ORP Generał Kazimierz Pułaski

ORP Generał Kazimierz Pułaski (Pendant 272) is one of two Oliver Hazard Perry class guided-missile frigates in the Polish Navy. Formerly serving in the United States Navy as USS Clark (FFG-11), after her transfer to Poland she was named for Kazimierz Pulaski, an American Revolutionary War hero in the United States and an independence hero in Poland.

The Clark was decommissioned and stricken on 15 March 2000. That same day, she was transferred to Poland. She is propelled by two General Electric LM-2500 gas turbines and two 350 horsepower (261 kW) electric drive auxiliary propulsion units.

She was renamed on 25 June 2000 in a ceremony attended by Madeleine Albright. Commander Marian Ambroziak was the first Polish Commanding Officer. Generał Kazimierz Pułaski is homeported in Gdynia (Oksywie), and has participated in numerous NATO exercises in the Baltic. 

She is seen here sailing from Faslane

G Class frigate

The G class (Turkish: Gabya sınıfı fırkateyn(ler)) is one of the frigate classes of the Turkish Navy. They are extensively modernized versions of ex-Oliver Hazard Perry class guided-missile frigates, mainly designed for air defense with a weapons configuration that is optimized for general warfare.

Upgrades

The G class frigates have undergone a major modernization program which included the retrofitting of a Turkish digital combat management system named GENESIS (Gemi Entegre Savaş İdare Sistemi). The first GENESIS upgraded ship was delivered in 2007, and the last delivery is scheduled for 2011. The GENESIS advanced combat management system includes the following characteristics and abilities:

A modern and reliable system

High performance

Open architecture

Capacity of tracking more than 1,000 tactical targets

Modern digital sensor data fusion

Automatic threat evaluation

Weapon engagement opportunities

Link-16/22 system integration

The Mk-41 VLS will be fitted in front of the Mk.13 launchers, similar to their installation on the Adelaide-class frigates of the Royal Australian Navy, which are Australian-built derivatives of the Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates.

The "short hull" ex-Perry class frigates that are currently being operated by the Turkish Navy were modified with the ASIST landing platform system at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard, so that they can accommodate the S-70B Seahawk helicopter.

Ships of the class

  

TCG Gaziantep (F 490) (ex-USS Clifton Sprague (FFG-16)) 

TCG Giresun (F 491) (ex-USS Antrim (FFG-20)) 

TCG Gemlik (F 492) (ex-USS Flatley (FFG-21)) 

TCG Gelibolu (F 493) (ex-USS Reid (FFG-30)) 

TCG Gökçeada (F 494) (ex-USS Mahlon S. Tisdale (FFG-27)) 

TCG Gediz (F 495) (ex-USS John A. Moore (FFG-19)) 

TCG Gökova (F 496) (ex-USS Samuel Eliot Morison (FFG-13)) 

TCG Göksu (F 497) (ex-USS Estocin (FFG-15))

Gediz  is seen here leaving Faslane

Baleares Class Frigate

The Baleares class were a group of five frigates built for the Spanish navy in the 1970s. The ships are a modified version of the American Knox class frigates. The key differences are the replacement of the Sea Sparrow PDMS and ASW helicopter facilities by Standard SAM and associated radars. They received a SPS-52B 3D search radar and one SPG-51 illuminator for the Standard SM-1 medium range SAM, fired from a Mk22 16 round single arm launcher. The SQS-26 long range LF sonar was replaced by a SQS-23G MF sonar, while two Mk25 tubes for Mk37 torpedoes we mounted in the tramson. The SQS-35 variable depth sonar was maintained.

The five ships were upgraded several times during their service lives. They received a Spanish TRITAN combat data system and the EW suite was upgraded with Spanish equipment. Mk36 SROC decoy launchers were also added, as well as two quadruple Harpoon launchers amidships. Two Meroka CIWS gun system were also fitted. The old SQS-23G sonar was replaced by a modern DE-1160LF set built in Spain (a larger, lower frequecy version of the SQS-56 sonar) and the Mk25 tubes were dismounted to allow for female crewmember berthing.

The Ships have recently been retired, in order to assume the F-100 frigates costs .

