[Menacho]

:shock:  :shock:  :shock:  :shock:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1223392/Inferno-Battle-extinguish-blaze-Japanese-naval-destroyer-hits-container-ship.html

[P44]

Navantia Delivers Submarine 'Tun Razak' to Malaysia
   
   
(Source: Navantia, issued November 5, 2009)
 
   
   (Issued in Spanish only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)
 
 
   
   This morning, at the shipyard in Cartagena, Navantia held the delivery ceremony of the Scorpene-class submarine "Tun Razak", the second of two boats that the consortium formed by the French company DCNS and NAVANTIA built for the Royal Malaysian Navy. The contract was signed in June 2002.

The ceremony was presided by the Chief of Navy Malaysia, Tan Sri Dato 'Sri Haji Abdul Aziz Jaafar, and attended by the Malaysian ambassador to Spain, Dato' Mohammad Naimun Ashakli, and Aurelio Martinez, President of Navantia.

The submarine "Tun Razak" was launched and christened in a ceremony held at the Cartagena shipyard on 8 October 2008, an event that was chaired by Their Majesties the Kings of Malaysia, and is the second of a two-submarine contract. The first boat, christened “Tunku Abdul Rahman," was delivered to the navy of Asian nation on 26 January 2009 in Toulon (France).

According to the program, the stern sections are built by Navantia and the bow sections by DNCS. The first submarine was assembled and delivered by the French shipyard in Cherbourg, and the second here, at the Cartagena shipyard.

The main features of the submarine are:
- Length: 66.40 m
- Beam: 6.20 m.
- Draft: 5.40 m.
- Pressure hull diameter: 6.20 m
- Surface Displacement: 1,525 T
- Submerged Displacement: 1,670 T
- Maximum speed:
*submerged: 20 kts
*surfaced: 12 kts
- Autonomy: 45 days
- Crew: 31

-ends -

[nelson38899]

27/11/2009 (Infodefensa.com) Buenos Aires - El Gobierno argentino ha aprobado una inversión de unos 157,8 millones de dólares para la construcción de cuatro patrulleros oceánicos multipropósito (POM) en los astilleros Tandanor-Alte Stomi, lo que representará la inversión más grande en la Armada en más de una década.

Con ocasión de la celebración del 130 aniversario de la creación de Tandanor (Talleres Navales Dársena Norte), la ministra de Defensa, Nilda Garré, confirmó que la presidenta, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, ha aprobado el inicio del programa de construcción naval y autorizó a incluir el gasto en el presupuesto plurianual para la construcción pero no especificó su plazo de entrega.

Según los expertos, una vez firmado el contrato, la primera unidad debiera estar finalizada en un plazo máximo de 24 meses mientras que las siguientes unidades demandarían entre 6 y 8 meses a posterior de cada entrega.
Los POM son navíos que "representarán la mayor inversión argentina (600 millones de pesos) en equipamiento naval para la defensa en más de una década, deviniendo en instrumentos centrales para la preservación de la soberanía nacional en nuestro extenso mar territorial y su zona económica exclusiva", dijo Garré.

Estos patrulleros permitirán cubrir las necesidades de la Patrulla Antártica Naval Combinada, junto a la Armada de Chile, y mejorar las capacidades argentinas de patrullar las aguas sub-antánticas tanto en apoyar a operaciones navales como para socorrer en caso de emergencias en el mar de distinto tipo.

Patrullero Oceánico Multipropósito (POM)
La iniciativa del Patrullero Oceánico Multipropósito (POM), que llevan adelante Argentina y Chile, prevé la construcción de naves de mediano tonelaje y alta autonomía con una ingeniería compartida por ambos países. Fue presentado en 2004 pero mientras Chile lo ha llevado adelante y construido ya dos buques -con dos más previstos-, Argentina no lo ha iniciado por problemas financieros, principalmente. En principio, la Armada argentina preveía la construcción de cinco unidades.

width=400El programa fue adjudicado al astillero privado alemán Fassmer y la propuesta inicial era que ambos países, Chile y Argentina, compartieran la ingeniería de estas naves para reducir costos y, eventualmente, diseñar en el futuro un patrullero que podría ser comercializado en otros países de América Latina.

