美國更新四艘基德艦售台
8月 3日 星期日 17:45 更新

英國珍氐國防周刊說，美國海軍批出八百一十萬美元合約給VSE公司更新四艘基德(Kidd)級驅逐艦，以便售予台灣。

這是去年美國總統布殊(相關網站)同意售台的其中的軍備，估計第一艘基德艦零五年在台灣服役。

美商ＭＰＨ公司總經理柯狄克昨天前往中船基隆廠參觀，評估投資中船的可行性。他認為中船頗具投資價值，尤其是高雄、基隆兩廠位於台灣南北兩端，對台灣的國家安全相當重要。中船公司董事長徐強表示，目前開放符合資格且有興趣的國內外廠商評估，這只是第一家參觀的廠商。

ＭＰＨ集團由洛克希德馬丁為首的多家美國國防工業廠商和造船廠合組，爭取參與中船的經營。根據經濟部規畫，中船民營化將採洽特定人投資方式進行，第一階段將釋出六成股權，三成給國外投資者，另外三成移轉給國內投資者

柯狄克看了基隆廠的設施並和基隆廠高階幹部座談後，他覺得以中船公司現況來看，頗具投資價值，要不是政府規定投資比率上限，他覺得百分之百的投資都可以。

柯狄克說，他曾在美國海軍服務過一段時間，對台灣的海軍也有些了解，就國家安全角度而言，台灣海軍南北兩地都需要修造船基地，中船公司就可以提供這樣的服務；最讓他感到興趣的是中船公司不但能造艦，還能造商船，功能相當完整，由於商船訂單有淡旺季之分，軍艦訂單恰可補足淡季的空檔，讓中船公司可以完全發揮效能。

Express News Service
Mumbai, August 6: Some of the 1970s-built Russian kilo-class submarines owned by the Indian Navy will now undergo an upgrade as part of the navy’s modernisation programme.

Commodore Uday N Chitanavis on Wednesday said that while kilo-class submarines INS Sindhu Kesari and INS Sindhu Ratna had been made missile capable, submarine Sindhu Ghosh was undergoing refitting work in Russia to be transformed into a missile-capable underwater vessel.

With the ongoing upgradation, the submarines, which could initially fire torpedoes, will now also be able to fire missiles in the range of 100 to 250 kms.

Asked if there was a possibility of India acquiring a nuclear-powered sub, Commodore Chitnavis said ‘‘We do have the capability of building one. However it’s a political decision.’’

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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/xml/uncomp/articleshow?msid=117350
Indian subs to pick up lung power
SOMIT SEN AND OLAV ALBUQUERQUE

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ THURSDAY, AUGUST 07, 2003 12:31:54 AM ]

MUMBAI: One of Indias favourite underwater creatures is likely to take evolutionary leaps. The lung power of diesel-electric submarines of the Indian Navy may go up manifold as there are plans to introduce a new technology, air-independent propulsion (AIP), which will help these submarines stay under water longer, senior naval officers told TNN on Wednesday.

The upgraded submarines will be able remain submerged without refuelling for a month. At present, the navy has 16 conventional submarines which can remain under water for maximum three days on a battery.

The upgradation cost will be between Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 crore per submarine, sources said. The production cost of a conventional submarine is about Rs 1,200 crore.

The navy had recently conducted a feasibility study on three types of AIP submarines used worldwide. These included the closed-cycle diesel engines developed in Germany, the UK and the Netherlands, the Swedish stirling-cycle heat engines, and the German fuel-cells system.After the study, the navy seems likely to use the third one.

Incidentally, Pakistan has chosen the closed-cycle variety for its Agosta 90B submarines. The other strike-force option, nuclear submarines— which India currently does not possess—seem to be in a different league. They can remain submerged indefinitely.

But the production cost of such a submarine is nearly Rs 9,000 crore. The maintenance costs are also high, a senior officer said.Also, countries such as the US are not willing to share their design with the Indian Navy, according to sources.

A submariner’s profile

Any naval officer of the rank of a sub-lieutenant and above can volunteer to become a submariner. But they are selected on the basis of their mental adaptability to adjust to an alien environment for extended periods of time.

They have to undergo several psychological tests before being sent on a sixmonth rigorous training at Vishakhapatnam. A submariner is distinguished from other naval officers by the Dolphin badge donned on the left side of his uniform.

Recently, submariners in Indian Navy sailed for as long as 60 days at a stretch. While on long deployments, the crew is provided with “ready to eat’’ meals which includes a high content of vitamin D since submariners have no exposure to sunlight.