 

Ships of the class

F71 Baleares 1970 - 2004

F72 Andalucia 1971 - 2005

F73 Cataluna 1971 - 2004

F74 Asturias  1972 - 2009

F75 Extremadura 1972 - 2006

Andalucia is seen here alongside in Leith

Santa Maria Class Frigates

SPS Navarra (F85) is the fifth of the six Spanish-built Santa Maria-class frigates, based on the American Oliver Hazard Perry class design, of the Spanish Navy.

Laid down on April 15, 1991, and launched on October 23, 1992, Navarra was commissioned in service on May 27, 1994.

The ship features a series of improvements to her previous sisters, with a new Meroka mod 2B CIWS, and upgraded fire control systems with Mk.92 mod6 CORT (Coherent Receiver Transmitter) and SPS-49(v)5 radar instead of previous (v)4.

All of these Spanish frigates have the length of the later Oliver Hazard Perry frigates, and have a wider beam than the US Navy design, and therefore able to carry more top weight. Fin stabilizers are fitted.

On December 9, 2002, Navarra intercepted the unflagged freighter So San several hundred miles southeast of Yemen at the request of the United States government as part of Operation Enduring Freedom - Horn of Africa. The frigate fired across the So San's bow after the freighter ignored hails and attempted to evade the frigate. The freighter's crew was North Korean; 23 containers containing 15 complete Scud ballistic missiles, 15 high-explosive warheads, and 23 nitric acid containers were found on board. Yemen claimed ownership of the shipment and protested the interception and U.S. officials released the vessel after receiving assurances that the missiles would not be transferred to a third party. On 23 March 2010, she sank a Somali pirate mothership lifeboat and captured two skiffs, after private security forces successfully defended the MV Almezaan from a pirate attack. The six suspected pirates were later released, when the master and crew of the Almezaan refused to testify.

Ships of the class 

F81 Santa Maria

F82 Victoria

F83 Numancia

F84 Reina Sofia

F85 Navarra

F86 Canarias

Sps Navarra is seen here departing Faslane

Álvaro De Bazán Class Frigates

The Álvaro de Bazán class (also known as the F100 class of frigates) are a new class of Aegis combat system-equipped air defense frigates entering service with the Spanish Navy. They are being built in the Spanish factory of Ferrol and are named after Admiral Álvaro de Bazán.

The ships utilize American Aegis weapons technology allowing them to track hundreds of airborne targets simultaneously as part of its air defense network. The F100 Alvaro de Bazan class multirole frigate is one of the few non-US warships to carry the Aegis Combat System and its associated AN/SPY-1 radar. (Japan's Kongo class and the F100-derived Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen class of frigates also use the Aegis system.)

The F100 will be the basis of the Australian Hobart class destroyer (previously known as the "Air Warfare Destroyer"). The Australian government announced in June 2007 that, in partnership with Navantia, three F100 vessels will be built for the Royal Australian Navy with the first due for delivery in 2014.

Lockheed Martin, Navantia and the U.S. Navy are conducting final systems integration.

The Alvaro de Bazan class frigates are the first modern vessels of the Spanish Navy to incorporate ballistic resistant steel in the hull, along with the power plants being mounted on anti-vibration mounts, reducing the noise and making them less detectable by submarines.

Ships of the class (year entered service)

F101 Álvaro de Bazán (2002)

F102 Almirante Juan de Borbón (2003)

F103 Blas de Lezo (2004)

F104 Mendez-Nuñez (2006)

F105 Cristobal Colón (2011)

F106 Juan de Austria  (2012)

Operational History

In late 2005, Álvaro de Bazán was deployed as part of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier battle group in the Persian Gulf. This was the first deployment of a Spanish warship as part of an American naval battle group.

In early March 2007, the Álvaro de Bazán was the first Spanish Naval Vessel to visit Australia in 150 years. The ship made several port visits around Australia in conjunction with the Spanish Naval ship builder Navantia's bid to design the Royal Australian Navy's new Air Warfare Destroyer. The ship was also visiting Australia as part of the first circumnavigation of the globe by a Spanish warship in 142 years.