El diseño de este buque se basa en los patrulleros BGS (Bundesgrenzenschutz) diseñados por Fassmer y construidos en el astillero Abeking & Rasmussen,de Alemania entre el 2001 y 2004 para la Policía Marítima de Alemania.

En el caso chileno, fueron construidos por los astilleros Asmar de Talcahuano. La segunda fue incorporada al servicio activo el pasado mes de septiembre bajo el nombre OPV82 "ComandanteToro" en presencia de la presidenta del país, Michaelle Bachelet, y distintos representantes argentino, tanto oficiales como empresariales.

Características técnicas

Estos patrulleros tiene una eslora de 80,6 metros y un desplazamiento de 1.850 toneladas son propulsados por una planta combinada diesel eléctrica-diesel, que le permitirán navegar el 65% del tiempo a velocidades de entre 1 y 5 nudos, brindando una velocidad máxima de 20 nudos con el 85% de su planta motriz.

Cuentan con una plataforma para operar helicópteros del tipo Fennec y Alouette, permitiendo el uso de helos del tipo AB-412, y poseen de un hangar fijo.
Son tripulados por 34 marinos y tienen capacidad para 16 personas más y pueden operar hasta 30 días corridos y cuentan con una autonomía de 12000 millas náuticas.

Respecto a armamento, cuenta con un montaje 40/70 mm y seis ametralladoras .50.

Importancia del CINAR

"El actual Gobierno -continuó Garré- ha tomado la decisión de confiar a este Complejo Industrial Naval Argentino (CINAR) y a su gente algunos de sus proyectos más importantes en el área de Defensa. La media vida del submarino San Juan y la reparación del rompehielos Almirante Irízar son dos de estos hitos".
Así mismo, la ministra se refirió a la historia de Tandanor desde su privatización fraudulenta en la década del 90, hasta la recuperación en 2007 por el Estado Nacional. "De su situación de quiebra virtual en la cual se encontraba la empresa hace más de dos años, actualmente posee 530 trabajadores en forma directa, junto a aproximadamente 700 subcontratistas. No hay conflictos laborales serios, los salarios son buenos y todos los pagos están al día", dijo Garré.
Tandanor nació el 10 de noviembre de 1879 a orillas del río Lujan (El Tigre). Allí, en un pequeño varadero se reparaban buques de manera informal, su existencia ocurrió durante el gobierno de Nicolás Avellaneda. Nace con el nombre de "Talleres Navales de Marina".

En el 2008, el Ministerio de Defensa decidió constituir el CINAR integrando  Tandanor y el astillero de submarinos Almirante Storni (ex Domecq García) con el objeto de reposicionar a la empresa en el mercado internacional de las reparaciones, ejerciendo una gestión eficiente, con una decidida apuesta por el sector de la construcción naval, con tanta tradición en Argentina.
Características principales de los Patrulleros Oceánicos Multipropósito:
Eslora 80,6 mts
Manga 13,3 mts
Desplazamiento 1800 tons
Velocidad máxima 20 kts
Dotación 30 personas
Pasajeros 10 personas
Autonomía 6.500 millas náuticas a 13,5 nudos.
Planta propulsora Dos (2) Motores MAN B&W 12 RK 270; dos ejes
http://infodefensa.com/lamerica/noticia ... ce%E1nicos
http://es.noticias.yahoo.com/9/20091127 ... e34ad.html

[P44]

Canadian navy to modernize ships without U.S. equipment
 
The goal is to accelerate frigate upgrades by avoiding American export controls
 
By David Pugliese, Canwest News Service January 24, 2010

Faced with delays and restrictions about what it can and cannot do with U.S. technology, Canada’s navy has decided to modernize its frigates using as much non-American equipment as possible for key systems on the ships.