One of two primary hydraulics systems that power the aircrafts flight controls failed on aircraft number 21 during a routine flight above Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. But a backup system automatically activated and the pilot landed the aircraft safely, V-22 program spokesman Ward Carroll said.

Government and industry experts have been assembled to find the cause of the failure, but the program already has ruled out two previous system flaws: hydraulic line chafing and defective titanium tubes, Carroll said.

The V-22 program has battled a series of hydraulic system failures, including a leak that led to a December 2000 crash in North Carolina which killed four Marines. In March, the V-22 fleet was grounded for eight days after the program discovered a manufacturer had supplied defective titanium tubes used in the hydraulics system (DAILY, March 19).

In this case, however, V-22 officials pointed to the safe landing of the aircraft as a sign that the programs efforts to improve the design of the hydraulics system are working.

The airplane performed as advertised with regard to pilot warning indications and the number three [hydraulics] system picking up the load to effect a safe landing, Carroll said, adding it was a good news story for the program.

One prominent critic of the program disagreed.

What I would still wonder, though, is, What is the cause of this particular incident? Philip Coyle, former director of the Office of Test and Evaluation, told The DAILY. How is it after 2.5 years of work here that were still having this problem? That, I think, is the most important question. What does it say about the developmental work?

A month before the North Carolina crash, Coyles office published a report noting that failures related to the [V-22] hydraulic system deserve special mention. The system had suffered 170 failures during an 804.5-hour operational evaluation, according to the report.

Those conclusions and the results of the crash investigation prompted the V-22 program to redesign the spacing of the hydraulic lines and electrical wiring within the two engine nacelles.

Carroll said program officials believe the latest system failure had nothing to do with the changes made in the aftermath of the North Carolina crash.

Still, the hydraulic systems long history of troubles worries Coyle, who finds the persistent problems rare for even developmental aircraft.

You dont hear about hydraulic failures that often with developmental aircraft, Coyle said. Not like with the V-22 and not at the root of a fatal crash.

The Aug. 4 incident occurred deep into the aircrafts flight plan. The flight test - described as a pilot training event - began at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The pilot was flying patterns above Quantico at the time of the hydraulics failure, Carroll said.

Coincidentally, the programs leadership changed hands Aug. 4. In a succession ceremony, Marine Col. Daniel Schultz stepped down as program manager, replaced by his deputy, Air Force Col. Craig Olson.

Production slowed

The latest hydraulic investigation is being launched a week after the Pentagons top acquisition official decided to slow the V-22s production rate during the next two years.

Michael Wynne, acting undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, ordered the program to maintain a minimum sustaining production rate of 11 aircraft in fiscal 2005, and produce only 17 aircraft in FY 06, or three fewer than the Navy was programmed to buy.

Wynne, however, agreed to launch a multi-year procurement deal one year earlier in FY 07, and increase production rates in later years.

The postponed V-22 delivery rate frees about $230 million the Navy will use to invest in cost reduction initiatives and the integration of a network communications system, sources told The DAILY.

Coyle suggested, however, that some of the extra funding may need to be diverted to pay for any design changes required by the results of the hydraulics failure investigation.

中共海洋科學調查船向陽紅十四號前晚現蹤台灣南部海域，海軍及海巡署出動船艦監控，海巡艇人員曾試圖攔查，因風浪大等因素未執行。向陽紅十四號人員透過國際通訊頻道聲稱該船在作業，要監控船艦走開；我方懷疑該船從事間諜活動，持續監控四個多小時，直到對方遠離我方領海。

海軍前天發現向陽紅十四號在蘭嶼外海活動，即由西寧艦及成功艦前往監控。當晚九時卅分過後，向陽紅十四號逐漸逼近鵝鑾鼻南方廿四浬的我方禁制水域內，海軍通知海巡署派船艦加入監控。

海巡署海洋巡防總局恆春分隊海巡艇、直屬船隊巡護船「巡護五號」就近趕往，前往南海執行護漁任務的南部機動海巡隊「澎湖艦」也緊急待命，準備隨時攔截。

向陽紅十四號速度時快時慢，巡護五號海巡艇全速追趕，一個多小時後雙方距離從十多浬縮短到二浬左右。深夜十一時，海巡艇緊追著時速高達廿七點六節的向陽紅十四號往南開。

海巡署人員打算上船檢查，但風浪大，加上向陽紅十四號約三千噸，噸位遠大於海巡艇，海巡署人員根本無法靠近登船。海巡署恆春分隊部後來指示不要登船檢查，但持續監控。向陽紅十四號人員透過國際通訊頻道，聲稱是在海測作業，請海巡署人船離開，以免發生意外。

