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Continental Defence Corvette

TKMS was floating the idea of giving it's MEKO A-100 design to a Canadian shipyard which didn't get included in their submarine bid.

Wonder if there's a chance they're still open to the idea, with this information becoming public.

[CBC]Push for co-operation among European shipbuilders could have Canadian ripple effect


Reading that internet article: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/submarines-germany-canada-corevettes-warships-9.7308142 … which speculates that TKMS could license a Canadian modifed Meko A-100, had me speculating on what equipment Canada could chose (for a Continental Defence Corvette) for such if a TKMS Meko A-100 was chosen. First I note such a corvette/light-frigate is likely not very Arctic capable (compared to the lightly armed Harry de Wolf class). Still, for a very very very speculative heavily armed possibility (where I attempted to select some commonality with both past (Halifax class) and future RCN (River class) warships some ideas:

  • Main Gun : Mk3 Bofers 57mm
  • Secondary/CIWS: 2 x MSI-DS Mk38 Mod-4 30mm stabilized auto canon (one port, one starboard)
  • Antiship missiles: 2 x single-quad Kongsberg Naval Strike missiles (one port, one starboard)
  • Air Defence: 8 cell (4x2 grid) Mk-41 VLS – Tactical Length
  • Torpedoes : 2 x twin 324mm auto-loaded torpedo tubes (for Mk 54 MAKO torpedo)
  • Surveillance/Air Search : Thales NS-100 AESA
  • Firecontrol Radar : Thales STIR 1.2
  • Nav/Surface Radar: the AN/SPS-73(V)18 Next Generation Surface Search Radar (NGSSR)
  • Sonar (HMS): Ultra Electronics S2150
  • Sonar (Towed array): Thales CAPTAS-2
  • Underwater decoy: Ultra Electronics Sea Sentor S2170 Surface Ship Torpedo Defence (SSTD)
  • EO/Optical : SPEIR
  • Combat Management System : CMS330
  • ESM: SLQ-32
  • ECM: MASS and LEED
  • Sigint: Strongbow (SRD-506)
  • Flight deck and hanger for UAV/UAS
Again above 100% speculation. SPECULATION !!

Obviously, I think, the above is probably much heavier armed than RCN would go for in a continental defence corvette, but it was interesting to pick and choose, for the sole purpose of speculation.
 
Reading that internet article: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/submarines-germany-canada-corevettes-warships-9.7308142 … which speculates that TKMS could license a Canadian modifed Meko A-100, had me speculating on what equipment Canada could chose (for a Continental Defence Corvette) for such if a TKMS Meko A-100 was chosen. First I note such a corvette/light-frigate is likely not very Arctic capable (compared to the lightly armed Harry de Wolf class). Still, for a very very very speculative heavily armed possibility (where I attempted to select some commonality with both past (Halifax class) and future RCN (River class) warships some ideas:

  • Main Gun : Mk3 Bofers 57mm
  • Secondary/CIWS: 2 x MSI-DS Mk38 Mod-4 30mm stabilized auto canon (one port, one starboard)
  • Antiship missiles: 2 x single-quad Kongsberg Naval Strike missiles (one port, one starboard)
  • Air Defence: 8 cell (4x2 grid) Mk-41 VLS – Tactical Length
  • Torpedoes : 2 x twin 324mm auto-loaded torpedo tubes (for Mk 54 MAKO torpedo)
  • Surveillance/Air Search : Thales NS-100 AESA
  • Firecontrol Radar : Thales STIR 1.2
  • Nav/Surface Radar: the AN/SPS-73(V)18 Next Generation Surface Search Radar (NGSSR)
  • Sonar (HMS): Ultra Electronics S2150
  • Sonar (Towed array): Thales CAPTAS-2
  • Underwater decoy: Ultra Electronics Sea Sentor S2170 Surface Ship Torpedo Defence (SSTD)
  • EO/Optical : SPEIR
  • Combat Management System : CMS330
  • ESM: SLQ-32
  • ECM: MASS and LEED
  • Sigint: Strongbow (SRD-506)
  • Flight deck and hanger for UAV/UAS
Again above 100% speculation. SPECULATION !!

Obviously, I think, the above is probably much heavier armed than RCN would go for in a continental defence corvette, but it was interesting to pick and choose, for the sole purpose of speculation.
Like the Vard unsolicited proposals, as you say this is highly speculative, and I expect we will see more and more of these concepts appearing in the media. Right now there is no real capacity identified to build them, the project is not in the strategic planning, not funded, and not an approved procurement program. At this stage, it is essentially a small project office gathering information and developing the requirements that could eventually lead to an RFI.

Even if an RFI is released, that does not mean Vard or any other unsolicited proposal is what Canada would buy. There are plenty of other designs out there, including some arguably much better suited to what the RCN may ultimately require. The other enormous issue is crewing. The RCN would need a major change in personnel numbers, training and crewing models before adding another class of combatant in meaningful numbers.

So no, I would not expect to see these ships anytime soon. Ten years away would be optimistic, and that assumes the project actually gets approved, funded and survives the long list of other defence priorities competing for people and money.
 
The other enormous issue is crewing. The RCN would need a major change in personnel numbers, training and crewing models before adding another class of combatant in meaningful numbers.

Yes - I agree this is a major issue. The RCN will have a massive challenge (saying this politely) to both man and maintain its existing ships and submarines, and still at the same time attempt to procure the replacement submarines and warships. ... and the RCN, I suspect, are not alone in this regard, where I suspect the RCAF and Canadian Army face similar issues. ... I sincerely hope they all can meet the challenge. While 'exciting', also incredibly difficult times ahead for them. They have my best wishes.
 
Yes - I agree this is a major issue. The RCN will have a massive challenge (saying this politely) to both man and maintain its existing ships and submarines, and still at the same time attempt to procure the replacement submarines and warships. ... and the RCN, I suspect, are not alone in this regard, where I suspect the RCAF and Canadian Army face similar issues. ... I sincerely hope they all can meet the challenge. While 'exciting', also incredibly difficult times ahead for them. They have my best wishes.
We have the runway to deal with this address of crewing.
 
You cant man ships you don't have, you cant recruit, train and then "retain" men and women if you don't have ships for them to operate.
What the Navy Reserve has accomplished over the past 20 or so years has been pretty remarkable. It has had a few hiccups along the way. Give them a ship with a real guns, missiles and underwater gear and see what happens.

5 Corvettes each coast. Staffed by Reservists. Pick up on the schedule hole left by the MCDVs.
If the ship is tied up for a month or so then so be it. They may not provide a 100% solution for Canadian Defense, they can can provide a 70-80% which is better than 0%.
 
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