Thanks for the info...
However, does anyone feel that the Fearless class is rather lightly
armed? I listed the armament fit of the first six ships below...
The other six ships are similarly equipped abeit without torpedo
armament.
Guns:
1 x OtoBreda 76mm
2 x CIS-50 12.7mm HMG
Missiles:
Mistral SAM / Twin Launcher
Torpedoes:
Whitehead A244/S 324mm / 2 Triple Launchers
I feel that these ships, modern in design and electronics as they
are, are still unable to handle more potent threats. The 5.3km
range of the Mistral for instance does not give the ship adequate
air defence capability. It is noteworthy that the Mistral is
optimized for the anti-aircraft role and its effectiveness against
incoming ASMs is probably marginal.
The Whitehead A244/S is a very competent weapon, however it should
be noted that this weapon is employed on the major combatants of
certain European navies only as a protection against submarines,
given that they come equipped with ASW helicopters and a full
spectrum of weapon systems meant for the offensive role. I find it
extremely disturbing that the first six units of the Fearless class
are designated "Anti-submarine PVs", yet are armed only with
lightweight torpedoes. For such a specialized role torpedoes of
calibre 400mm or even 533mm are necessary given their longer range
and higher lethality, taking into account that most submarines have
weapons that far outrange the A244/S.
Hopefully the RSN would address these problems in the future with
the replacement of the existing weapon fit with robust systems such
as the German DM2A4 533mm torpedoes (on order for Vastergotland
SSKs) and Barak I SAMs (in service on Victory FSGs).
