steady course: naval capability development in sub ... · anything to go by - the navy appears to...

ihs.com

Article 1 of 15 © Copyright IHS and its affiliated and subsidiary companies, all rights reserved. All

trademarks belong to IHS and its affiliated and subsidiary companies, all rights reserved.

Jane's Navy International

[Content preview – Subscribe to Jane’s Navy International for full article]

Steady course: Naval capability development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Whether combating piracy at sea, securing coastlines and trade routes, or navigating relationships with

extra-regional powers, the navies of the Sub-Saharan Africa region face varied challenges over the next

decade. Martin Ewence assesses how some of these navies are meeting these challenges

The four ships commissioned by the Nigerian Navy on 19 February 2015. From left to right, the OPV Prosperity, the frigate Okpabana, the patrol craft Sagbama, and the patrol ship Centenary. (Reuben Abati, spokesperson for Goodluck Jonathan)

1631178

A detailed pattern of activity is emerging among some key navies in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, both in

terms of operational commitments and capability development. The navies of Nigeria, South Africa, and

Kenya face individual challenges, but also have in common a colonial past and a navy that is maturing

steadily each year. Their internal challenges are similar to many navies around the world: a fight for

financial resources within a diminishing defence allocation; and a fight to recruit and retain personnel,

when the realities of a less-than-comfortable lifestyle at sea struggle to compete with what is on offer

ashore.

Yet what is interesting is that each of these navies has, in the past few years, begun to exhibit a confidence

that previously had appeared to be lacking. Each has either procured or ordered new platforms, and each

is flexing its military and diplomatic muscles further from its own shores.

Although contrasting in levels of progress, countries across the African continent are catching up

economically with their European and Asian counterparts. Greater political stability has encouraged intra-

and international trade to increase, boosted by vast indigenous natural resources that have been fuelling

growing relations with a number of external actors - perhaps most notably China. Beijing continues to

ihs.com



invest hugely in Africa - but it is not alone, as everything from 'low-tech' mining to 'hi-tech'

communications benefits from external as well as internal investment.

However, there is plenty in what remains an unstable security environment that can hold back this growth.

The spectre of terrorism casts a shadow over countries such as Nigeria and Kenya. Piracy - contained (just)

for now in the Indian Ocean - remains largely unshackled in the Gulf of Guinea. Other forms of maritime

crime include oil theft (for example, in the Gulf of Guinea) and illegal fishing (a constant sore that affects

potential growth in unstable states such as Somalia).

[Continued in full version…]

Nigerian Navy

In December 2014, a notable first took place in Wuhan, China - home to a shipyard owned by the China

Shipbuilding and Offshore International Company (CSOC), part of one of China's state-owned shipbuilding

conglomerates. The flag on the Nigerian Navy's newest acquisition, NNS Centenary - the first of two P18N

offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) - was hoisted. With the second of these vessels due to be built partly in

Nigeria, this programme is significant for several reasons.

A computer-generated image, shown at IQPC's OPV Africa conference in 2013, of Nigeria's P18N OPV. The first vessel, Centenary, was built in Wuhan, China and was commissioned in Nigeria in February 2015. (CSOC)

1513611

Centenary is one of the first patrol ships China has exported to West Africa, and the arrangement is

indicative of the country's growing influence in the region. Beijing has other countries in its sights across

the continent as it seeks to build relationships with those able to supply raw materials now and in the

future. Potential access to Nigeria's abundance of high quality, easily obtained, light crude oil is a

tantalising prospect for Beijing. The deal also is proof of Nigeria's determination to modernise its fleet, as

exemplified also by the navy's quest since 2009 for federal government funding for its naval upgrade

programme. The timing is good, too, from a security perspective; the level of oil theft in and off the Niger

Delta remains high, Gulf of Guinea piracy continues, and the risk of Boko Haram activity spreading south

ihs.com



into maritime areas cannot be ignored. The deal also shows that Nigeria appears determined to build up its

own industrial base, as it prepares to collaborate on the building of the second-in-class. Finally, with the

move arguably being a statement that the navy is 'coming of age', the acquisition is an indication that

Nigeria wishes to move away from acquiring second-hand vessels.

As if to underline the new Nigerian determination to meet its security challenges head on, in February

2015 then pesident Goodluck Jonathan commissioned into service not just Centenary but three other

recently acquired ships, NNS Okpabana (the former US Coast Guard [USCG] cutter Gallatin ), NNS Sagbama

(a 38 m patrol craft, either domestically built or donated by China), and NNS Prosperity (the 65 m ex-Irish

OPV L E Emer ).

