Endurance 170 LHD
At IMDEX Asia 2017, the international maritime defence exhibition held last month in Singapore, local shipyard ST Marine unveiled a new addition to its Endurance family: The Endurance 170 Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD).
Based on the existing Endurance 160 design, the new vessel was designed as a multipurpose command and support ship for maritime operations. It can act as a command and logistic support vessel for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and search and rescue operations. The Endurance 170 LHD can also conduct amphibious operations and project power (troops and equipment) via ship to shore connectors or helicopters.
The design features 4,200 square meters of a helicopter deck and 5 helicopter spots on the flat deck. The hangar deck measuring 2,050 square meters can accommodate up to 10 medium-size helicopters.
The design features a well deck as well which can launch and recover four landing craft. Vehicle decks can receive 17 MBTs and 16 armored vehicles.
In terms of sensors and systems, Endurance 170 base configuration consists in a 76mm main gun, 4x 30mm secondary guns, 2x RAM launchers, 16x VLS for SAM, a fire control radar, a 3D surveillance radar, C-ESM and R-ESM sensors, two electro-optic sensors.
The design features a well deck as well which can launch and recover four landing craft. Vehicle decks can receive 17 MBTs and 16 armored vehicles.
In terms of sensors and systems, Endurance 170 base configuration consists in a 76mm main gun, 4x 30mm secondary guns, 2x RAM launchers, 16x VLS for SAM, a fire control radar, a 3D surveillance radar, C-ESM and R-ESM sensors, two electro-optic sensors.
IMDEX Asia 2017: ST Marine Unveiled the Endurance 170 LHD Screen capture from a ST Marine video on Endurance 170
The Endurance 170 has a length of 170 meters, a breadth of 30.80 meters, a draft of 6.60 meters for a full load displacement of 19,000 tons. Here is a thing to consider HMNZS Aotearoa is technically larger and heavier at 173.2m, beam for 24.5m and draft 8.5m and at 26,000 tons.
The ship crew complement is 140 sailors, the aircrew 150 sailors and the vessel can accommodate 400 troops.
The design has a maximum speed of 20 knots, a range of 7000 nautical miles at 15 knots and an endurance of 30 days at sea.
ST Marine has both the domestic and export market insight with this design. As we reported in February during NAVDEX, ST Marine teamed up with local shipyard ADSB to propose an LHD design to the UAE Navy.
Endurance 160
Endurance 170
The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) is also known to have a future requirement for a large amphibious vessel to supplement its existing, ST Marine-built Endurance-class of landing platform docks (LPD). The RSN operates four LPDs of this class displacing 8,500 tons. (see above Endurance 140) ST Marine is likely to face fierce competition from international shipyards, however. DCNS of France was showcasing its Mistral-class LHD and Huntington Ingalls Industries of the United States was showcasing its LPD 28 (USS Fort Lauderdale) design during IMDEX Asia 2017
The design on the Endurance 160/170 has been fleshed out, to the selling point that the models look very impressive. While just because a model has been made doesn't mean much but the Singaporean government is very interested, as that is the reason the 170 was designed from the 160 as they wanted changes, and these meant the vessel needed to be slightly bigger.
I personally like the design and of the Endurance 170 class LHD, it is not too large and would meet the requirements of the DCP 2019 and then some giving the NZG and NZDF the capability to project a small force if required and give the NZDF and NZG capabilities they have never had before. It would also be perfect to meet the requirements of the Joint Amphibious Task Force. (JATF)
- Why do I think the Endurance 170 LHD is a good choice for the RNZN.
- A closer look at the Endurance 160 LHD
- Sense of scale
The Singaporean Government wants two vessels in about the same time frame we want our second vessel, and if we play our cards right then NZG can tag two vessels on to this order, maybe second and fourth vessel (the forth replacing HMNZS Canterbury), while Singapore takes the first and third. Doing this will help keep the cost down. ST marine have proven themselves with the Endurance 140. Her draught of 6.6m is better than a few of the other at 7 and 7.1m (while it is only 400-500 mm it can make a difference to where she can do her thing)
Overall we don't know the cost of the Endurance 170 but I believe it would be well within the budget of 1 Billion + NZD. It would meet the requirements of the DCP and it give the NZG options they have never had before.
Endurance 160