海巡艇、海軍軍艦持續監視，直到昨天凌晨二時許向陽紅十四號往南開到距鵝鑾鼻約七十八浬海域，離我方限制水域愈來愈遠，海巡署船艦才在凌晨三時前先撤走，改由海軍軍艦監控。至昨晚未再見這艘船逼近我方水域。

海巡署人員說，距離台灣低潮線的十二浬以內屬我方禁止水域，中共船隻如非法侵入，得予查扣。十二浬至廿四浬屬鄰接水域（國外也稱毗鄰水域），中共船隻若入侵，得登船檢查、驅離。

2003.08.08 中國時報
美海軍「星座號」航空母艦今在加州母港除役
中央社

　不久前從波斯灣返航的美國航空母艦「星座號」（USS Constellation），今天在加州聖地牙哥軍港除役。擁有彪炳戰功的這艘傳統動力航空母艦日內將駛往西雅圖永久封存。

　來自五角大廈與海軍部的代表今天在聖地牙哥北島海軍基地聯合主持「星座號」的除役儀式，四千餘名官兵在嘹亮的軍樂聲中目視迎風招展的船旗冉冉降下。

　「星座號」在長達四十一年的服役期間，多數時間佈署於西太平洋地區，它的主要巡弋航線是從聖地牙哥軍港駛往亞洲海域，部份時間停泊於南中國海、印度洋附近。

　冷戰結束後，「星座號」服勤的海域從東亞地區改往中東波斯灣，今年三月十九日爆發的伊拉克戰爭是它二十一次軍事任務的最後一役。

　曾經是六零年代全球吃水量最大航空母艦之一的「星座號」，今天光榮除役後將駛往華盛頓州西雅圖軍港永久封存。它在聖地牙哥軍港的停泊碼頭將由新核子動力航空母艦「雷根號」進駐。

　雖然南北韓海軍當局曾因北韓海軍警備艇侵犯朝鮮半島西海岸的南韓海域，而先後兩度在黃海上發生過造成傷亡慘重的海戰，但，雙方即將同時派員參加於本月十八日至二十七日由俄羅斯主導的多國海上軍事演習，在解決北韓核武案的六邊會談即將召開之際，似可藉此醞釀一和解氣氛。

　南韓國防部透露，俄羅斯當局於今年五月即邀請南韓參加，由俄羅斯太平洋艦隊司令部於本月十八日至二十七日舉行的海上搜救演習；為此，南韓海軍決定派遣一艘搭載兩百名官兵的驅逐艦、一架直昇機及兩名上校級軍官組成的軍事演習及觀摩團。

　據悉，由俄羅斯主導的此一多國海上搜救聯合演習，將由俄、美、日、韓四國海軍動員一百十餘艘艦艇、五十餘架直昇機與軍機，以及三萬餘名兵力參加，將分別在海參崴北方的納霍德卡（Nakhodka）、鄂霍次克海及白令海一帶展開海上聯合搜救、防止非法捕撈等演習。

　南韓國防部有關人士表示，俄羅斯並沒有邀請北韓派艦艇參加聯合演習，僅邀請派遣觀摩團前來參觀陸地上的演習。據確認，北韓已決定只派一、兩名海軍上校級軍官前往俄羅斯觀摩這項聯合演習。由於北韓已決定派員觀摩，因此，南北韓海軍軍官可望在此次海外演習中進行第一類接觸。

　據瞭解，南韓派出的艦艇與直昇機可望於二十五日在納霍德卡近海，參與空中搜索、救難等演習。

　南韓軍方透露，至於加拿大和中國，也與北韓一樣，只被邀請派遣觀摩團參觀陸地上的演習，諸如，對於將在沿岸地區非法漁捕的船隻之靠岸及管制等活動。俄羅斯當局一改過去在軍事問題上「重北輕南」之作風，更為重視南韓，可說是南韓軍事外交之奏捷。

若航空母艦被改裝可使用垂直升降戰機，日本就有能力對鄰國（例如朝鮮）可能發動的導彈襲擊，實施先發制人的打擊，但這樣做可能會在國內引起憲法爭拗，並令中國、朝鮮及韓國感到驚駭。日本的憲法禁止國家保留任何軍隊，但在冷戰初期，為迴避這一規定，其龐大的軍隊被稱為自衛隊。

