Independence-class frigate
 An Independence-class frigate of the Daoan Navy
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Khuat Shipyards |
| Operators: | |
| Succeeded by: | Endurance-class frigate |
| Subclasses: | FSV 11215 Offshore Patrol Frigate |
| Cost: | $195 million per ship (starting price) |
| Built: | 2010 - Present |
| In commission: | 2013 - Present |
| Planned: | 21 |
| On order: | 1 |
| Building: | 3 |
| Completed: | 17 |
| Active: |
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| Lost: | 1 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Guided Missile Frigate |
| Displacement: |
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| Length: | 112 m (367 ft 5 in) |
| Beam: | 15 m (49 ft 3 in) |
| Draught: | 4.38 m (14 ft 4 in) |
| Propulsion: |
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| Speed: | In excess of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) |
| Range: | 6,210 nmi (12,000 km; 7,000 mi) |
| Endurance: | 20 days at sea |
| Boats & landing craft carried: | 2 x RHIB |
| Complement: | 75 Personnel, excluding a 19-person air crew detachment. |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
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| Electronic warfare & decoys: |
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| Armament: |
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| Aircraft carried: | 1 x V-11 Pelikan / D-20 Albatross |
| Aviation facilities: | Helicopter deck & hangar. |
The Independence-class frigate (Daoan: Sự độc lập) is a class of stealth guided-missile frigates built for the Daoan Congressional Republic Navy and designed by the Daoan shipbuilder Khuat Shipyards, based around its Famolavolana Sambo Modular (FSV) design family of naval vessels. The Independence-class frigates were designed as multirole vessels as its capabilities include anti-aircraft, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare roles and low radar observability. Its armaments include a 75mm rapid fire gun, four remotely operated 12.7mm machine gun platforms, a single 35mm close-in weapon system, surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine rockets & torpedoes launched via a 16-cell vertical launching system. It is also equipped with subsonic or supersonic cruise missiles that are launched via two 4-barreled launch tubes on both the starboard and port sides of the vessel. The ship's design was based around the principle of modular naval vessels which was meant to reduce cost and increase efficiency in construction & assembly. Ships of the class are poised to gradually replace a majority the ageing Freedom-class destroyers as the navy's primary surface combatants. The Independence-class represents a major shift in Daobac's naval doctrine, doing away with heavier warships with large amounts of firepower, towards lighter, cost efficient but capable naval vessels. The Daoan Navy ordered a total of ten ships with the first ship of the Independence-class, the TCQ ''Trần Việt Thắng'', completed and commissioned in 13 April 2013. A total of six ships have been delivered by Khuat Shipyards with a further four both on order and under construction. The Indepedence-class's modular design meant that it can be modified to fulfill other roles aside as a Frigate, with the Royal Navy of Brumen ordering both the standard Frigate and commissioning the creation of a patrol version of the Independence-class. Aside from the Daoan Navy, the Independence-class and its variants are also in service in the navies of Brumen, Ankat, Kainuinoa and Kajera.