The Defence Department had stipulated that the command and control systems on the multi-billion-dollar frigate upgrade be free of U.S. regulations, said officials with Lockheed Martin Canada in Ottawa, the company handling the contract.

In the past, the U.S. government’s strict enforcement of technology restrictions under International Traffic in Arms Regulations has delayed the delivery of military equipment to Canada.

In addition, in 2006 U.S. government officials tried unsuccessfully to limit the type of Canadians who could work on Canadian defence programs, specifically requesting that those who were born in certain countries or who had dual citizenship with particular countries not be allowed access to American technology.

Such restrictions violate Canadian law. As a result, key radars, sensors and software to be installed on the Halifax-class frigates are coming from Canada, Sweden, Israel, Germany, and the Netherlands.

“It was a desire [by the customer],” Don McClure, Lockheed Martin Canada’s vice-president of business development, said of the decision to use technology that wasn’t controlled by ITAR.

“The primary thing is during the life of a warship there is the need to modify certain tactics or add certain sensors and the navy didn’t want to be restricted to having to ask permission [from the U.S.] for that.”

McClure said the command and control system the firm is developing in conjunction with Saab Electronics Systems of Sweden will be free of any U.S. export controls.

That will also allow the Ottawa company to market the system to other navies without having to seek U.S. permission.

Some of the weapons on the Canadian frigates use U.S.-technology and there are other American-made components that aren’t covered by ITAR on the vessels.

McClure said the frigate modernization is on track, with the first ship expected to be worked on starting in the fall.

The Defence Department is spending a total of $3.1 billion on the program, which not only includes the work being done by Lockheed Martin Canada and its partners but mid-life improvements to mechanical systems on the vessels to be done by Victoria Shipyards and on the East Coast.

The modernization of all 12 frigates will be finished by 2017.

Defence Department spokeswoman Jocelyn Sweet said in an e-mail that the department did not specify that the materials and work associated with the mid-life maintenance of the frigates be free from U.S. ITAR.

But she added: “DND did require that any proposals related to the integrated combat system address how the contractor would mitigate any risk to the delivery schedule if they included sourcing of material or services from the U.S. that would invoke ITAR restrictions.”

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology ... story.html

[nelson38899]

Amid explicit war threats against the country, Iran has beefed up its Navy with the successful manufacturing of an advanced destroyer.

Destroyers are fast, maneuverable warships with guns and torpedoes used to escort larger vessels in a fleet or a battle group. They operate to protect vessels against short-range but powerful assailants.

Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said on Wednesday that the manufacturing of Jamaran is among the greatest achievements of the Iranian Navy

While little is known about this missile-launching ship, an official in Iran's military said in 2007 that the Iranian destroyer is one of the most modern ships of its kind in the world.

"Soon the first Iranian-made destroyer will be launched ... and will surprise the world's military community with its facilities, equipment, capabilities and technology," Commander Dariush Ebrahimnejad said.

Another Iranian naval commander, Seyyed Mahmoud Moussavi, said in January that Jamaran is a multi-mission destroyer capable of performing anti-submarine, anti-air, and anti-surface operations - in other words a guided missile destroyer.

Such destroyers are usually equipped with powerful weapon system radars and are deployed for use in anti-missile or ballistic missile defense operations.


http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=91518

[Cabeça de Martelo]

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/sh ... ost4770796

[P44]

Navy Takes Delivery of Offshore Patrol Vessel
   
   
(Source: New Zealand Defence Force; issued February 18, 2010)
 
 
   
   Chief of Navy, Rear-Admiral Tony Parr and Ministry of Defence Project Director Gary Collier formally accepted the Offshore Patrol Vessel, HMNZS OTAGO, into the Royal New Zealand Navy at a ceremony in Melbourne today.

“OTAGO and her sister ship WELLINGTON will deliver the Navy substantial new capability to undertake Exclusive Economic Zone patrols, surveillance and military operations around New Zealand, the southern ocean and the Pacific,” said Admiral Parr.