這兩艘戰艦預料於二○○四年及二○○五年訂造，至少可攜帶十二架戰機。每艘戰艦預料造價六億二千萬英鎊（七十八億港元）。這些戰艦的正式任務是要進行防衛，對付敵人的潛艇，及在維和及人道使命中，向遠處派遣部隊。

美售台紀德艦 啟封整修

華盛頓記者／林寶慶九日電

在美軍倉庫中塵封已久的紀德艦出海了！

台灣向美國採購的四艘紀德級驅逐艦之一「紀德號（ＤＤＧ 九九三）」，已於七日下午拖離原先存放的費城港，預定十一日抵達東岸南卡羅萊納州德岩斯船廠進行整修。另一艘仍在費城存放的紀德級艦「史考特號（ＤＤＧ 九九五）」，也將於近期拖往德岩斯船廠。

另外兩艘紀德級艦則存放於西岸，台灣出生的美國俄勒岡州國會眾議員吳振偉正積極爭取讓這兩艘紀德艦交由西岸俄勒岡州的船廠啟封整修。

美國ＶＳＥ公司最近競標成功，擊敗諾斯洛普格魯曼公司，獲得美國海軍合約，替台灣展開高達八百一十萬美元的紀德艦啟封整修及訓練作業。ＶＳＥ共使用四個船廠為外國海軍從事啟封整修及訓練等工作，其中三個船廠位於東岸，一個位於西岸。德岩斯船廠係在東岸。

為了工作方便及經濟等因素，美國海軍建議四艘紀德艦都由東岸的德岩斯船廠啟封整修。但因兩艘紀德艦「卡拉漢號（ＤＤＧ 九九四）」和「錢德勒號（ＤＤＧ 九九六）」存放於美西的華盛頓州，如欲拖到東岸必須遠經巴拿馬運河，費時費錢。此外為了數百萬美元的商機及工作機會，國會議員吳振偉正爭取將西岸的兩艘紀德艦由俄勒岡州波特蘭的卡斯凱德船廠啟封整修。

由於選擇啟封船廠對美國及台灣都有政治敏感性，據了解雙方都有點不太願意負責。美國海軍及ＶＳＥ公司對美方的說法是德岩斯船廠是台灣選定的；而台灣海軍對國內的說法則是德岩斯船廠是美方決定的。

美國海軍艦艇部門及ＶＳＥ公司負責紀德艦啟封的ＢＡＶ部門人員，本月並計畫前往台灣討論細節。

四艘紀德艦分別於一九九八、一九九九年自美國海軍除役，第一批整修完成的紀德級驅逐艦可望在二○○五年加入台灣海軍服役。

詹氏防衛周刊本月稍早報導，諾斯洛普格魯曼公司不滿未能得標。該公司指出紀德艦戰鬥系統的新威脅提升（ＮＴＵ）功能，是該公司的專長。

【2003/08/11 聯合報】

（中央社記者張芳明東京十八日專電）「日本經濟新聞今天報導，日本和中共初步決定將展開兩國的軍艦互訪，預定九月一日訪問中國的日本防衛廳長官石破茂和中國國防部長曹剛川會談時，可望就今年內實現首次的軍艦互訪達成協議，恢復兩國由於小泉純一郎日相參拜靖國神社而於去年四月起中斷的軍事交流。

報導指出，石破和曹剛川的會談並可能就恢復二ＯＯＯ年六月以來中斷的兩國軍方將領的互訪以及日本防衛研究所和中國國防大學的加強研究合作達成協議，石破也將向中共方面說明，日本為對付北韓射程涵蓋日本全土的蘆洞導彈，將於二ＯＯ六年引進飛彈防禦系統，以期獲得中國的理解。

（中央社記者姜遠珍漢城十八日專電）南韓海軍今天以艦砲開火警告在黃海上侵犯南韓海疆的北韓船隻，雙方未發生任何衝突的情況，稍後，北韓船隻被逼回北韓海域。

南韓合同參謀本部宣佈，韓國時間今天上午十一時五十二分左右，一艘十噸級北韓船隻在黃海上的南韓最北島嶼－白翎島東北方六浬處，穿越了南北韓海上分界線－北方限界線（NLL），南下侵犯了南韓水域零點五浬，經南韓海軍緊急派出快速艦編隊趕往現場示威，並開火示警，北韓船隻終於在侵犯南韓水域六分鐘後，返回了北韓水域。