Development
The success of the Unity-class corvettes prompted leadership elements within the Daoan Navy to rethink the type of hardware they should prioritize to procure. Prior to the acquisition of corvettes the Daoan Navy relied solely on the Freedom-class destroyers as the mainstay of its surface combatant force which had been in service since 1991 and required twice the amount of crew to operate it compared to the small but versatile corvettes. Priority shifted from large warships with raw firepower to smaller, lighter, mobile & versatile vessels. Although the Unity-class fulfilled this role the Navy is unable to use the Unity-class to replace the older and more heavily armed destroyers. Therefore in 2007 the Navy commissioned a study to design a combat vessel that was lighter than a destroyer but more capable than a corvette. The study proposed various types of ships ranging from medium-sized littoral combat ships (LCS) which were essentially oversized corvettes, guided missile frigates and a new type of guided missile destroyers. The procurement of a new destroyer to entirely replace the navy's existing fleet of destroyers was deemed to be not in alignment with the Navy's goal of a surface force that is more mobile and versatile. Furthermore it does not address the requirement of having fewer crew members to operate the ship. This left the LCS and frigates as the two primary design contenders with the frigate option ultimately prevailing over the LCS. The frigates would become the primary surface combatant of the navy, supported by two dedicated anti-air destroyers to be procured at a later date to escort the navy's Dammay-class landing platform docks. A tender process was initiated in 2008 where Khuat Shipyards, Bao Naval Designs alongside XXX from XXX proposed various frigate designs to the Daoan Navy to assess. Ultimately the design from Khuat Shipyards was deemed to fulfill the Navy's requirements of a light, modular & multipurpose vessel. Furthermore Khuat Shipyards, who was partook in the development & construction of the Unity-class corvettes, was able to reduce the estimated construction costs by utilizing or improving existing proven technologies & concepts that were applied to the corvette. The Daoan Ministry of National Security signed a procurement contract with Khuat Shipyards in 2009 for the construction of six initial frigates with an option to increase the number of vessels in the future. Construction of the first vessel, the TCQ ''Trần Việt Thắng'' began in September 2010 at Khuat's Congvat-based shipyard. It was launched on 5 July 2013 with sea trials commencing a short time later. Sea trials concluded on February 2013 and the Trần Việt Thắng would be eventually completed and commissioned on 13 April 2013. Further vessels were commissioned on July 2013, 2015 and 2016. On March 2021 the Daoan government, through the Ministry of National Security, ordered the procurement of a further two vessels. The Independence-class while initially meant to only augment the Freedom-class destroyers, proved itself to be a more reliable, cost-efficient and versatile vessel compared to the older destroyers. This has resulted in the Freedoms's fate being changed from partial to a full decomissioning of the Freedom-class destroyers.
Design
General Characteristics
The Independence-class is 112 m (367 ft 5 in) long and 15 m (49 ft 3 in) wide, with a displacement of 2,650 tonnes when empty and 3,190 tonnes when fully loaded by both crew and cargo. This places the Independence-class on the lighter scale of displacement of modern frigates, whose counterparts generally have a displacement between 3,200 to 6,000 tonnes. Its speed is in excess of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph), has a maximum range of 6,210 nmi (12,000 km; 7,000 mi) and it can operate independently without any logistical support for a period of 20 days before needing to refuel & resupply at a port. The Independence-class was designed as a modular vessel and as such it was built around six major modules which were constructed individually before being assembled together. Some of the key considerations of utilizing a modular design approach was to expadite the overall construction process reducing it from 4 to 3 years, reduce the number of material waste, permit the construction & assembly of modules to take place entirely indoors alllowing work to continue unimpeded regardless of weather conditions and increase the overall quality of the finished product due to the standardization methods required in module construction & assembly. Khuat Shipyards also designed the ship in such a way that it can be repurposed as an entirely different type of vessel, depending on the requirements of the customer. Propulsion is provided by a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) propulsion system. The ship is powered by two BSY 9D diesel engines where each provided 16.1 MW (21.600 hp) with a total output of 32.2 MW (43,180 hp). The ship's stealth characteristics take form the utilization composite materials, radar absorbent coatings in the ship's exterior hull and low-observable/radar transparent technologies. The incorporation of such materials and the reduced number of protroding structures such as antaenas and externally mounted missile/rocket tubes helps the vessel maintain a low radar cross-section, allowing the vessel to be marketed as a frigate with stealth capabilities. Acoustic signature is reduced by utilizing propellers that were designed to reduce hydrodynamic noise and areas with machinery that generate large amount of noise are housed in specialized acoustic enclosures that reduce air-borne noise. Thermal signature of the ship from the ship's exhaust ports is reduced by injecting the engine's exhaust with cold air before expelled into the environment in order to mask it with natural background thermal heat. While not officially designated yet at the time, the armament, sensors & processing systems onboard the Independence-class would become known as the Protector Combat System.
Armament
The Independence-class are equipped with a diverse range of weapon systems that allows it to combat threats from all three theaters of war: air, land and sea.
