Feature 5 | FRIGATES, CORVETTES, DESTROYERS
– are fitted fore and aſt. It is very likely the LW-08 radar is an Indian, Bharat Electronics Ltd-built version known as the RAWL 02. Electro-optical devices may also be fitted as on the 77m corvettes. Gun armament comprises one Oto
The SSM launchers on Bayintnaung (shown here) are mounted one deck higher than on Anawratha.
have provided technical assistance with the programme. By 2008, construction was well
advanced and by 2009, the vessel had been launched. Outfitting was completed sometime in 2010. It is believed that this ship was commissioned earlier in 2011 as UMS Aung Zeya with pennant number F11. One internet report, Burma Military Watch, suggests that sea trials were not satisfactory but this cannot be confirmed. Other Burmese sources suggest another two frigates are under construction and that a total of eight are planned. Recently, a number of photographs
of the Aung Zeya have emerged on the internet, which provide additional details. Te frigate has a length of around 108m, a beam of around 14m and a 29m-long flight deck, though it lacks a hangar. Displacement is thought to be around 2500tonnes.
Aung Zeya bears some resemblance
to the 77m corvettes, but with some noticeable differences. The frigate is distinguished by a large lattice mast atop the three-decked superstructure and a single large funnel stack. The superstructure and funnel structure are separated by a space for the transversely mounted SSMs. Te funnel structure also houses a helicopter control room as well the barbettes for the aſt AK 630 CIWS mounts. Te frigate has two propellers and is thought to be powered by twin diesels, thought to be Chinese, Shaanxi- built Pielstick PA 16 STCs. Te hull has bilge keels. Sensors include an air search radar that
is strikingly similar to a Tales LW-08 radar, fitted atop the lattice mast, along with three mast-mounted navigation/ surface search radars. Two fire control directors – possibly China Type 347G
A total of eight frigates similar to Aung Zeya are believed to be planned.
Melara 76mm Super Rapid Gun mount and AK close in weapons (CIWS) systems – most likely AK 630 mounts – arrange fore and aſt. In addition, two gun mounts – possibly Type 58 with twin 14.5mm machine guns or 61 mounts with twin 25mm cannon – appear to be fitted high up on the superstructure on the same deck level as the bridge. Like the LW-08 radar set, the Oto Melara gun is likely to have been acquired from India. Two multi-barrelled anti-submarine warfare rocket
launchers – possibly
RBU 1200 – are visible on the foredeck along with an unidentified, trainable launcher behind the OTO gun mount. This may well be surface-to-air missile system seen on the 77m class corvettes. It is not readily apparent if a hull-mounted sonar is fitted or not, although the RBU launchers suggest a sonar system is needed to provide targeting data. Te primary long-range weapons are
SSMs, arranged transversely in two groups of two. Initially thought to be C-802 missile launchers, the circular launcher canisters suggest that these may be the much longer range C-602 missiles. An initial assessment is that the frigate
appears to be well-suited for anti-surface warfare (ASuW) missions but deficient in anti-air defences and electronic warfare systems, so limiting its role to that of a well-armed offshore patrol vessel. Burmese sources suggest that plans
are in place to build or acquire up to eight frigates, including others like Aung Zeya. In addition, there are unconfirmed reports that, in 2010, Myanmar acquired two Type053H1 light frigates fitted with C-802 missiles from China. Myanmar has unresolved disputes
over seabed mineral resources with neighbouring Bangladesh whose navy has five frigates including a modern, South Korean-built 2370tonne frigate with anti-air, ASW and ASuW capability. Myanmar’s frigate acquisition projects would go a long way towards achieving parity with the Bangladesh Navy. WT
24 Warship Technology January 2012
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36