合參當局透露，北韓船隻越界後，南韓艦隻立即作出警告廣播及示威動作，並於北韓船隻侵犯南韓水域一分鐘後，發射了五發示警用40mm艦砲，當時，越界的北韓船隻附近，並沒有任何北韓船隻，同時，北韓海軍也未曾採取任何異常動作。

US$3 million down payment given to US for submarines

AFP
Tuesday, Aug 19, 2003,Page 3
Taiwan has inched forward in its plan to acquire eight submarines from the US after paying US$3 million to kick start the deal, it was reported yesterday.

The US had demanded Taipei pay a US$333 million advance to secure the deal, guaranteed by US President George W. Bush, a Chinese-language paper said.

The hefty downpayment demand drew complaints from Taipei, prompting reports that the plan could be killed or Taiwan could opt for second-hand submarines from the international market.

The deal was revived when the US agreed to slash the advance payment to US$7.5 million, the paper said. It said the navy has paid US$3 million and will pay US$4.5 million before the years end.

The paper said that Washington would make a presentation in October to Taipei on the types of submarines available.

The Ministry of National Defense declined to comment on the report.

CSIST cruise missile passes first important field test

By Brian Hsu
STAFF REPORTER
Tuesday, Aug 19, 2003,Page 4
A cruise missile developed by the Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) has reached a range of 1,000km in field tests, defense sources said yesterday.

The test results were encouraging for the CSIST, which has spent several years on the project.

But the Hsiung Feng-IIE cruise missile, the first of its kind to be developed by the CSIST, has yet to undergo more tests to become reliable and deployable.

A prototype of the missile reached a range of 1,000km in a field test earlier this year over an offshore island. The prototype missile made a 20km circle around the island 50 times.

The test successfully found out the maximum range that the missile was capable of, but it failed to show how accurate the missile could be when aimed at a target.

With a range of 1,000km, the Hsiung Feng-IIE should be capable of reaching any important military assets along Chinas coastline.

But it remains to be seem whether the missile could actually hit the target.

It would be a bigger problem for the missile to try to reach an inland target in China, since it would have to be programmed with maps of inland Chinas terrain.

The military currently does not have such maps, but the US does.

A defense analyst, who preferred not to be identified, said that -- for the time being at least -- Washington is not likely to provide such critical data to Taiwan, since it might endanger the relations between Washington and Beijing.

The Hsiung Feng-IIE could help neutralize the threat from Chinas cruise missiles, if it could reach targets inland.

But for the moment, the military has data only for Chinas coastal terrain, since Taiwan lacks surveillance satellites or long-range reconnaissance aircraft to gather information on inland areas.

Without such vital information, analysts say, the Hsiung Feng-IIE might have limited effects against China -- despite its 1,000km range -- and could be lethal only against targets in Chinas coastal provinces.

The Hsiung Feng-IIE is a variant of the Hsiung Feng-II anti-ship missile, which the CSIST developed on its own several years ago.

The development of the Hsiung Feng-IIE has been secretly proceeding for some years, with very little information released to the public about its progress.

The military is desperate to possess such cruise missiles in order to counter threats from Chinas own cruise missiles.

China has deployed a number of such weapons -- in addition to the thousands of ballistic missiles it has -- posing a new threat to Taiwan.

Some of Chinas cruise missiles are said to have ranges of between 2,000km and 4,000 km.

To deal with the new threat, the military has been installing or upgrading its land-based and air-borne radar systems and developing its own anti-missile weapons systems.

Navy estimates submarine budget

HIGH AMOUNTS: The projected costs announced by the navy are much higher than anticipated and may exceed the militarys total for new weapons systems

By Brian Hsu
STAFF REPORTER
Thursday, Aug 21, 2003,Page 4

We do not know what type of submarine the US will offer us. We have to admit that the process is not progressing smoothly.

Navy official

Initial estimates by the navy indicate that it would need at least NT$400 billion to buy eight conventional submarines from the US, a figure much higher than that previously reported by the press, a senior navy official said yesterday.

The costs might increase to NT$500 billion if the submarines the US offers Taiwan were of a more advanced type, the official said.

The NT$400 billion estimate is for submarines displacing under 2,000 tonnes each, while the NT$500 billion estimate is applicable to a submarine of around 3,000 tonnes displacement.