Álvaro de Bazán is seen here alongside in Leith

Seen here with the Spanish naval tanker Patiño

RFA Lyme Bay

RFA Lyme Bay (L3007) is a Bay class auxiliary landing ship dock (LSD(A)) of the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Lyme Bay was built by Swan Hunter at Wallsend on the River Tyne, being the last ship built on the river. On July 13, 2006 it was announced that, due to delays and cost over-runs, fitting out of Lyme Bay would be transferred from Swan Hunter and completed by BAE Systems at Scotstoun. Lyme Bay arrived on the River Clyde on July 22, 2006.

RFA Lyme Bay is seen here fitting out at Scotstoun

Vasco Da Gama Class Frigate

Named in honor of the great Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, the Vasco da Gama class is a class of frigates of the MEKO 200 PN German concept. They are the major surface ships of the Portuguese Navy. Portugal operates three ships of this class, which were built in Kiel by Blohm + Voss and later by HDW, using modular construction techniques.

The project for the construction of three frigates of this class was authorized by the Portuguese Government in 1985, five years after the request of the Portuguese Navy for the acquisition of new surface ships. According to Conway's, 60% of the funding for these ships came from NATO military aid. Similar ships have been built for the navies of Greece, Turkey, Australia and New Zealand.

Ships of the class

F330  Vasco Da Gamma

F331  Alvares Cabral

F332  Corte Real

Alvares Cabral is seen here arriving Leith

Knm Vidar

Knm Vidar (N52) was a Royal Norwegian Navy minelayer and command vessel. Vidar was built by Mjellem & Karlsen in Bergen in 1977. 

Her sistership is Knm Vale, which was given to Latvia in 2003. Vidar is named after Odin's son Vidar from Norse mythology. The vessel was the command ship for MCMFORNORTH in 2004 and 2005. In 2006 she was sold to Lithuania and given the name Jotvingis. The Lithuanian Navy uses her as a command and support ship. 

Ship specifications

• Crew: 61
• Length: 64.8 m
• Displacement: 1750 tons
• Speed: 14.8 knots
• Armament: 2x 40 mm Bofors guns, 2x12.7 mm machine gun, 1x Mistral surface-to-air missile

Knm Vidar is seen arriving in Leith

She is seen here sailing down the Clyde a few days previously

Ula Class Submarines

The Ula class is a Norwegian submarine type which was assembled in Germany in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The class, consisting of 6 vessels, is currently the only submarine type in service with the Royal Norwegian Navy.

The ordering of a new Norwegian submersible design stemmed from a 1972 decision to modernize the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) submarine flotilla, which then consisted of the aging Kobben class submarines.

The construction of the vessels was an international project. The combat systems were made in Norway by Kongsberg, the attack sonar is German and the flank sonars French. The hull sections were produced in Norway, and then assembled in Germany by Thyssen Nordseewerke, Emden. In Germany, the design is known as the U-Boot-Klasse 210.

When commissioned Ulas were the first Norwegian submarines with bedding for the entire crew and a shower.

The Ula class submarines are among the most silent and maneuverable submarines in the world. This, in combination with the relatively small size, makes them difficult to detect from surface vessels and ideal for operations in coastal areas. The Ula class submarines are regarded as both the most effective and cost-effective weapons in the RNoN.

Missions

In recent years, several submarines of the Ula class have been deployed in the Mediterranean Sea in support of the NATO Operation Active Endeavour, where their intelligence gathering ability have surpassed expectations. Their operational availability proved to be the highest of all the ships taking part in the operation. However, this deployment has highlighted the need to make the Ula class submarines better able to keep temperatures from getting too high for the crew when operating in warm waters. As a response to this, the Knm Ula have now been "tropicalized" by installing new cooling systems, and two more of the class are due for "tropicalisation".

Future plans

During the period 2006-2008, the Ula class will be modernized. Most notably, the submarines will get new communication equipment, new electronic warfare support measures and a periscope upgrade.  In May 2008, the contract for new sonars was signed. The first submarine will have new sonar in 21 months time, and the last in 52 months. The Ula class will probably be kept in service until 2020.

Ships of the class

Six submarines were delivered (1989-1992) to the RNoN. All of them have their home base at Haakonsvern Bergen. The boats are all named after places in Norway, with the exception of the S305, Uredd, which literally translates to "unafraid". The ship prefix for RNoN vessels is KNM (Kongelig Norsk Marine, Royal Norwegian Navy) 

  

Vessel list

S300  Knm Ula      

S301  Knm Utsira  

S302  Knm Utstein 

S303  Knm Utvaer  

S304  Knm Uthaug   

Knm  Utstein sailing from Faslane

Arriving Leith

Sailing from Leith, passing Inchkeith Island

Oksøy & Alta Class Mine Hunter - Mine Sweepers

The Oksøy-class mine hunters are a class of vessels of the Royal Norwegian Navy active since the mid-1990s.

