This is a continuation of the article on Romanian frigates. The first part is HERE.
Back on the hike
After the once formidable Coventry with weapons at the level of a patrol boat went to the Romanians, it's time to test it on long trips. And the allies in the NATO bloc persistently reminded of the obligations of the member countries of the alliance. And with whom to fight on such a ship? Yes, except perhaps with an even weaker opponent!
And the Romanians sent their frigate "Regele Ferdinand" to the coast of Somalia, to protect the ships of the World Food Program, delivering food to the people of Somalia. At the same time, to scare impressionable Somali pirates.
Anti-piracy operation of the European Union "Atlanta"
The event was aimed at supporting the UN Security Council resolution adopted in 2008. The operation became the first joint naval operation of the European Union, also known as EU-NAVFOR (European Union Naval Force).
Operation Atlanta. September 16, 2012 the frigate "Regele Ferdinand", following in the Gulf of Aden, crossed the Bosphorus
Operation Atlanta. October 21, 2012 the frigate "Regele Ferdinand" crossed the equator
Operation Atlanta. November 21, 2012 "Regele Ferdinand" together with the Turkish frigate "Gemlik" patrol the coast of Somalia
Battle alarm! A submarine of unknown design was found in the area of maneuvers
Bah! They're Somali pirates! The deal promises to be profitable.
Right now, we will quickly dispossess them …
Citizens are pirates! Give up, you are surrounded! Throw knives and bullocks into the water …
Let me help … You are welcome to our hut!
Romanian customs.
- Do you have cigarettes, currency, gold?
- I am empty. There is nothing…
- And if I find it?
- Patient, how do you feel?
- Thank you, dear man! I haven't felt so good in my entire life …
We will tow the vessel further away - and the ends into the water!
… The fire occurred due to non-compliance with fire safety requirements … Pirates! They are illiterate …
Everyday life of the fighters of the Romanian special forces on board the frigate "Regele Ferdinand"
Another opinion about the state of the Romanian Navy
In the midst of the general cheers of patriotism and hatred, rumaniamilitary.ro published an article with the intriguing title “Shooting from a slingshot? Romanian Navy - piles of scrap metal. The sailors break the silence."
The author of the article, Razvan Mihaeanu, informs his readers that the affairs of the sailors are by no means brilliant. On the contrary, the state is catastrophic. The author refers to the confessions of a sailor from the frigate "Regina Maria", who wished to remain anonymous.
In March 2015, 12 ships, which are part of the 2nd NATO mine-sweeping group (SNMCMG 2), conducted joint exercises in the Black Sea. Ships from SNMCMG 2 practiced actions to combat enemy submarines, provide air defense of the ship group, as well as maneuver ships. The exercise was attended by 6 ships of the Romanian Navy, including the frigate "Regina Maria". The author of the article quotes a sailor from the frigate Maria, who informs him that the exercises turned out to be a complete failure:
Not all machine guns were able to fire and they were revived with the help of screwdrivers and some “Romanian mother”.
Then the ship, which was to simulate the attack on the frigate "Regina Maria" was informed that air support would arrive in 2 minutes.
But the support planes “showed up” with a delay of 20 minutes, and far from the given square …
This and not only this happened in front of the Romanian Defense Minister.
Defense Minister Mircea Dușa walked out of the exercise with his face twisted with anger.
He ordered to prepare lists of necessary repairs and send ships to shipyards and docks.
But I am sure that nothing will change, because a similar story repeats almost every time a ship leaves the sea.
Since “THIS” * became the main one, the Romanian fleet began to degrade before our eyes.
Every evening he gathers senior officers in the wardroom, where they get drunk as a lord.
And during the day they spit overboard and feed the fish and seagulls.
* Commander-in-chief of the Romanian Navy Tiberiu-Liviu Chondan. (Translator's note.)
Further, the Romanian author, referring to a telephone conversation with the Minister of Defense, concludes that “he is angry, but helpless”. As proof, the author quotes:
I actually ordered the preparation of repair documentation. The frigate will go through the second stage of modernization. I can't tell you anything more by phone, and I'm on maneuvers …
Enough time has passed since March 2015, but things are still there.
Moreover, despite the fact that most of the ships of the Romanian Navy are in urgent need of repairs, they participate in exercises like Sea Shield 2015.
Thus, the words of the sailor from the frigate "Regina Maria" are confirmed.
Personally, the situation reminds me of the story with the flagship of the Ukrainian Navy, the frigate Hetman Sagaidachny. (Translator's note.)
At the end of the article, the author informs the readers that in the event of a military conflict, Romania is only able to wage a guerrilla war.
So, out of 3 Romanian frigates, only one "Marasesti" (the brainchild of Ceausescu) is fully armed and equipped. True, outdated Soviet models. Anti-submarine missions are assigned to 3 deck-based Puma Naval helicopters.
In addition to its frigates, Romania can oppose 6 missile boats:
3 ships of project 1241 (code “Lightning”) F-188 Zborul, F-189 Pescăruşul and F-190 Lăstunul from the 150th missile corvettes division.
3 ships of Project 205 (code "Mosquito") F-202 Smeul, F-204 Vijelia and F-209 Vulcanul from the 50th patrol battalion.
The rest are unable to resist the combination of ships of a potential enemy (for example, the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy). Yes, and the above missile boats, like the Romanian frigates, are armed with outdated Soviet models.
The 150th division of missile corvettes also includes a battery of coastal anti-ship missile systems "Rubezh" consisting of 8 launchers.
In the event of a military conflict, the Romanian Navy can count on air support for some formations, namely:
86th Aviation Flotilla (Fetesti, on the Danube) consisting of the 861st and 862nd fighter squadrons (24 MiG-21 LanceR) and the 863rd helicopter squadron (10 attack transport helicopter IAR 330 L).