The navy could accept smaller submarines with tonnages between 1,500 and 2,000, which would include, for instance, a German-made type with a crew of 40, the official said.

The navy would not consider buying smaller submarines, which it regards as toys rather than weapon systems.

We do not know what type of submarine the US would offer us. We have to admit that the process is not progressing smoothly, the official said.

The US will send a delegation to Taiwan by the end of the year to report on what type of submarine it could procure for us. Before they arrive, we do not know ourselves what the end result will be, he said.

If the US can find us only small submarines, we estimate that the packages total cost would be around NT$400 billion. But if the US said it could acquire bigger submarines for us, the cost would be up to NT$500 billion, he said.

Despite being unclear on the type of submarine the US will select for Taiwan, the first of the eight non-nuclear submarines will not be delivered until 2013, the official said.

The timetable makes sense only on condition that the US finalizes its selection of submarines by the end of the year. After the type of submarine has been selected, we will spend four years on pre-construction preparation work and six years on construction, he said.

So we will have to wait for a total of 10 years for the first of the eight submarines to be delivered to the country, he said.

It was the first time that the navy went into such depth on the topic of the submarine deal with the US.

The estimated cost of the deal are much higher than what was initially reported by the press. The reported figures ranged between NT$150 billion and NT$200 billion, but never as high as NT$400 billion or NT$500 billion.

The navys high estimates show that the military will need much more money than the estimated special budget of NT$520 billion for the purchase of new weapon systems in the next 10 years.

HSV2 Swift delivered to U.S. Navy
It was a day of celebration this Tuesday for Incat, the U.S. Navy and Bollinger/Incat USA in Hobart, Tasmania, as high ranking U.S. Military officers joined with invited guests to witness the handover of the 98 meter Wave Piercing Catamaran HSV 2 Swift, Incat Hull 061.

Guests were welcomed on board HSV 2 Swift by Sir Guy Green, the Governor of Tasmania.

With the Royal Australian Air Force band playing, flags flying and the usual pomp and ceremony associated with such events, the 80 or so U.S. officers and crew were joined by representatives of the Australian Defence Force, invited guests and the entire Incat workforce.

During the ceremony Commander Clark Price, the Captain of the craft, assumed command, delivering his orders before the Hoisting of Colors, signifying that the U.S. Navy had accepted U.S. Navy Vessel HSV 2 Swift.

Speaking of this latest High Speed Vessel to hoist the Stars and Stripes, Rear Admiral Paul Ryan, Commander Mine Warfare Command, U.S. Navy said the name Swift is most appropriate, because of its high speed, it reached 47 knots on sea trials.

Admiral Ryan referred to the old Navy adage that Speed is Life, saying that speed is a force multiplier, reducing the transit time to theatre, and therefore increasing the time on station.

Robert Clifford, Chairman of the Incat Group of Companies and Executive Vice President of Bollinger/Incat USA said, Swift is the result of the efforts of hundreds of Incat contractual and production staff and hundreds of sub-contractors. I, and fellow directors, thank the entire dedicated workforce for their outstanding efforts, through the long cold winter days and nights in the shipyard--it has all been worthwhile to be able to celebrate with the U.S. Navy today.

The US Navy is interested in many new ships, ships that will be know as Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), noted Clifford. Swift is not a Littoral Combat Ship, it is however a forerunner of that class, and any candidate considered for that class must first exceed the specifications of this ship. That will be no easy task. Bollinger/Incat USA and Incat will be presenting in due course our Tasmanian designed ship of the future to the United States Navy.

HSV 2 Swift will serve operationally as an interim Mine Warfare Command and Support Ship (MCS), and support transformational mine warfare modular mission payload initiatives. In support of Navy experimentation, the HSV will be used to explore concepts, capabilities and military utility associated with the advanced hull and propulsion technology integrated with advanced communications in support of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program.

HSV Swift has been built to Det Norske Veritas class DNV +1A1 R1 HSLC Cargo EO HELDK

Length overall:97.22 m

Length waterline: 92.00 m

Beam overall: 26.60 m

Beam of Hulls: 4.50 m

Draft: 3.43 m

Speed: approx. 38.0 knots @ 700 tonnes deadweight

approx. 42.0 knots @ 350 tonnes deadweight

For the Marine Corps, the HSV will conduct a series of limited-objective experiments, exercises, demonstrations and training events that develop interoperability potential of high-speed vessels with causeways, watercraft, amphibious ships and other shipping. Experimentation data will be used to access the military utility of HSVs and future joint and naval military operations or applications.