Such new capacity will be used to confront a number of the security issues Nigeria faces. With hundreds of

small refineries dotted around the Niger Delta, oil theft has increased significantly over the past 20 years.

Over USD7 billion of oil per year is stolen directly from the pipelines and transported offshore, either in its

crude or product form. Out in the Gulf of Guinea, classified as a high-risk area by the Lloyd's Joint War

Committee, hijack for cargo theft is a particular threat to tankers. A January 2015 report by Dryad Maritime

noted also the increasing risk to mariners of kidnap. The maritime piracy problem appears to be spreading

south, with examples of Nigerian pirates attacking tankers nearly 300 miles from the Nigerian coast.

In terms of equipment capabilities designed to deal with the offshore threats, the addition of the two new

OPVs will enhance the navy's capability. The vessels displace 1,800 tonnes and have a length of 95 m, a

beam of 12 m, and a draught of 3.5 m (shallow enough to allow inshore operations also). They are

powered by two MTU 20V 4000 diesel engines, giving a maximum speed of 21 kt and a 3000 n mile range

at 14 kt. They also have a 20-day endurance. With a crew of 70, they are fitted with a 76 mm gun and two

30 mm gun mounts. They can accommodate a helicopter on the flight deck, but the hangar is reported to

be big enough only for a rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

Looking to the future back in 2009, as reported in globalsecurity.org the then Chief of Naval Staff Vice

Admiral Ishaya Ibrahim stated that "for the navy to pursue its operational capacity that will enable

[Nigeria] to become one of the 20 strongest nations, it should procure [its intended] platforms in three

phases, namely short, medium, and long term measures".

The Adm noted that the time frame and content of these three phases would be:

- 0-2 years. Two light frigates, two 85 m patrol vessels, six 17 m Manta Mk II-class interceptor craft, six

Shaldag Mk II patrol craft, two 38 m fast patrol boats, two AW139 helicopters, one landing platform dock

(LPD) vessel, and two logistics ships.

- 2-5 years. Ten OPVs, 20 helicopters, one hydrographic ship, two training ships, two logistics ships, and

two mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs).

- 5-10 years. Three conventional submarines (SSKs), two corvettes, two LPDs, 20 long-range maritime

patrol helicopters, two training ships, and two more MCMVs.

During a speech at the US Navy's International Seapower Symposium in October 2009, Vice Adm Ibrahim

also underscored the government's commitment to the navy's cause, "The current government has

demonstrated a critical need and commitment to resuscitating the fleet through the acquisition of new

assets to meet the projected maritime security challenges in Nigeria," he said.

Nigeria's naval capability plan is a very ambitious programme, although - if the recent commissionings are

anything to go by - the navy appears to be realising some major parts of it. As noted in IHS Jane's Fighting

Ships , an Israeli-built Shaldag Mk II was delivered in June 2009. During 2013, the navy took delivery of

ihs.com



three French-built OCEA coastal patrol craft and by the end of that year had procured perhaps as many as

22 Manta Mk II craft, while the number of Shaldags had increased to four. The navy has also taken delivery

of a 38 m seaward defence boat.

Although secretive about its wider capabilities, the navy has a range of other vessels including the MEKO

Type 360 H1 frigate NNS Aradu and ex-Hamilton and Hero-class cutter NNS Thunder (formerly Chase ). It

has a number of fast patrol boats of French, German, and Singaporean origin, plus patrol boats, tenders,

and minesweepers from the United States and Italy.

The Nigerian Navy's ex-USCG cutter NNS Thunder, seen here at its transfer ceremony in California in May 2011. The vessel is part of a range of capabilities being introduced by the navy. (Mrityunjoy Mazumdar)

1394804


South African Navy

Like the Nigerian Navy, the naval arm of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) appears to have

the will to lead the way in regional capability development - but not, however, with quite the same

apparent budgetary freedoms. It has a proud naval heritage, with ships and personnel serving with

distinction during the First and Second World Wars. In 1944, at the peak of the Second World War, the

South African fleet consisted of 87 vessels. Post-war decommissioning gave way to a slow naval build-up

following the 1955 Simon's Town agreement with the United Kingdom. Key events were the acquisition of

several RN frigates and the construction of SAS Fleur in 1969 - the first warship to be designed and built in

South Africa - and the acquisition of French submarines in 1970. Further progress was curtailed from 1977,

due to the imposition of an arms embargo, after which time the navy's role became one largely of harbour

protection.

ihs.com



On Freedom Day (27 April) in 1994, the navy and the rest of the South African Defence Force (SADF)

became part of the new SANDF. A severe rationalisation took place across the armed forces after this, and

the navy appeared to bear the brunt.