“OTAGO and WELLINGTON have the capability to operate further offshore than our existing patrol vessels, stay at sea longer, and conduct more challenging operations – using their helicopter capability, sea-boats and embarked forces.”

Rear-Admiral Parr said it was no secret the Navy had waited longer than planned to get the ships.

“The Navy is now focused on getting these ships into service to do the jobs they were designed for. We’re confident the issues around the ships’ weight, which have contributed to delays in acceptance, can be managed so they can successfully carry out their missions. We wouldn’t have accepted the ships otherwise.”

HMNZS OTAGO is the sixth ship in the Project Protector fleet. Acceptance of OPV WELLINGTON into naval service is expected in April.

Admiral Parr said that with the delivery of OTAGO and WELLINGTON the Navy will be operating a fleet of 12 modern, hi-tech and highly capable ships.

“With the completion of Project Protector the Navy can deliver the full range of maritime military capability from combat and security missions to peacekeeping, border patrol and humanitarian and disaster relief,” said Admiral Parr.

The delivery crew of HMNZS OTAGO will now undertake safety and operational preparations for her voyage to New Zealand. We expect OTAGO to arrive at Devonport Naval Base toward the end of March where she will be welcomed with appropriate ceremony.”

-ends-

[P44]

Submarine Type A26

A new generation Swedish submarines



  http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articl ... oject.html

Technical data

Length over all 63 m
Beam 6.4 m
Displacement 1900 tons submerged
Weapon armament Four 53 cm bow tubes + one flexible payload lock
Weapons Positive discharge or swim-out
Propulsion Single-shaft, diesel-electric and Stirling AIP
Submerged endurence Weeks
Hull Single pressure hull, two pressure tight compartments
Crew 17-26


The A26 Submarine - Key Features

* Designed for Littoral Operations and with Ocean Going Capability
* Stealth by Air Independence and Balanced Signature Properties
* Invulnerability through Verified Shock Resistance
* Flexible Payload Capability with Flexible Payload Lock System
* Network Connectivity
* Efficient through-life upgrades and adaptations through highly modular design

A26 Project Status

The Swedish Government has in December 2007 approved initiation of the design phase for a new generation of submarines.

Kockums is currently finalising the project definition phase of the A26 submarine for the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV). Preparations are ongoing together with FMV to enter into the design contract.

[P44]

La Armada Chilena incorpora el nuevo petrolero Almirante Montt adquirido a EEUU

17/02/2010 (Infodefensa.com) Santiago de Chile - La Armada Chilena  incorporó el nuevo petrolero AO-52 ´Almirante Montt´ adquirido a Estados Unidos en una ceremonia que se celebró en la ciudad estadounidense de Mobile (Alabama) el pasado 10 de febrero. Aporta una importante capacidad logística y de proyección.

El nuevo petrolero y su dotación permanecerán hasta la primera semana de marzo en Estados Unidos, completando la última fase de los trabajos de reactivación y las pruebas de mar en ese país. Posteriormente, el buque tocará costas chilenas en Talcahuano, para continuar este proceso en los Astilleros de ASMAR.

La unidad ha estado en activo durante 13 años en la US Navy bajo el nombre de AO Andrew J. Higgins (T-AO-190), y se estima que, tras la actuación y modernización emprendida, contará con una vida útil en entre 25 y 30 años.

El comandante de la Cuarta Flota, Comando Sur de la Marina de Estados Unidos, almirante Victor Guillory, que asistió a la ceremonia, consideró que la transferencia de este buque mejora las capacidades logísticas y de proyección de la Armada Chilena y, en concreto, en su capacidad de respuestas a crisis humanitarias y medioambientales.

width=400Honores y discursos

La ceremonia comenzó con los honores al embajador de Chile en Washington, José Goñi, luego de lo cual se dio lectura al decreto oficial que incorpora al "Almirante Montt" a la Armada de Chile, seguido por el decreto de nombramiento de su comandante, el capitán de Navío Guillermo Gunckel.