The HSV is capable of maintaining an average speed of 35 knots or greater, loaded with 500 short tons, consisting of 350 personnel and military equipment. A minimum operating range of 1100 nautical miles at 35 knots is required by the contract, as is a minimum transit range of 4000 nautical miles at an average speed of 20 knots. Furthermore, it must be capable of 24-hour operations at slow speeds (3-10 knots) for experimentation with unmanned autonomous vehicles, and to support dedicated and emerging organic mine warfare missions.

A stern ramp capable of on/off loading directly astern or to the starboard quarter is fitted. The ramp is capable of loading/unloading a multitude of military vehicles up to and including M1A1 main battle tanks of up to 141,000 lbs.

Swift is also fitted with a load compensating crane capable of launch and recovery of small boats and unmanned vehicles up to 26,000 lbs. whilst underway. The crane is capable of lifting up to 22,000 lbs. to and from the flight deck.

Perhaps one of the most impressive features of Swift is the NAVAIR certified helicopter flight deck for operation of MH-60S, CH-46, UH-1 and AH-1 helicopters. An area protected from the weather for storage and maintenance of two MH-60S helicopters has also been provided to enhance aviation operations in day, night and instrument meteorological conditions.

With sea trials, Navy acceptance, and crew certification complete Swift will now deploy and commence routine operations. The vessel will operate with crews stationed at Naval Station Ingleside, Texas, and Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va.

（中央社台北二十六日電）北韓核問題六方會談即將展開前夕，南韓宣佈，海軍二十一日在海上成功試射了一枚射程為一百五十公里的新型艦對艦導彈，準確命中了七十多公里外的靶艦。南韓軍方計劃，從明年起將這種導彈部署在韓國型驅逐艦和新一代護衛艦上。

新華社今天報導，南韓軍方人士提供的消息說，南韓海軍的一艘護衛艦在朝鮮半島東部海域，成功地試射了這枚新型導彈。

ALYOSHIN RECONCILED SHIPBUILDERS $

Vedomosti, August 8, 2003, p.

Anastasiya Onegina, Anatoly Temkin, Alexei Nikolsky

PERFORMANCE OF THE $1.4-BILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CHINESE NAVY WILL BE
RESUMED AFTER THE CONFLICTING PARTIES - THE BALTIC SHIPYARD AND SEVERNAYA
VERF SHIPYARD HAVE REACHED A COMPROMISE.

On August 7, Deputy Prime Minister Boris Alyoushin managed to settle the
economic dispute between the Baltic Shipyard and Severnaya Verf, which could
ruin the performance of an $1.4 billion export contract on construction of
two destroyers for China. Within a month, the Baltic Shipyard is supposed to
dispatch the boilers Severnaya Verf needs to resume construction, while
Severnaya Verf will allow delegates from the Baltic Shipyard to monitor
observation of the construction technology.

The Baltic Shipyard and Severnaya Verf have been involved in a conflict
concerning the Chinese contract for 18 months already. By terms of a $1.4
billion contract on construction of two destroyers Rosoboronexport and China
concluded in January 2002, Severnaya Verf was appointed performer of the
order. However, the Baltic Shipyard obtained the contract by results of a
tender the government conducted in January 2002. However, in March 2002
Mikhail Kasianov confirmed the initial decision saying that Severnaya Verf
must produce the destroyers, while the Baltic Shipyard would be supplying
some spare parts for the ships.

The Baltic Shipyards refusal to supply two boilers (sections of the ships
power plants) for Chinese destroyers became the subject of investigation on
August 7. In the words of Valery Pogrebenkov, press secretary of New
Programs & Concepts holding (controls Severnaya Verf, a 50% stake in the
holding belongs to Mezhprombank, the boilers were paid as far as the end of
2002, and the delivery deadline elapsed in March 2003. However, the Baltic
Shipyard was denying dispatch of the boilers, saying that Severnaya Verf had
not provided the executors with the technical specifications for
installation and maintenance. Without that, we cannot guarantee correct
operation of our products, we were told at the shipyards press service. A
few days before the meeting at Alyoshins office, the St. Petersburg
Prosecutors Office had issued a ruling saying that the Baltic Plant must
dispatch the equipment to its partners within a month.