Almost identical to the Alta class, the only differences are the equipment on the aft deck and aft 1. deck, the sonars (two instead of one), and the length of the superstructure on 1. deck. The minehunters carry two ROV's, and when in active service a few highly trained divers, with competence in mine clearing. While the minesweepers have only one rigid inflatable boat, the Oksøy-class carries two, one for the divers and one for other purposes.

The Alta class minesweeper is a ship class of minesweepers operated by the Royal Norwegian Navy. An almost identical class of minehunters is known as the Oksøy class.

The Alta class was built by Kvaerner Mandal during 1996 and 1997, while the related Oksøy class was built in 1994 and 1995. A total of 9 vessels were built, 5 minesweepers and 4 minehunters. Knm Orkla was completely destroyed in a fire, and Knm Oksøy was damaged when it ran aground in 2005. The pair, along with Knm Glomma, are no longer in active service. The catamaran hull is built in a fibre-reinforced plastic sandwich of very low magnetic signature.

Two large fans located on each side create an air cushion between the two hulls and a front and aft rubber skirt, lifting the vessel, giving small drag and a high cruise speed, as well as low susceptibility to the shock of exploding mines since only a small portion of the hull is actually exposed in the water. Propulsion by water jet, again one in each hull, gives a low acoustic signature. A degaussing system gives the vessels extremely low electromagnetic signature.

Knm Hinnoy is seen here arriving Leith

Seen here sailing down the Clyde a few days earlier

Oslo Class Frigates

Oslo class frigates were a Royal Norwegian Navy frigate design, based on the US Navy Dealey class destroyer escorts. The forward hull was customized to suit Norwegian sea conditions better (higher freeboard) and several sub-systems were European built

In the late 1970's the class recevid new armament, most notably Penguin, RIM-7 Sea Sparrow and Mark 32 torpedo launchers.

During 1995 and 1996, after the Knm Oslo experienced an engine failure, and subsequently sank after sailing in heavy weather, the rest of the class was once again modernized. The hulls were strengthened, which in turn increased the displacement with 200 tonnes.

All of the Oslo class were replaced with new Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate starting in mid-2006.

Ships of the class.

Five frigates of this class were built. All of them were modernized during the period 1987–1990. They bear the prefix KNM (Kongelig Norske Marine, meaning Royal Norwegian Navy).

Ships of the class

Name	Pennant number	Launched	Commissioned	Decommissione
Oslo	F300	January 17, 1964	January 29, 1966	Sank in 1994
Bergen	F301	August 23, 1965	June 22, 1967	August 3, 2005
Trondheim	F302	September 4, 1964	June 2, 1966	June 2006
Stavanger	F303	February 4, 1966	December 8, 1967	June, 1998
Narvik	F304	January 8, 1965	November 30, 1966	August 1, 2007

Knm Oslo

The lead ship, Oslo, ran aground at Marsteinen on January 24, 1994, and on January 25 she was taken under tow. She sank on the same day outside Steinneset in Austevoll county. One officer was killed in the accident.

Knm Stavanger

Stavanger was decommissioned in 1998. She was later used for target practice and sunk in 2001 by a single DM2A3 torpedo launched from the Ula-class submarine Utstein (S 302). 

Knm Bergen

Bergen was decommissioned in August 2005.

Knm Trondheim

On March 17, 2006 at 20:10 CET, the Trondheim ran aground outside of the Lines island in Sør-Trøndelag. No personal injuries among the 121-man crew were reported. The incident was reported from the ship itself, and at 20:30 it came loose again. Water flooded two compartments (paint storage and forward pump room) of the ship. The compartments were sealed and three ships were sent to assist the frigate. The frigate was towed to port in Bergen by the coast guard vessel KV Tromsø.

Knm Narvik

Narvik, the last active ship of the class, has been transferred to the Royal Norwegian Navy Museum in Horten.

Knm Bergen is seen here leaving Faslane