- Guns: ships of the class are equipped with three types of guns. It is equipped with a primary KYC super-rapid fire 76mm naval gun with a rate of fire (RoF) of 120 rounds per minute (RPM). It is manufactured by United Defense Systems and mounted on a stealth copula to help reduce its radar cross section. A 35mm Shield CIWS manufactured by Tran Heavy Industries provides point-defense protection for the frigate against incoming airborne threats, primarily missiles & rockets, that has penetrated the frigates long-range anti-air missiles. It has a maximum effective range of 4,500 meters and if required can also be used against surface targets at close range. The Shield's four-chambered autocannon fires shells that will detonate and expel 170 armor piercing tungsten coated projectiles at pre-set distance from the target. The Shield CIWS has a rate of fire of 200 rounds per minute when firing in burst mode, and a rate of fire of 1,000 rounds per minute when firing in full auotomatic. Additionally, two remote controlled weapon system (RCWS) equipped with 12.7mm machine guns are installed on the port and starboard sides of the ship to engage surface targets. The 12.7mm RCWS platforms are manufactured by UDS as well and is used in its Leopard ATFV models.
- Missiles & Rockets: all Independence-class frigates are equipped with a single 32-cell vertical launching system that is capable of launching both surface-to-air missiles and anti-submarine rockets. Anti-surface cruise missiles are launched via two, four barrelled, launch tubes at the center of the center of the ship. With the exception of the cruise missile launch tubes, the adoption of a VLS platform allows the Independence class to reduce the number of externally mounted missile launchers or tubes on the ship's hull which reduces its radar cross section. For anti-aircraft warfare Independence-class ships are outfitted with AS-13 medium-range surface-to-air missiles with an operational range of 70km (43.5 mi). The ship's VLS is also capable of launching AW-10 anti-submarine rockets with a reported maximum range of 30km (18.6 mi). The AW-10 is comprised of two components: the rocket itself and a torpedo payload. When a target submarine is identified via the ship's mounted sonar or through its ASW helicopters, the rocket is launched in the general direction of the target submarine. Upon reaching a certain point the rocket releases its torpedo payload which, upon entry in the water, will activate the torpedo's guidance system using either active or passive sonar. For surface-to-surface combat ships are equipped with the AS-19 "Longbow" subsonic cruise missiles to engage both land and naval based surface targets. The AS-19 has a maximum operational range of up to 1,500km (930 mi) and is launched from two 4-barreled launchers, one from each port and starboard sides of the ship. Alternatively it can also be equipped with AS-21 "Rapier" supersonic cruise missiles. It has a maximum speed of Mach 4, travels at a speed of Mach 1.5 - 2 during its journey towards the target before eventually accelerating to its maximum speed in the terminal flight phase. It has a an operational range of 250km - 400km (160–250 mi; 130–220 nmi). Both the Longbow & Rapier cruise missiles are equipped with a secured data link system which can be utilized to change the missile's data mid-course. Additionally they are equiped with a active radar homing system allowing it to track targets auotonomously. The "Longbow" and "Rapier" cruise missiles are manufactured by Khuat Defense Systems and was originally launched from land-based silos or launchers. By default all Independence-class frigates carry a minimum of eight cruise missiles.
- Torpedoes: The TP-9 is the standard ASW torpedo of the Daoan Navy and is found onboard all Independence-class frigates. The TP-9 utilizes a pump-jet propulsion method, it is also quieter compared to its predecessor the TP-8 and is able to operate in depths up to 700 meters. The TP-9 is launched from two 3-barreled launchers located on both the starboard and port sides of the ship, providing the ship with a total of six TP-9 ASW torpedoes.
