Shipbucket

Type 10 Armoured Fighting Vehicle

By the mid-1990's, Nanhae's Army began the process of searching for a new AFV to modernize their military. The mechanized component of their army was equipped with various versions of the Cadillac-Gage LAV-300, and Commando V-150s. While the newer LAV-300 was adequate for their armed forces, it was not used in great numbers and only fully equipped the two Marine Infantry battalions in what is now called the Rapid Reaction Brigade. LAV-300's were scattered throughout the other mechanized units as fire support vehicles, or infantry-fighting vehicles. But as the Commando was still the primary mechanized vehicle, the need was found for a new standardized AFV to re-equip Nanhae's army as part of it's overall modernization scheme.

Partnering with ST Engineering in Singapore, Wuheng International worked to jointly develop a new wheeled AFV for Nanhae's Army. The need was for a wheeled vehicle, as given the highly urbanized terrain of the islands, the strategic manoeuvrability of a wheeled vehicle was still considered to be superior to the tactical benefits of a tracked vehicle.

Development of the vehicle took over 10 years, due to the competing requirements of Singapore and Nanhae, but initial prototypes rolled out in the late 2000's, and by 2010 the first production version of the new Type 10 AFV was accepted into service, equipping the 101 Company, 1st Mechanized Battalion, 2nd Brigade outside the capital.


Type 10 AFV in Nanhae army configuration and colours.

The vehicle is produced for Nanhae in six production variants:
- APC variant equipped with a Protector weapon station, and armed with a FN MAG 7.62mm machine gun, and either a 40mm grenade launcher, or 12.7mm heavy machine gun,
(Carries 2 crew and 8 dismounted infantry),
- IFV variant equipped with a BAE E35 turret armed with a Bushmaster III 35mm autocannon, in essence the same turret and weapon as carried by the CV9035,
(Carries 3 crew and 4 dismounted infantry),
- the Direct Fire variant equipped with a Cockerill 105mm turret and Protector weapon station,
- an Indirect Fire variant equipped with an 81mm mortar system and a crew of 6,
- a command and artillery observation variant,
- and an ambulance variant

Each vehicle has a standard armour protection against 14.5×114mm rounds, in accordance with STANAG 4596 Level 4 requirements, although additional applique and slat armour can be fitted as necessary. The vehicle is not amphibious like the LAV-300, which has meant that the LAV-300 has remained in service as the primary AFV for the Marine battalions, although the Type 10 can wade across deep water up to 1.5m.

All six variants are currently in service with Nanhae's Army, and has been made available for export. Currently the only exports for the vehicle have been a limited quantity of APCs accepted into Philippine service.

They are cool looking ones, but I got one criticism. Taking in to account how large is basket of that IVF turret, you could not squeeze there 6 grunts. 4 would be more realistic number.

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Nobody expects the Imperial Inquisition!

Noted, and amended!

On a role with the FD stuff, so sharing another concept for Nanhae's army, to compete with the M-48-Type 21. I like both, and trying to determine which makes more sense.

T-72-21

(Same backstory, to a point, as the M48-21.)
As the armed forces went through significant reductions in size and improvements in capability after the cold war, the fate of the tank force was always pushed to the background. Small and incremental improvements to the armour or electronics were meant to keep the tank relevant for its intended purpose, combating airborne and amphibious armoured vehicles that would spearhead any opposition to a landing on the islands. However by the 2010's, it was impossible to look at the Patton as anything other than antiquated. The DoD in 2012 launched the Armoured Combatant Program to try and find a suitable replacement for the M48's. However it was quickly found that many of the options available on the market were not ideal for their needs. Foreign designs like the modernized Leopard 2A5 or A6 variants, the M1A1, or Lerclerc were found to be either too large or too expensive for the army. Another consideration was that five decades of army planning and logistics meant that none of the heavy vehicle movers could accommodate a tank as large as the modern 60-ton combatants, and would mean a significant procurement program to re-arm and equip the army.

Lighter options that wouldn't have this problem, such as light tanks or wheeled armoured fighting vehicles, lacked the armour and heavy punch that a tank provided, as the army was insistent on maintaining a tank force. By 2018 it was evident that the armed forces were going to struggle to replace the tanks, and a fierce debate began on scrapping the existing tank force entirely. However, a local company stepped forward with an alternative.

In 2020, Wuheng International, a company with a prolific past of upgrading and equipping Nanhae's army and air force equipment, announced that it had a proposal for replacing the M48. Having acquired two T-72M1's from the international market, Wuheng set about developing a modernization scheme that would marry an upgraded T-72 hull with an entirely new turret system, to satisfy Nanhae's requirements. The reason for this choice came down to the existing small size and weight of the T-72, relative to the modern tanks available to the army. The roughly 45-tonne T-72 weighed less even than the existing M48's, easily fulfilling the size requirement. The issue of course came down to the T-72's age and it's 125mm smoothbore gun, which made it incompatible with the armament found in allied tank forces such as the US, South Korean, and Japanese forces.