The compromise was obtained at the meeting at Alyoshins office on August 7.
According to Alexander Nessis, president of EAST Group, which is in control
of the Baltic Shipyard, and his deputy Nikolai Dobrinov, the plant obliged
to dispatch the boilers, while Severnaya Verf guaranteed an opportunity for
controlling quality of other items used to assemble the power plant, and
observation of the construction technology. We are satisfied with results
of the meeting, because a reasonable way out has been found, Dobrinov said.
In his words, the Baltic Shipyard compromised after Severnaya Verf provided
all guarantees required.

Navy Commander Says Russia Will Not Build More Major Warships

兩個月前曾在台灣北部海域出現的中共海洋科學調查船「向陽紅九號」，前天下午再度於台灣南部海域現蹤，由西往東航行，動機不明。是否和即將在宜蘭進行的漢光十九號演習有關，令軍方關注。海軍及海巡署出動數艘船艦監控，昨天傍晚向陽紅九號才離去。

據軍方監控，前天下午三時卅九分，向陽紅九號在東經一百廿一度卅九分、北緯廿一度廿五度的高雄港東南方約一百浬的海域。

海軍拉法葉級「康定艦」及近岸巡防艦「資江艦」駛往監控，海岸巡防署「德星艦」也據報趕往。我方船艦和向陽號九號距離最近時，只有約一浬，不過並無進一步接觸。

我向美軍購四艘紀德艦 預計96年全數返國

(中央社記者陳亦偉台北二十九日電)國防部在今天送交
立法院的九十三年度預算中，編列兩百四十三億九千五
百四十四萬六千元，執行四艘紀德艦軍購案。依照海軍
的規劃，全案係循軍售管道向美方以啟封的方式購買，
首艘艦預計民國九十四年底返國，第二、三、四艘艦於
九十五到九十六年間陸續返國。

國防部在紀德艦軍購案中說明，全案總預算原本核
定編列兩百八十四億一千八百多萬，中間因精實合併及
立法院審議刪減後，國防部編列近兩百四十四億來執行
，其中隨艦運返相關彈藥計編列七十九億多元、購艦、
啟封、訓練與性能提昇等需求，共編列一百六十四億多
元預算，此外還包括採購作業費及運保費，全部預算從
九十二到九十六分五個年度編列，預計九十六年全數返
國。

俄羅斯核子潛艦沉沒　艦上10官兵僅一人獲救
2003/08/30 13:08

俄羅斯K-159核子潛艦沉沒，圖為與K-159同為11月級的另一艘核子潛艦檔案照（圖／美聯社）

　國際中心／編譯

俄羅斯一艘核子動力潛艦30日凌晨因為遭遇暴風雨在北極圈附近的巴倫茲海沉沒，俄羅斯國防部表示，艦上搭載10名官兵，已知至少有兩人喪生，一人獲救。軍方強調，潛艦上的核子反應爐在沉沒當時已經關閉，艦上沒有配載任何武器。

這艘潛艦是K-159核子潛艦，隸屬俄羅斯北方艦隊。根據俄羅斯國防部說法，潛艦在當地時間30日清晨4時於巴倫玆海的基爾丁島外三海浬處沉沒，北方艦隊的搜救船冒著大雨，在事發一小時內抵達現場進行海空搜救，艦上10名官兵目前有1人獲救，尋獲兩具遺體，另外七人下落不明。

一名海軍上校發言人表示，巴倫玆海域當時氣溫約攝氏10度（華氏50度），也就是說在沒有任何防護裝備下，一個人落海後頂多能撐45分鐘，軍方認為，找到其他生還者的機會渺茫。

俄羅斯K-159潛艦是11月級核子攻擊潛艦，在1989年7月16日除役，事發前兩天前，也就是8月28日從寇拉半島的克里米卡基地出發，被拖往波拉奈爾（Polarnye）的拆解廠卸載艦上核子燃料和拆解。俄羅斯國防部說，拖行潛艦的浮艇29日晚間因為遭暴風雨侵襲破裂，潛艦沉沒在170公尺深的海中。軍方強調，艦上的核子反應爐早已關閉，也沒有攜帶任何武器，沒有造成環境污染的威脅。

這起事件令人回想起2000年8月12日發生的俄羅斯核子動力潛艦柯斯克號（Kursk）沉沒事件，當時柯斯克號在執勤時沉沒，地點同樣在巴倫茲海，艦上118名官兵全數罹難，是俄羅斯海軍史上最慘重的一次災難，事後調查柯斯克號沉沒原因是艦上魚雷爆炸引起。