Procurement Will Scupper $200 Million Deal With China
Uruguay is negotiating the potential procurement of three Nordkapp-class OPVs from the Norwegian government, to cover the Navy’s current capability gap caused by the lack of any vessels suitable for patrolling the high seas.
The procurement, said to be for about US$30 million, would scuttle the project to buy two new-build OPVs at approx $200 million, for which China’s CSTC had been selected – a decision that resulted in strong pressure from the US to abandon that solution. Further details of the possible Nordkapp purchase have not yet been revealed, including the extent of customisation that may be involved or the embedded equipment that may be delivered with them. There will also be main engine maintenance to be conducted, as well as hull modifications. The vessels feature a false keel, installed to improve engine cooling, but which increases their draft and complicates operations in waters such as those in the Rio de la Plata.
While the patrol boats have been modernized in their systems, it has not yet been agreed which of such equipment will be delivered with them. In addition, maintenance must be done on its main engines and the hull must be modified, which had received a false keel to improve the cooling of the engines, which increases the draft and complicates its operation in waters such as those of the Río de la Plata.
Launched in the late 1970s, the Nordkapp class was intended to cover seven vessels, though eventually only three were built. The 105m, 3,320t vessels feature Wichmann (now Wärtsilä) 9AXAG diesel engines, generating 16,163hp and powering two propellers for a speed of up to 21kts, with a range of 7,500nmi at 15 knots. They are armed with a 57mm Bofors fast gun with a 17km range, and carry an EADS (now Hensoldt) TRS-3D surveillance radar, a Sperry Marine VisionMaster navigation radar and Atlas navigation systems, as well as a sonar mounted on the Simrad SP 270 hull, and a Sagem Vigy 20 optronic system. They also have cater for a medium helicopter, with hangar, as well as two RHIB boats and a service boat.
The vessels have been upgraded several; times, in 2001-2003, 2006 and 2015-2017, when they received MTU 8V and 12V 2000 diesel generators. The peacetime complement of 52 increases to 76 on a war footing, though the vessel can accommodate 109. They also feature reinforced hulls for operations in ice, and were originally intended to act as corvettes, with the addition of Penguin missiles, torpedo tubes, 20mm guns and Mistral anti-aircraft systems, if necessary. One of the three has already been decommissioned, and will be joined by the other two before year end.
Santiago Rivas reporting from Buenos Aires for MON
