The Politics and DV Engineering working group analyses current political developments in the defence sector. It provides independent facts and interpretation from engineers' technological knowledge and experience.
The Politics and DV Engineering working group has questions and comments on the DMP-B dated 14 Jan 2021 for the replacement of the Goalkeeper close-in-weapon-systems of the Royal Navy (Parliamentary paper 2021Z00668). The comment was prepared based on publicly available information and defence technology knowledge and experience.
Download a PDF of this commentary here.
It concerns replacement by a new system with RAM missiles and 76 mm steerable DART grenades, supported by a Dutch Pharos radar. In the working group's view, this choice fits well with the technological developments of recent years.
The working group does have two questions about the future material equipment of ships with a Close in Weapon System (CIWS).
Page 2 CIWS for Combat Support Ship (CSS)
Contrary to what was stated in DMP-A for the replacement of the goalkeeper (Parliamentary Paper 27 830, no 220), according to this DMP-B, the CSS will not be equipped with the new CIWS capability for budgetary reasons. However, the CSS is precisely a High Value Target that is often at extra risk. According to the concept of scalable units of limited size stated in the Defence Vision 2035, the CSS will also often be assigned tasks independently, where air defence by a very close frigate is not present. With the growing threat of terrorists who can also deploy drones, the budgetary choice does not seem logical. Not low on the violence spectrum either.
Page 3 Second goalkeeper on current LC frigates
Defence renounces the promised (see Parliamentary paper 27 830, no 238 of 8 June 2018) placement of a second goalkeeper on three of the four LC frigates. Sr. Ms. Evertsen is already equipped with two goalkeepers. Argument is "the limited added value and cost involved". The impression is that here, too, cost was the deciding factor. After all, the threat is only increasing and already when the LC frigates were designed, there was a need for a second goalkeeper. Only with this will the LC frigates have all-round coverage against close air threats. However, the cost cannot be very high as all LC frigates are equipped with 'provisions-for' a second goalkeeper.
Especially since LC frigates have at least 5 years of their lives ahead of them after goalkeeper systems from other ships become available, it seems logical to the working group that the provisions-for should be used as soon as possible.
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The Hague, 20 January 2021
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Photo: Ministry of Defence
