ALGERIA – New Amphibious Ship from Fincantieri
On 27 July 2011, AMI received information that Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN) of Italy, the export marketing arm of Fincantieri, had signed a contract with the Algerian National Navy (ANN) for the construction of an amphibious transport dock ship (LPD).
While the information was confirmed by a company official at OSN, terms of the contract prohibit any detailed information from being publically released. AMI believes that the vessel being procured will be a modified San Giorgio class LPD (along the lines of the upgraded ITS San Marco) due to the limited offerings by Fincantieri for these types of vessels. The only other design offered by Fincantieri is a 20,000-ton LHD which AMI believes to be too large and complex of a ship for the ANN; nor would the sea service have a requirement for such a vessel. AMI believes that the ANN is capable of integrating a ship the size of the San Giorgio class (as well as air operations) as it is currently operating helicopters from naval vessels, in particular the two Kalaat Beni Hammad class logistic landing ships that are capable of operating one helicopter in support of landing forces.
Since 2010, it is believed that the ANN has had the need to quickly update their naval requirements due to numerous new challenges to the nation, including the rise of the Arab Spring movement, increased unrest in the region, natural disasters, droughts and famine in the horn of Africa area, and the possibility for non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO) due to any or all of these issues.
ITS San Marco is 133.3 meters (437 ft) in length and displaces 8,088 tons. It has landing spots for four large helicopters and has a well deck for the operation of two medium landing craft (LCM) in addition to two personnel landing craft (LCVP) from sponsons. It is capable of transporting one combat battalion of 400 troops along with equipment and up to 30 medium tanks or armored personnel carriers.
AMI anticipates that if this contract is indeed for a modified San Giorgio class and it is finalized by the end of 2011, the estimated US$250M procurement could see first steel cut in early 2012, followed by commissioning of the single unit by 2014.
Additional information on this article can be obtained by contacting Rick Dorn at AMI International (Tel: + 1 360 674 6494 or E-mail: rdorn@amiinter.com). Additional information on Algeria can be obtained by visiting the Algeria Country Report at http://www.amiinter.com/wnpr/algeria/index.html.