South Africa's Valour-class MEKO frigates with the AgustaWestland Super Lynx 300 helicopter embarked is a combination said to have been very effective in counter-piracy operations. (Navy News)

1335162

Capability overview

According to the navy's 2006 maritime doctrine, South Africa would be involved in peace missions in the

African region for the foreseeable future. The doctrine emphasised also the need for pre-positioning land

forces at sea in order to have them readily available. This sea-basing approach offers sustainability and

support for the land forces, including logistics, medical, and command-and-control (C2) capabilities; all of

this can be drawn on at times of natural disasters. The doctrine recognises that the navy currently lacks

sufficient resources for effective surveillance and patrol of its maritime areas of responsibility. In order to

close this capability gap, it proposes that the navy requires:

- A sealift/combat support capability. In order to provide the required support facilities, it proposes that an

LPD would be the most appropriate platform.

- A maritime surveillance capability. Maritime patrol aircraft are viewed as still effective, but greater use

could be made of UAVs, including in conjunction with maritime agencies and with other stakeholders such

as police forces.

ihs.com



- Multipurpose hulls. The navy needs vessels capable of performing a wide range of tasks, from traditional

warfighting to MCM to diving. Collaborating on such vessels with other African nations in order to reduce

cost certainly is of interest to the navy.

This is a straightforward and reasonable shopping list for any navy, like the South African Navy, which not

only has national responsibilities to fulfil (for example, providing security for its coastline and trade routes)

but also sees itself having a role on the world stage (such as in counterpiracy in the Indian Ocean).

In terms of the navy's development, opinion in South African military circles is that the navy was a major

beneficiary of a large defence acquisition programme started some 15 years ago, getting four new Valour-

class MEKO A-200 SAN frigates (contract signature in 1999) and three new Type 209/1400 SSKs (contract

signature in 2000). The submarines were designed and built in Germany as were the frigates, although the

Valour class includes South African components and systems. The four frigates have the Oto Melara 76/62

Compact gun, the indigenous Umkhonto surface-to-air missile, and supporting sensors. They are also able

to embark South African Air Force Super Lynx 300 helicopters. The Super Lynx/frigate combination is said

to have been very effective in counter-piracy operations.

In terms of the navy's development, the 'sitrep' is probably 'so far so good'. The navy has an inventory of

modern ships and submarines that are able to provide suitably focused capability for tasks such as coastal

and SLOC protection, C2 support for land operations, and a contribution to operations overseas. The

vessels' reliability also gives the navy more options than it previously had. There are still some elements of

the fleet which are relatively older, such as the fleet replenishment ship SAS Drakensberg (which arrived in

1987), the last Hecla-class hydrographic vessel SAS Protea (1972), and the River-class minehunters from the

1980s. Three of the four Warrior-class OPVs are former large missile boats converted to the patrol role,

with new navigation radars and an improved boarding capability.

South Africa's second of three Type 209/1400 SSKs Charlotte Maxeke and the fleet replenishment ship SAS Drakensberg. Drakensberg has made a prominent contribution to counter-piracy operations. (Navy News)

1335157

ihs.com



Yet despite the age range of its fleet, the navy has been able to meet its international exercise obligations.

For example, over the past three years, it has participated in manoeuvres with the Argentine, Brazilian,

French, German, Indian, and Uruguayan navies. It has also participated in an exercise with the US Army,

the US Marine Corps, and the US Air National Guard, supporting an amphibious landing and deploying its

Maritime Reaction Squadron - an amphibious, diving, and small boat capability.


South Africa's Warrior-class OPV SAS Isaac Dyobha, seen here off Simon's Town, South Africa. The OPVs have made an important contribution to the navy's Operation 'Copper' counter-piracy activity in the Mozambique Channel. (IHS/Patrick Allen)

1195592

Kenyan Navy

In 2012, the same year as the Nigerian Navy began taking delivery of new platforms, the Kenyan Navy

received its largest patrol ship, KNS Jasiri (ordered in 2003, and delivered complete and with a fully trained

crew).

ihs.com



Kenya's patrol ship KNS Jasiri. The vessel was received in 2012 and was almost immediately involved in operations. (Kenyan Ministry of Defence)

1629838

The timing of Jasiri 's arrival was ideal. As reported in Defence Web, shortly afterwards the ship took part in

the battle for the Somali port city of Kismayo, contributing with others in providing fire support and then

landing troops, weapons, ammunition, and vehicles ashore. Within hours of the troops landing, Al-Shabaab

militants announced that they had abandoned the city - their last major stronghold in the five-year fight

against African Union and Somali government forces.

