are going to have additional offensive roles beyond what BN foresees. This may change as it is early days yet.

By the way, each OPV will probably cost US$ 55 Million, at least that is what the Malaysians paid for building three of them locally. Compared to this amount, a frigate the size of the 054A is costing Pakistan somewhere around $250 to $300 million. Damen designed frigates, even if built locally, will cost even more.

Damen's new 'OPV 1800 Sea Axe' (new 1800 design) is a near carbon copy of what the BN OPV tender calls for, you can take your cues from that gents.

85m LOA, Beam 14m, 45-50 personnel etc.

Note the towed array sonar and the RHIB enforcer personnel boat being launched from a rear ramp. Also note how the BN tender called for the MultiMission packages enclosed in 20TEU containers, just like the DAMEN design above in the multimission bay.

This is the immediate older DAMEN design (of same capacity) that was launched for Maritim Malaysia, note the bulbous front bow, unlike the newer AXE design.

Note the fin stabilizers on the side for active yaw correction at higher speeds. This design does not have the rear RHIB launch facility and uses cranes on the side to launch RHIBs which may indicate what the BN tender calls for. Obviously USN and Euro navies nowadays all use the rear launch ramp for RHIBs. Side cranes take too long to launch personnel boats.

The Pakistani Damen-designed OPV is a modified OPV 2400 class design (a bit higher in size compared to the Malaysian one), has a 76mm gun and displaces 2300 tons.

1st of 4 launched May 2019

2nd of 4 launched Sept. 2019

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2019/05/damen-launches-pakistan-navys-first-2300-tons-opv/

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-new...hed-pakistan-navys-second-2300-tons-corvette/

 

[TopCat]

I guess Six frigates program will go to Damen shipyard which they are investing 1 billion dollar to setup

 

[Bilal9]

About the aviation capability of the OPVs the requirement states landing space for Heli and drone but nothing about a hanger. At 2000TN displacement it should be possible to include a hanger. What do u think?

Exactly what I was thinking.

The vessel is large enough to handle SAR and MEDEVAC helis like the NH90 or the EH101 (max design heli landing load is 11 tons per Damen specs), but possibly, Bangladesh will use existing Mi-17s or order new navalized Mi-38s with SAR pods underslung under the nose. Whichever heli is chosen, it needs folding rotors and swinging and folding tails to save space to fit inside the hanger.

This is the new Mi-38-2 (been following the development), it is a lighter and far more sophisticated replacement of the Mi-17. This heli may be a bit heavier than design calls for (17 tons AUW).

The Koreans (Surion) also offer these roles (10 tons),

but chances of these Chinese or Korean helis being inducted are rather remote.

May end up with Leonardo's AW189 offering in this area (10 tons),

The Airbus Helicopters H175 (8.5 tons),

Or even Sikorsky's S-70 (11 tons),

I guess Six frigates program will go to Damen shipyard which they are investing 1 billion dollar to setup

I have a feeling the OPV's at CDDL will also be built per Damen's design, as the Malaysian Maritim agency and Pakistan Navy has followed suit. The CDDL tender specs and Damen's specs are very close.

 

[UKBengali]

I guess Six frigates program will go to Damen shipyard which they are investing 1 billion dollar to setup

Think this is unlikely as BN sees IN as it's main adversary and so would want to go with China.
Anyway Western design will be significantly more expensive than Chinese design.

 

[The Ronin]

I don't get all the armchair admirals passing judgment about it having 'just' 30mm guns, because the role is for missions like counter-piracy, counter-drug-trafficking, search-and-rescue, anti-mining warfare etc. Those adversaries and roles don't call for a 76mm gun. This is not video games we are talking about, this is real scenario. Pakistan's Damen OPV's have a 76mm gun because those vessels are going to have additional offensive roles beyond what BN foresees. This may change as it is early days yet.

But vai using heavier weapon like 76/57mm and 30mm on OPV is not unusual though if you check Kedah, Holland class OPV or USCG cuttters. As we have two rogue neighbors, having a bit more firepower wouldn't really be a bad idea.

 

[TopCat]

Think this is unlikely as BN sees IN as it's main adversary and so would want to go with China.
Anyway Western design will be significantly more expensive than Chinese design.

If Damen setup its dock in Bangladesh then they will beat any other competitor in price. They must had got the green signal unless they would not had decided to invest that much.

 

[UKBengali]

If Damen setup its dock in Bangladesh then they will beat any other competitor in price. They must had got the green signal unless they would not had decided to invest that much.

Think that is for civilian ships.
Western design will need import of expensive Western subsystems and only labour cost of hull will be cheaper.

 

[TopCat]

Think that is for civilian ships.
Western design will need import of expensive Western subsystems and only labour cost of hull will be cheaper.

BN wants western subsystem even with chinese hull

 

[UKBengali]

BN wants western subsystem even with chinese hull

Ok. Let us see what happens.

Damen investment in BD is great news whatever the reason/s.

 

[Michael Corleone]

Think that is for civilian ships.
Western design will need import of expensive Western subsystems and only labour cost of hull will be cheaper.

Same if it’s Chinese, subsystems will need to be invested from the west, heck I think Chinese use Ukrainian marine engines on their frigates. Atleast that’s what I read some time back

 

[Bilal9]

But vai using heavier weapon like 76/57mm and 30mm on OPV is not unusual though if you check Kedah, Holland class OPV or USCG cuttters. As we have two rogue neighbors, having a bit more firepower wouldn't really be a bad idea.

Well yes you do have a point.

Just putting a couple of 30mm cannons on a 2000 ton ship is sort of neutered...but I am sure the proposals will eventually come with 76mm added (even as option).

So the Navy may see the better of it to include the bigger gun. Compared to the rest of the subsystems, a 76mm cannon isn't really all that more expensive. Yes even the common one from Oto Melara that we use.