Sensors & Processing Systems
As multirole vessels the Independence-class is equiped with suite of sensors & processing systems that allow them to fulfill a variety of roles. Ships of the class are equipped with medium to long-range RAS29 Block 1 Block 1 3D Air & Surface Surveillance Radar. The RAS29 is a passive electronically scanned array (PESA) S-Band-based radar, originally developed by Mach Aerospace and adapted for use in the Daoan Navy. The RAS29 radar is capable of detecting & tracking hundreds of surface & air targets simultaneously with a high refresh rate. It is also capable of providing mid course updates to both active and semi active surface-to-air & anti-ship missiles launched from the frigates. While not as advanced as the RAS35 AESA radars used on the Endurance-class frigates, the RAS29's capabilities provides the best value for money for the operators of the Independence-class frigates. The RAS29 has two primary operating modes: (1) medium range of up to 170 km (92 nmi) and long range up to 270 km (146 nmi) and can is designed to support the operation of both surface to air and surface-to-surface missiles which can be tailored to the missile type of each frigate operator. Its maximum detection range has been stated to be at 55 km (xx nmi) for stealth missiles and 230 km (xx nmi) for patrol aircraft, and can simultaneously track up to 40 surface and 450 air targets at the same time. Fire control for the ship's suite of weapon systems is provided by the TK-4 fire control system. The frigates are equipped with the LS-9 secondary surveillance radar (SSR) as a backup radar system. For anti-submarine warfare Independence-class frigates are equipped with hull-mounted SNR-360 active/passive sonar array developed by Khuat Systems. The SMART Mk.30 Combat Manage System serves as the vessels' primary combat information center.
Electronic Warfare
For electronic warfare the Independence-class frigates are equipped with HSZ-100 radar warning receiver pod and Defender-A radar jamming system. It is also equipped with the Mk.3 Shadow electronic warfare suite which grants the frigate electronic countermeasure and electronic signals intelligence gathering capabilities.
Aviation Facilities
Ships of the class are equipped with a hangar and helicopter deck that is capable of hosting a single V-11 Pelikan} or D-20 Albatross helicopter for both transportation and anti-submarine warfare.
Variants
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| FSV 11215 FFG | FSV 11215 OPF | |
|---|---|---|
| User |  Ankat People's Navy Daobac Kainuinoan Navy Kajeran Navy |
 Maritime Protection Service Daobac Pulatec Navy
|
| Type | Guided Missile Frigate | Offshore Patrol Frigate |
| Length | 112 meters | 112 meters |
| Beam | 15 meters | 15 meters |
| Draft | 4.38 meters | 4.38 meters |
| Displacement | 3,190 tons | 2,500 tons |
| Main machinery | CODAD 2 x 16.1 MW (21.6 hp) BSY 9D diesel engines | CODAD 2 x 12.5 MW (16.7 hp) BSY 5F diesel engines |
| Speed (cruising) | 20 knots | 22 knots |
| Speed (maximum) | 33 knots | 35 knots |
| Endurance | 6,120 nmi | 8,500 mi |
| Primary sensors | Khuat Systems SMART Mk.30 CMS RAS29 PESA Block I 3D Air & Surface Surveillance Radar LS-9 navigation radar TK-4 fire control system Khuat Systems Block 4 Optical Sighting System Khuat Systems SNR-360 hull mounted active/passive sonar DSC GSS Datalink System United Defense GSS IFF System |
RAS25 PESA Block II 3D Air & Surface Surveillance Radar LS-9 navigation radar TK-4 fire control system Khuat Systems Block 4 Optical Sighting System DSC GSS Datalink System United Defense GSS IFF System |
| Complement | 75 | 65 |
| Weapons | Guns 1 x KYC 76mm Naval Gun 2 x 12.7mm GS-9 RCWS 1 x Shield 35mm CIWS Missiles & Rockets 1 x 16-cell VLS equipped with: SA-13 surface to air missile AW-10 anti-submarine rocket 2 x 4-barreled AS-19 subsonic cruise missile launchers OR 2 x 4-barreled AS-21 supersonic cruise missile launchers Torpedoes 2 x 3-barrel TP-9 lightweight torpedo launchers |