The Kenyan Navy's largest ship, Jasiri weighs 1,000 tonnes, is 85 m long, and 12.2 m in beam. Information

on its equipment fit is limited, but it is understood that small machine guns have been installed since 2012.

As reported previously by IHS Jane's , the ship was delivered as a survey ship; it will require additional

military retrofitting in due course. Nevertheless, Jasiri gives the navy a long-needed ability to operate

further out to sea, although its size and draught is likely to limit it to operating in the inter-monsoon

period.

In addition to Jasiri , by 2012 the navy comprised:

- Two Shupavu-class large patrol boats. These vessels, bought from Spain in 1997, are armed with 76 mm

and 30 mm guns. However, they are understood to have limited operational capability in heavier sea

states, and have faced maintenance challenges.

- Up to six IPVs (including two 57 m Nyayo-class Vosper Thorneycroft vessels).

- 12 support vessels including patrol boats, landing ships, and tugs.

The ex-French Navy P400-class patrol boat La Rieuse was handed over to the Kenyan Navy on 7 June 2011 at a ceremony in Réunion. The vessel has been re-named KNS Harambee II. (French Navy)

1394808


Tanzanian Navy

ihs.com



Google Earth imagery of Kigamboni naval base on 13 March 2015 shows Tanzania's two new Haiqing-class patrol boats moored alongside the floating jetty. (Google Earth/DigitalGlobe)

1634535

Despite being one of the smallest maritime forces in the region, the Tanzanian Navy is also showing a

willingness to grow. It is another navy building links with China too. As reported by IHS Jane's in May 2015,

two new Haiqing-class patrol vessels, TNS Mwitongo and TNS Msoga (supplied by China's Poly

Technologies), were commissioned at the Kigamboni Command's base in Dar es Salaam in April 2015.

Other vessels in its operational inventory are:


Conclusion

The countries of Sub-Saharan Africa face a broad range of threats, and a number have started to address

these threats in a more developed manner. Such threats range from low-level theft inshore to the

potential use of heavy weapons against shipping and installations a long way offshore. Political instability

has enabled terrorism to grow, with terrorist groups often crossing regional borders by sea.

Greater wealth, either from raw materials or external investment, has led to a growing confidence amongst

certain countries; this is evidenced by the purchase of more capable military hardware. Equipment is being

procured that matches the threats. The major countries in question - Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya - all

appear to be taking an increasingly intelligent view on the application of such equipment.

Where do they go from here, however? All appear to have a strategy, but the new equipment purchases

are in very small quantities and need to be matched by further acquisitions that complement those already

made and provide a degree of redundancy. A coherent force package that is able to deal with current

threats, as well as those that are likely to emerge in the next 10 years, is a challenge for any navy and

requires considerable thought and experimentation. This raises the question of whether the countries in

question are making such plans.

ihs.com




The Royal Canadian Navy's Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec en route to Mombasa, Kenya, to refuel and prepare for a mission to escort food relief ships to Somalia. (Royal Canadian Navy)

1335650


Copyright © IHS Global Limited, 2015

For the full version and more content:

For advertising solutions contact the IHS Jane’s Advertising team

IHS Jane's Defence Industry and Markets Intelligence Centre

This analysis is taken from IHS Jane’s Defence Industry & Markets Intelligence Centre, which

provides world-leading analysis of commercial, industrial and technological defence developments,

budget and programme forecasts, and insight into new and emerging defence markets around the

world.

IHS defence industry and markets news and analysis is also available within IHS Jane’s Navy

International. To learn more and to subscribe to IHS Jane’s Navy International online, offline or

print visit http://magazines.ihs.com/.

http://www.ihs.com/products/janes/advertising/defence-security/index.aspx

http://www.ihs.com/jdim

http://www.ihs.com/products/janes/defence-business/news/navy-international.aspx

http://magazines.ihs.com/

steady course: naval capability development in sub ... · anything to go by - the navy appears to...

Documents