Luego, la dotación, que se encontraba formada frente a las autoridades en el muelle del astillero, procedió a embarcarse para rendir honores al nuevo comandante de la unidad. Posteriormente, se realizó el izamiento del Pabellón Nacional.

Una vez concluidos los honores, el obispo de la ciudad de Mobile, monseñor Thomas J. Rodi, procedió a bendecir el buque en inglés y español, así como a la imagen de la Virgen del Carmen que acompañará a la unidad en todas sus futuras travesías.

El comandante Guillermo Gunckel expresó que la dotación "se encuentra muy contenta de recibir el buque y está muy motivada", a bordo del nuevo buque de la Armada de Chile y que se trasladará en marzo hacia nuestro país.

Entre los asistentes a la ceremonia, que transcurrió en astilleros de Atlantic Marine Alabama, se encontraban el director general de los Servicios de la Armada, vicealmirante Eduardo Junge Pumpin, el jefe de la Misión Naval de Chile en EEUU, contraalmirante Piero Fagandini González, y el director de Programas, Investigación y Desarrollo de la Armada, contraalmirante Giancarlo Stagno Canziani.

50 millones de dólares

Hace un tiempo, el anterior comandante en jefe de la Armada de Chile, almirante Rodolfo width=400Codina, señaló que la adquisición y puesta en servicio del nuevo buque, que estaba en reserva desde el año 1996, costará cerca de 50 millones de dólares.

La Armada Chilena también disponía de otros 20 millones de dólares adicionales para otros trabajos de modificación y adecuación de la nave.

La operación quedó libre para su concreción después de que el 17 de octubre de 2008, tras recibir el visto bueno de ambas cámaras del Congreso,  el entonces presidente George Bush firmó una ley que permitía su transferencia a Chile.

La nueva nave reemplaza al viejo petrolero AO-53 Araucano, que fue completado en Dinamarca hace 41 años y está en servicio hace 40 años en Chile.

Antes de ser decomisado, en noviembre de 1991, el buque sufrió un accidente durante la operación Desert Shield cuando embarranco frente a la costas de Omán y sufrió daños en el casco que provocaron la pérdida de combustible pero no heridos.

Es una nave logística que no sólo permite llevar petróleo, sino que también puede transportar otros combustibles líquidos, carga seca, repuestos y municiones. Con algunas modificaciones, estas naves podrían también transportar algunas tropas.

Características

El AO Andrew J. Higgins es una nave de apoyo logístico de la Clase Henry Kaiser de 206 metros de largo y con un desplazamiento total de 42.000 toneladas aunque no cuenta con hangar, sí posee una espaciosa cubierta de vuelo.

Es propulsado por motores diesel, menos complejos de mantener y más eficientes y baratos de operar en términos de costos y consumo de combustible, en comparación a las viejas turbinas de vapor del petrolero con que hoy cuenta la marina chilena.

Los antecedentes indican que el ex USS Andrew J. Jackson, que es una nave monocasco, será modificado a una configuración de doble casco y doble fondo, para cumplir con la legislación marítima internacional y aumentar su seguridad frente a posibles accidentes, evitando así el peligro de filtraciones contaminantes de combustible y otros materiales.

Con algunas modificaciones y aprovechando sus amplios espacios interiores, el buque logístico podría también transportar algunas tropas, como lo hace la Armada Argentina con su petrolero de origen francés Patagonia, o acomodar talleres de reparación y mantenimiento a bordo.