The end result as a prototype was the T-72-21 or Type-21 main battle tank. It took the existing hull of the tank and removed the turret entirely. The engine was replaced with a Perkins 1000hp diesel engine and new automatic transmission. Upgraded armour packs were fitted to the frontal arc and sides of the hull increasing the hull's protection. But the biggest change was the entirely new turret system. This turret was designed to fit into the existing turret ring of the hull, but was far more in line with the size and shape of contemporary western turrets. Gone was the 125mm gun and in its place, a Rheinmetall 120mm gun produced under license. This new turret, and gun, required the addition of a gunner to the tank crew, as it was decided not to try and incorporate an autoloader into the turret to reduce costs and weight. Modern fire control, C3, and electronic systems created a modern tank system. Composite armour was used around the turret as well which dramatically increased survivability compared to the base T-72M1's they were based on.

The upgrade scheme resulted in a tank that weighed in around 49-tonnes, which was still less than the upgraded M48's in service. The cost associated with the upgrade, including the costs of obtaining T-72's to provide frames with which to make the upgrade, were pitched by Wuheng to be comparable to the costs associated with purchasing new larger tanks from allies, along with their logistical train. The DoD is currently evaluating the tank system to see if it will be placing an order.

Thoughts? Which should Nanhae adopt?

Back again with some FD, and soon SD, scale stuff!

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Type 11 main battle tank

With the aging of the M48-N Patton tanks in service, Nanhae's army began the process of finding a suitable replacement for them in service. The "Armoured Capability Program 2010" was launched to develop replacements, to be in service by 2010, for Nanhae's Army in two critical areas:

- A replacement armoured fighting vehicle for the M48N, and
- A replacement infantry mobility and fighting vehicle for the M113A2

This also aligned with a change in doctrine as part of the 1999 Defence Study that called for the shift from a conscript-based army to a volunteer-based one. In 1999, Nanhae's Army had four divisions of which two were armoured. The transition to a volunteer force included reducing these from divisions to brigades in size, and from two tank regiments per division to a single tank regiment per division. Each tank regiment was to include four companies, each of 12 tanks, plus a reserve tank battalion of three companies in size.

The process of finding a replacement tank was rather tortuous and went through several changes in focus over the time. The first concern was determining whether to have a force of all MBTs, or to field a mix of light- and main battle tanks, due to the weight limitations of Nanhae's road and rail infrastructure. Most modern MBTs were too large for most of Nanhae's road network, but light tanks failed to provide sufficient firepower or armour.

It was with this in mind that Wuheng International, Nanhae's largest defence company, to begin a private venture to develop an indigenous tank that could fill Nanhae's needs and be a suitable tank for export. Development began in 2007 focusing on a tank that was to in the 40-tonne range, and have greater protection and firepower than the M48N tank in service. A partnership arrangement was struck with Hanwha Defense in what they called the "NMTX" program, or "Nanhae Medium Tank Experimental". In 2010, a mockup of the design was presented to the Nanhae Army for review and development funding, and once approved a prototype was delivered in 2012.


Type 11 main battle tank in base, and increased armoured, configurations.

The Type 11 was every bit a modern tank intended to replace the M48N. It featured a modern modular turret, designed and built by Wuheng, on top of a hull that was produced by Hanwha. Final assembly of the tank was to be in South Korea. The tank featured a mix of steel and ceramic armour in the turret and along the frontal arc of the hull, with steel armour being used for the remainder of the hull. In an effort to maintain lower weight, the turret and frontal arc of the hull carried the heaviest armour, with the remainder of the hull carrying less. Additional ceramic armour could be added to the frontal arc of the turret, and to the hull, to increase protection along with slat armour to protect against RPGs and HEAT. A Tropthy active protection system was added to the production version of the tank to enhance survivability.

The main gun was a licensed produced version of the Rheinmetall 120mm L/44 mated to an auto-loader to allow for a crew of 3, along with a co-axial 7.66mm machine gun. The main gun's auto-loader was arranged as a cassette and carousel type, with it taking up the rear and left-hand sides of the turret. The commander sat behind the gunner on the right of the turret, with the driver in the hull. A turret mounted SMG was mounted, as well as the option of fitting a remote weapon station for additional weaponry.

A 1,000hp diesel motor, coupled to an automatic transmission, could propel the 44-tonne tank to a maximum forward speed of 65km/h, and reverse of 50km/h. It's power-to-weight ratio wasn't as high as some tanks, but it was considered an appropriate savings in weight. With additional armour and weaponry, the weight of the tank would increase to 48.5-tonnes, which would reduce the top speed to closer to 60km/h.

