GRSE to Export 2 Light Frigates to the Philippines

[Gessler]

NEW DELHI — In a major win for the Indian warship building industry, India's state-run Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd has emerged as the winner for Philippine Navy's big-ticket modernization program.

GRSE was the lowest bidder to supply two light frigates and hopes to seal the contract worth more than $321 million in the next two months, said one GRSE official.

A total of four firms joined the bidding for the Philippine Navy project:

• GRSE;

• Hyundai Heavy Industries Inc. and

• Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd., both from South Korea;

• and Navantia S.A. of Spain.

GRSE, administered by the Indian Ministry of Defence, has built 95 warships, including frigates, corvettes and fast patrol boats, since 1960.

GRSE's light frigate will be a design based on the Indian Navy's Kamorta-class anti-submarine corvette and will be capable of withstanding Sea State 7, which means it can withstand a wave height of up to 9 meters.

The 2,000-tonne frigate will be 95 meters long, have a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) configuration propulsion system and be able to work in an area contaminated with nuclear, biological, and chemical agents.

In addition, it will have a tactical data link and radio capable of tactical communication. The frigates will have 76mm naval guns and fire control radar with a built-in electro-optical tracking system integrated into the Combat Management System (CMS).

The state-owned Goa Shipyard is also building two OPVs for the Sri Lankan Navy under India's government-to-government exchange agreement with Sri Lanka. First OPV will be delivered by end of this year and second OPV by middle of next year.

http://www.defensenews.com/story/de...e-export-light-frigates-philippines/84280572/

Comments : There is no mention of cruise missile armament or any kind of surface-to-air capability. It is highly likely that these installations (together with most of the radar+electronics) will be the choice of the customer country - depending on their requirements & budget.

A displacement of 2,000 tons means that these Light Frigates are actually smaller than the Project-28 Kamorta-class ASW corvette on which they're supposed to be based, which displaces around 3,400 tons. Either way, if true, this contract would be a significant victory for India's defence production & export aspirations.