Datos Generales

Nombre: AO "Almirante Montt"
Dotación: 139 personas.
Eslora: 206 Metros.
Manga: 29,69 Metros.
Calado: 11 Metros.
Velocidad: 20 nudos - 37 Kilómetros por hora.
Cubierta de vuelo.
 

http://infodefensa.com/lamerica/noticia ... ido-a-EEUU

[Lancero]

ThyssenKrupp May Sell Wharf to Abu Dhabi, FT Deutschland Says

By Oliver Suess

March 15 (Bloomberg) -- ThyssenKrupp AG wants to reach an agreement to sell shipbuilder Blohm & Voss to Abu Dhabi MAR Group “within the next days,” Financial Times Deutschland reported, without saying where it obtained the information.

The contracts will be signed next week at the latest and Abu Dhabi MAR will also buy HDW Gaarden, the civil operations of ThyssenKrupp’s Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft unit, the newspaper said. Abu Dhabi MAR will also bring two orders for warships worth 2.5 billion euros ($3.4 billion), FTD said.

ThyssenKrupp and Abu Dhabi MAR declined to comment when contacted by the newspaper, FTD said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Oliver Suess in Munich at http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid= ... 12RuQJDa2g

[SSK]

Submarine Type A26

A new generation Swedish submarines



  http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articl ... oject.html

Technical data

Length over all 63 m
Beam 6.4 m
Displacement 1900 tons submerged
Weapon armament Four 53 cm bow tubes + one flexible payload lock
Weapons Positive discharge or swim-out
Propulsion Single-shaft, diesel-electric and Stirling AIP
Submerged endurence Weeks
Hull Single pressure hull, two pressure tight compartments
Crew 17-26


The A26 Submarine - Key Features

* Designed for Littoral Operations and with Ocean Going Capability
* Stealth by Air Independence and Balanced Signature Properties
* Invulnerability through Verified Shock Resistance
* Flexible Payload Capability with Flexible Payload Lock System
* Network Connectivity
* Efficient through-life upgrades and adaptations through highly modular design

A26 Project Status

The Swedish Government has in December 2007 approved initiation of the design phase for a new generation of submarines.

Kockums is currently finalising the project definition phase of the A26 submarine for the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV). Preparations are ongoing together with FMV to enter into the design contract.

Os alemães já estão a tratar do novo U210.

[P44]

Caro SSK,

Esse U-210 será feito em parceria com os Suecos, ou será concorrente do novo projecto Sueco?

.....................


Entretanto, em Goa também já se constroem NPOs...

Goa Shipyard sails into elite league with ICGS Vishwast

Defence minister A K Antony will commission ?ICGS Vishwast’, the first of a new class of offshore patrol vessel (OPV)
indigenously designed and built by Goa Shipyard Ltd, on Wednesday.
The only vessel of this class in the world, GSL sources said ICGS Vishwast is primarily designed for patrolling and
policing maritime zones, search and rescue operations, maritime surveillance, anti-smuggling operations, pollution
response against oil spillage and external fire-fighting.
Ninety metres in length, the vessel has an integrated bridge system (IBS) equipped with a state-of-the art navigation
and communication equipment and is also provided with platform management system.
?After the commissioning ceremony to be held at GSL, ICGS Vishwast will join the fleet for safety of the nation‘s
maritime zones and offshore assets. GSL is justifiably proud of this milestone for the Coast Guard in the history of
Indian shipbuilding,? GSL CMD rear admiral Vineet Bakhshi told TOI on Monday.
Propelled by two MTU engines, the vessel will deliver a maximum speed of 26 knots and has an endurance of 4,500
nautical miles. ICGS Vishwast is capable of operating a helicopter and is equipped with a 30-mm gun.
The vessel, which shall be deployed extensively for safety of the nation‘s maritime zones and offshore assets, is
another feather in GSL‘s cap. GSL, had earlier built the 105 M advanced offshore patrol vessel (AOPV) for the Coast
Guard, the largest ever designed and constructed AOPV class of vessel in India.

Source : Times of India

[SSK]

Vai ser concorrente, mas está mais atrasado, as reuniões para definir as características começaram somente à 4 meses.

[P44]

Report: South Korean navy ship sinks
March 27, 2010 -- Updated 0303 GMT (1103 HKT)


The South Korean navy corvette Cheonan, similar to this ship, sunk after an explosion, Yonhap News Agency reports.

