HTMS Ang Thong 791 the first LPD of the Royal Thai Navy (photo :TAF)
This space can also be used to accommodate refugees, casualties, field
hospitals and even military headquarters. Secondly, such vessels provide
a platform to move personnel and equipment rapidly en masse from beyond
the horizon to the shore. A lack of shore facilities and ports present
few problems for both landing craft and amphibious support ships as they
are designed to operate with austere facilities and can often disgorge
their cargoes without any shore assistance. Despite their utility,
modernization efforts for these vessels are following a halting and
piecemeal path in the Asia-Pacific region; several navies continuing to
operate ageing vessels and have no immediate plans to perform their
replacement.
Australia
Canberra class LHD (photo :forumdefesa)
One exception to this rule is Australia. The country is performing an
important expansion of its amphibious capabilities in the form of the
two ‘Canberra’ class Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) which it is acquiring
from Spanish shipbuilder Navantia. Both of these vessels will be
commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) by 2015. When
fully-loaded the ‘Canberra’ class ships displace 27,851 tonnes. They can
achieve a top speed 20.5 knots and accommodate up to four Landing Craft
Air-Cushioned (LCAC) vehicles in their dock plus up to 24 helicopters.
The RAN design includes a ski-jump augmenting the flight deck to allow
the operation of Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning-II Joint Strike Fighter
Short Take-Off/Vertical Landing combat aircraft in the future. It
almost goes without saying that the acquisition of these ships
represents a major improvement in the RAN’s capabilities allowing the
country to not only project power a significant distance beyond its
borders, but to perform a commanding role in military operations other
than war; notably the provision of humanitarian assistance in the wake
of natural disasters.
Once underway, these ships can sustain themselves at sea for up to 50
days before they require replenishment. The space which these ships
accommodate provides 830 lane metres for heavy and light vehicles and
room for over 1,000 troops. The advent of the ‘Canberra’ class is
occurring alongside the supply of twelve LCM-1E fast landing craft from
Navantia. These vessels will replace the RAN’s existing amphibious
support ships which includes one ‘Choules’ class Dock Landing Ship
(LSD), six ‘Balikpapan’ class Heavy Landing Craft (LCH), and single
‘Tobruk’ class Heavy Landing Ship (LSH).
Indonesia
Makassar class LPD (photo :kaskus militer)
Perhaps
unsurprisingly because of the size of its archipelago, Indonesia
maintains a large amphibious support force. Large vessels in this fleet
include the single 'Tanjung
Dalpele' LSD and its four ‘Makassar’ class LPDs. The LST fleet
comprises six ‘Teluk Semangka’, twelve ‘Teluk Gilimanuk’ and two ‘Teluk
Cirebon’ class ships. Finally, twelve LCUs supplement these vessels. It
does not appear that the Indonesian Navy is performing any additional
expansion or modernization of its amphibious support fleet either
present, nor is it expected to in the near future;
Malaysia
Ex KD Sri Inderapura (photo : Azri Zainul)
The
Republic of Korea Navy is not the only force in the Asia-Pacific region
operating a mix of ex-US Navy landing craft. The Royal Malaysian Navy
has one ex-US Navy LST which complements five LCMs, 15 LCPs, four LCUs
and 165 ‘Damen’ class assault craft. This fleet may undergo an
enhancement via the procurement of the Multi-Role Support Ship vessels
in coming years.
Burma
LCM 1613, newest coastal land craft mechanized of Myanmar navy (photo : Myawady)
A
modernization could also be in the offing over the long term for the
Burmese Navy, which uses four LCUs and ten ex-US Navy LCMs, particularly
as the country is now emerging from prolonged international isolation
following the commencement of its process of democratization.
Philippines
LST 501 BRP Laguna (photo : mbb8356)
While the
Pakistan Navy may lack a major amphibious capability, the same cannot be
said of Philippines Navy which has a fleet of two vehicle landing
ships, five LSTs, two LCUs, the same number of LCMs and up to ten
auxiliary vessels.
Singapore
Endurance class LPD (photo : RSN)
Interestingly,
despite the size of the nation, the Republic of Singapore Navy retains a
formidable amphibious force. The largest combatants in this respect are
the four ’Endurance’ class LPDs which are the largest surface
combatants in the fleet. When fully loaded, these ships displace 8,500
tonnes and can reach a speed in excess of 15 knots. Four landing craft
can be carried on davits with the ship able to accommodate up to 18
tanks, 20 vehicles plus cargo and 500 troops. On the flight deck,
helicopters of Boeing CH-47F Chinook size can be comfortably
accommodated with the hangar able to house up to two medium-lift utility
helicopters. The ‘Endurance’ class vessels are complemented by six LCMs
and 30 LCUs.
Vietnam
HQ-521, newest landing craft of Vietnamese Navy (photo : ttvnol)
Similarly,
over the long term the Vietnamese Navy may choose to enhance its
amphibious capabilities. The fleet includes three ex-Russian ‘Polnocny’
class landing vessels, and a total of six ex-US Navy LSTs and LSMs which
are reinforced with a total of 24 LCM and LCUs, also drawn from ex-US
Navy stocks.
Market Developments
HMNZS Canterbury L-421 multi role vessel of the Royal New Zealand Navy (photo : Bob Leask)
Apart
from a few notable exceptions such as the RAN’s’s acquisition of its
‘Canberra’ class ships, the market for amphibious support vessels and
landing craft in the Asia-Pacific region appears to be largely stagnant.
Much of the combined fleet in the region is old, and notably drawn from
ex-US Navy and ex-Russian stocks. Large-scale procurements are few and
far between. This is surprising given the security concerns throughout
much of this region, and the large-scale humanitarian tragedies that
this part of the world has witnessed in recent years.
Spanish
Shipbuilder Navantia which is building the RAN’s ‘Canberra’ class ships
has observed this trend noting that; “We don’t think that there is a
renewed demand for amphibious vessels in Asia-Pacific” in a statement
from the company supplied to the Asian Military Review. Where demand is
being witnessed, the company argues that this is being driven by; “The
necessity of having better resources to face humanitarian missions and
also to protect national sovereignty with this type of vessel.” The
company adds that there are factors which may slow or dampen amphibious
vessel acquisition efforts in this region which it cites as; “The
current economical and financial crisis,” believing that this will
“probably have a big impact on future programs.” Where vessels are
either being either acquired, or where requirements are being expressed,
Navantia says that navies are typically looking to procure ships
upwards of 10,000 tons in displacement built to an LPD configuration.
Navantia
expects that requirements for such a vessel could emerge in Malaysia
over the medium term, with the Philippines also possibly acquiring an
LPD-sized combatant in the short term. Ultimately, the company does not
believe that the dynamic being experienced in the Asia-Pacific region
regarding amphibious capabilities is notably different from any other
region of the world: “Many countries are expecting to increase their
capacities with LPDs or LHDs in the future,” it adds, “Firstly, because
their existing fleets are sometimes more than 20 years old. That means
that they must think about replacements, while other countries may
desire to purchase new units.”
See Full Article : Asian Military Review