For strengthening, combat training aircraft can also be used: 6 IAR-99 and 8 IAR-99 Șoim (Shoim) from the 951st training squadron.
In the event of an invasion from the sea, the airspace will be guarded by two C-75M3 Volkhov anti-aircraft missile battalions.
The 307th Marine Brigade (Babadag, Dobrudzha Region) will be involved in the protection of coastal facilities.
The ground forces in that area will be represented by the 9th mechanized brigade “Marasesti” consisting of 6 battalions:
2 infantry battalions (341st and 911th), 912th Tank Battalion, 911th Artillery Battalion, 168th Support Battalion, 348th Air Defense Battalion.
The brigade is located in the area of Constanta and is subordinate to the 2nd Infantry Division.
The brigade's armament includes military equipment of the 70s, for example, the Soviet T-55 tanks and the Gepard SPAAG.
In short, “the enemy will not pass” …
Modernization example
The story of the flagship of the Chilean Navy "Almirante Williams" (FF-19) is very instructive. This ship is from the same Series 2 (Boxer subclass), Coventry's brother, now "Regina Maria". We are talking about the former British Navy frigate Sheffield (F96).
Both Sheffield (F96) and Coventry (F98) were built at the Swan Hunter shipyard. Moreover, both ships were ordered in 1982, laid down on the same day (1984-29-03), launched 10 days apart (in the spring of 1986), transferred to the Navy and put into operation in 1988. The British sold Sheffield to the Chilean Navy in 2003, when they sold 2 other ships of the same type to Romania (London and Coventry).
There are several conflicting opinions about the configuration in which the British sold Sheffield to the Chileans. I found several descriptions with a different composition of weapons and equipment. But it is known for certain that, before becoming the flagship, “Admiral Williams” went through several upgrades. Unlike Romania, in Chile, approval of frigate modernization projects took place without delay, and there was always money in the budget for the fleet.
The official website of the Chilean Armed Forces contains the following data:
Armament
1 universal 76, 2-mm naval gun mount “OTO Melara”.
2x launchers for anti-ship missiles "Harpoon" (4 containers each);
2x PU for Barak 1 ship-based air defense missiles (8 containers *);
2x automatic 20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns;
2x 3-pipe 324 mm TA Plessey STWS Mk 2;
4x 7, 62 mm machine guns.
* According to unconfirmed reports, there are 32 containers with Barak 1 missiles on the launcher.
Radar
1x Multipurpose two-coordinate radar Marconi type 967 / 967M;
1x Multipurpose three-coordinate S-band radar (2-4 GHz) Elta ELM-2238 3D-STAR series;
2x fire control radar Elta ELM-2221 STGR.
Electronic warfare means
2x 12-barreled 130-mm Terma SKWS passive jamming launchers.
Hydroacoustic complex
Sodgy GUS Type 2050.
Towed GAS Type 2031.
Aviation group
One helicopter AS 532SC Cougar (deck version of AS 332F1 Super Puma) from the French company Aerospatial is based on board the frigate "Admiral Williams".
The main purpose of the Chilean cougar deck helicopters is to conduct anti-ship and anti-submarine operations. To do this, depending on the situation, they can be equipped with the Exoset AM.39 anti-ship missiles or Mk. 46 in combination with submersible GAS. The helicopter can also be used as a special forces delivery vehicle, for search and rescue operations or for the evacuation of the wounded. For these purposes, helicopters provide the ability to mount an onboard boom with a winch.
Chilean Navy Cougar helicopter with suspended torpedoes Mk. 46
Helicopter Cougar Chilean Navy with suspended anti-ship missiles Exocet
Chilean Navy Cougar helicopter with side boom
The helicopters of the Chilean Navy are equipped with MX-15 optoelectronic reconnaissance stations from the L-3 Veskam company (Canada). The pilot's surveillance and flight system includes sets of night vision goggles that facilitate combat use in the dark. Also, the helicopters are equipped with ASSIST systems, which ensure the landing of machines in conditions of strong rolling.
According to unconfirmed reports, the AS 532SC Cougar helicopters are planning to replace (or purchase) the machines of the same company AS 365 Dauphin: successors to the SA 316 Alouette, which have been in service for about 40 years.
A few facts to compare
Chile's coastline is 6,435 km, while Romania's is only 256 km.
Romania has 3 frigates and 4 corvettes with a displacement of up to 1,500 tons. Armed with outdated Soviet models.
Frigates:
Regele Ferdinand (F-221).
Regina Maria (F-222).
Mărăşeşti (F-111).
Tetal-I class corvettes:
Amiral Petre Bărbureanu (F-260).
Vice-Amiral Eugen Roşca (F-263).
Tetal-II class corvettes:
Contra-Amiral Eustaţiu Sebastian (F-264).
Contra-Amiral Horia Măcelaru (F-265).
The Republic of Chile has 8 frigates, and they are fully armed:
Tipo 22.
FF-19 "Almirante Williams".
Tipo 23
FF-05 "Almirante Cochrane".
FF-06 "Almirante Condell".
FF-07 "Almirante Lynch".
Clase M
FF-15 "Almirante Blanco Encalada".
FF-18 "Almirante Riveros".
Clase L
FFG-11 "Capitán Prat".
FFG-14 "Almirante Latorre".
Chilean Navy frigates
On that note, I conclude a series of articles on Romanian frigates in the 21st century. I have given all the data that I could find and gave you food for thought. I would be grateful for additional information and comments.
The author would like to thank Bongo for the advice.
END OF SERIES.