Guns 1 x KYC 57mm Naval Gun 2 x 12.7mm GS-9 RCWS Missiles & Rockets 1 x SA-13 surface to air missile launcher |
| Helicopter capabilities |
Deck & Hangar | Deck & Hangar |
Ship in class
| Pennant number | Name | Variant | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ankat People's Navy
| ||||||
| FF-058 | JN Nishant | Guided Missile Frigate | 5 August 2019 | 13 April 2021 | 8 December 2022 | Active |
| FF-059 | JN Esheno | Guided Missile Frigate | 22 August 2019 | 5 May 2021 | 8 December 2022 | Sunk |
| FF-060 | JN Vidane | Guided Missile Frigate | 15 January 2022 | 14 May 2023 | Under Construction | |
| Maritime Protection Service
| ||||||
| OPV-10 | SDS Waltraud Grosse | Offshore Patrol Vessel | TBD | TBD | TBD | Active |
| LPV-11 | SDS Immanuel Althaus | Offshore Patrol Vessel | TBD | TBD | TBD | Active |
| OPV-12 | SDS Melusina Blau | Offshore Patrol Vessel | TBD | TBD | TBD | Active |
| OPV-13 | SDS Adala Fabel | Offshore Patrol Vessel | TBD | TBD | TBD | Active |
| OPV-14 | SDS Raban Stein | Offshore Patrol Vessel | TBD | TBD | TBD | Active |
| OPV-15 | SDS Apsel Vogel | Offshore Patrol Vessel | TBD | TBD | TBD | Active |
| OPV-16 | SDS TBD | Offshore Patrol Vessel | TBD | TBD | TBD | Under construction |
| OPV-17 | SDS TBD | Offshore Patrol Vessel | TBD | TBD | TBD | Planned |
| Daoan Congressional Republic Navy
| ||||||
| TKD-331 | TCQ Trần Việt Thắng | Guided Missile Frigate | 2010 | 2012 | 2013 | Active |
| TKD-332 | TCQ TBD | Guided Missile Frigate | 2010 | 2012 | 2013 | Active |
| TKD-333 | TCQ TBD | Guided Missile Frigate | 2012 | 2014 | 2015 | Active |
| TKD-334 | TCQ TBD | Guided Missile Frigate | 2012 | 2014 | 2015 | Active |
| TKD-335 | TCQ TBD | Guided Missile Frigate | 2014 | 2016 | 2017 | Active |
| TKD-336 | TCQ TBD | Guided Missile Frigate | 2014 | 2016 | 2017 | Active |
| TKD-XXX | TCQ TBD | Guided Missile Frigate | 2021 | 2023 | TBD | Under Construction |
| TKD-XXX | TCQ TBD | Guided Missile Frigate | TBD | TBD | TBD | Planned |
| Daoan Pioneer Corps
| ||||||
| TBD | TCQ TBD | Offshore Patrol Vessel | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Active |
| TBD | TCQ TBD | Offshore Patrol Vessel | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | Active |
| TBD | TCQ TBD | Offshore Patrol Vessel | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Active |
| TBD | TCQ TBD | Offshore Patrol Vessel | 2022 | 2023 | TBD | Under Construction |
| Kainuinoan Navy
| ||||||
| TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Kajeran Navy
| ||||||
| TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Navy of the Republic
| ||||||
| TBD | TBD | Offshore Patrol Vessel | TBD | TBD | TBD | Active |
| TBD | TBD | Offshore Patrol Vessel | TBD | TBD | TBD | Active |
Operators
Current
- The Ankat People's Navy order of two guided-missile frigates, JN Nishant and JN Esheno successfully entered service in a combined service on 8 December 2022. One month later the government confirmed that one other ship, the JN Vidane, was also ordered, which launched in 14 May 2023 and is currently being fitted out.
- Originally the Royal Navy ordered the procurement of four units of the Offshore Patrol Vessel variant with an option to procure an additional two. During the construction process however the Maritime Protection Service was split off from the Royal Navy as a federal law enforcement agency of the ministry of TBD. Hence upon delivery the ships were transferred to the authority of the MPS and are locally designated as the Kanzler-class.
- The Daoan Navy operates a total of six frigates of the Independence-class in its inventory. Construction began in 2013 and first delivery was completed in 2015. The Daoan Pioneer Corps, the nation's multi-service law enforcement agency, operates XX of the OPV versions of the Independence-class.
- TBA
- TBA
- TBA