(CNN) -- A South Korean navy ship sank in the Yellow Sea near North Korea late Friday, and the navy shot at an unidentified ship toward the north, according to reports quoting South Korean government officials.

Yon-hap News Agency quoted Navy officials saying Friday that a ship carrying 104 crew members sank off the Seoul-controlled island of Baengnyeong in a flashpoint maritime border area between the Koreas.

The 1,500-ton Cheonan went down at 9:45 p.m. near the island, but the cause of the incident was not immediately known, the officials said.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak ordered a "quick and thorough" investigation Saturday into what caused the ship to sink, keeping in mind "all possibilities," his office said, according to Yonhap.

A rescue operation was under way, with the Navy telling Yonhap it had rescued 58 crew members but it feared others may be dead.

The South Korean government issued a statement saying the reason for the incident remains unclear, but it wasn't ruling out some sort of military engagement. An explosion had occurred in the rear of the ship, leaving a large hole in the ship's underwater hull, officials told Yonhap.

A U.S. State Department spokesman said Friday that there was no evidence North Korea was behind the incident.

"Let's not jump to conclusions here," said the spokesman, Philip J. Crowley, when asked about possible North Korean involvement. "I'm not aware of any evidence to that effect, but I think the authoritative source here would be the South Korean government."

Yonhap quoted South Korean naval officials as saying a South Korean vessel fired at a ship toward the north later.

However, South Korean government officials said it isn't certain whether North Korea was involved in the incident. Yonhap said local residents reported hearing gunfire for about 10 minutes.

As a result of the incident, South Korean government officials held an emergency meeting of ministers handling security-related matters, officials told Yonhap.

South Korea's Korean Broadcasting System said Navy vessels and helicopters were rescuing crew members, some of whom reportedly jumped into the sea after the blast, the KBS report said.

The official said the Sockcho, another South Korean navy vessel patrolling nearby, fired at unidentified ships north of the area.

U.S. military officials told CNN a South Korean vessel sank.

North Korea has said recently it is bulking up its defenses in response to recent joint South Korean-U.S. military drills, Yonhap reported. The news agency also quoted South Korean military officials saying North Korea conducted dozens of artillery firing drills Friday.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/03/26/south.korea.ship.sinking/index.html

[nelson38899]

Governo de Timor-Leste aprova construção de cais para as fragatas construídas na China   [ 2010-03-03 ]


Díli, Timor-Leste, 3 Mar - O governo de Timor-Leste aprovou a construção de um cais provisório no porto de Hera, para basear os navios-patrulha que estão a ser construídos na China, anunciou terça-feira em Díli fonte oficial.

De acordo com uma nota governamental, o Conselho de Ministros aprovou, em reunião extraordinária, "a abertura de um procedimento de aprovisionamento" para a construção de um cais transitório no porto de Hera.

"A construção deste cais transitório vem responder à necessidade urgente de existência de um cais de acostagem para as duas fragatas adquiridas recentemente pelo governo e que deverão chegar, em breve, a Timor-Leste", refere a nota, difundida pela Secretaria de Estado do Conselho de Ministros.

A compra das duas embarcações faz parte da estratégia de reestruturação da componente naval das Falintil - Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL), que tem todos os seus meios militares marítimos baseados em Hera, onde será agora construído o cais, a título transitório, já que o governo timorense tem projectada a construção de uma nova base naval.

O governo de Timor-Leste encomendou à China dois navios da classe “Shangai III”, com autonomia até 700 milhas e capazes de operar por longos períodos em alto mar.

O objectivo é que as duas embarcações melhorem o patrulhamento marítimo, reconhecido como vulnerável, sobretudo dentro da Zona Económica Exclusiva timorense, onde têm sido referenciadas actividades de pesca ilegal. (macauhub)
http://www.macauhub.com.mo/pt/news.php?ID=9019