After trials in comparison with the Leopard 2A4 and Leclerc tanks, it was deemed that the Type 11 was sufficient for the army's needs. An initial order of 96 hulls, plus 4 training tanks, was made with the expectation that all would be in service by 2018. Further orders would follow for an ARV variant of the tank, as well as additional tanks to replacement the M48N's in the reserve tank battalion. By 2022, 132 tanks, 8 ARVs, and 8 trainers were in service with Nanhae's army.

Exports

Type 11 in Philippine Army service.

The Philippine Army was heavily marketed to by Wuheng and Hanwha, along with support from Nanhae's government. After several trials, as well as a very lucrative sales package, the Philippine government placed an order in 2019 for 18 tanks, along with 2 training tanks and an ARV. The version sold (designated Type 11PA) was without the Trophy active protection system, or the additional ceramic armour. This was coupled with the sale/donation from Nanhae's stock of an additional 18 M48N's, and an ARV variant of the M48, as well as a commitment to supply Type 10 AFVs. Due to delays in production related to COVID-19, the first tanks are not expected to be delivered until 2023.


Type 11 in the Royal Thai Army.

The other foreign sale of the Type 11, thus far, was to the Royal Thai Army in early 2020. After trials of the tank, alongside the M48, M60, T-84-T, and VT-4 the Thai's agreed to order over 100 versions of the tank. The Type11TA (as this version was designated) included the Trophy active protection system, but did not include any additional armour package. An initial order of 49 tanks has been placed, with delivery expected to be completed by 2025, although the pandemic has pushed this to 2026. These are expected to partially replace the M48A5PI in Thai service.

Type 2015 Multi-Purpose Security Patrol Vessel

The creation of the Nanhae Maritime Security Agency (MSA) in 1955 with a mandate to take over the responsibilities for: maritime law enforcement, maritime security, search-and-rescue, disaster relief, surveying, and traffic management. From 1945 to 1955 when the MSA had been established, these tasks had been under the umbrella of Nanhae's navy. However it was found that with such a wide mandate it was challenging for naval planners to properly develop doctrines and equipment needs for the growing naval force. With the influence of US naval and coast guard officers, and seeing the benefits of the creation of Japan's Maritime Safety Agency, Nanhae's parliament passed the Maritime Security Act, 1954 to establish the MSA in 1955. (The force would be renamed the Nanhae Coast Guard Agency in 1978.)

During the first fifty years of its existence, the Coast Guard fleet was very specialized, comprising either second-hand patrol vessels from the navy or allied forces, or small patrol craft or specialty role vessels. The reality was that while the Coast Guard was sufficiently equipped for the humanitarian and scientific aspects of its mandate, the security mandate still forced the Coast Guard to rely in many ways on the Navy to provide ships or manpower to assist.

With the turn of the century, and the reduction in defence budgets with the end of the cold war, more money was allocated to the Coast Guard to allow better purpose built vessels to be established. One such vessel that was required was a large patrol vessel, to provide the Coast Guard with a sufficiently capable and organic class of ships to enforce maritime security. It would also allow the Navy to retire similar vessels in its fleet that were much older, and had really only been put into to service at a time when the Navy was seen to be a more logical choice for such vessels.

The end result was the Type 2015-class patrol vessels, named for when the year the first two vessels entered service.

Type 2015 vessel P-007 as launched.

P-007
P-008
P-009
P-010
P-011
P-012

The class was designed for both maritime security and humanitarian response. With it's stable design, spacious interior, helo-deck, and stern launch for a RHIB, it was capable of providing a wide array of services to the Coast Guard. And for self-defence and security, a 76-mm main gun was recycled from older designs in naval service to provide it some organic firepower, along with some remotely operated machine gun mounts.

One notable feature of these ships reflected the Coast Guard's mandate under legislation, to be seconded to the navy in the event of a national emergency. As such, the designs incorporate the ability to have additional weapons added in such an event. The fore deck was designed to have up to two-twin Marte launchers mounted astern of the 76mm. Above the helo-deck, a repurposed Mistral missile launcher can be added as well. Ideally, it should take only 48hrs in dock to have such conversions done, in the event of an emergency, and would allow these vessels to be seconded to the navy as lightly armed patrol vessels.


P-007 showing planned emergency configuration.

Type 70- and 75-Class Frigates

By the mid-1960's, Nanhae's navy was a mix of old WWII vintage Benson and Gleaves class destroyers transferred from the USN, and Loch class frigates from the RN. There were also a motley assortment of smaller patrol and mine vessels from a variety of sources. While this had been more than sufficient to support Nanhae's needs, and the navy was not a huge spending priority, the growing presence of the Soviet Pacific Fleet caused concerns for successive governments. By 1965 it was determined that the navy needed a modernization scheme. Various options were looked at, from upgrading the existing fleet, to purchasing USN equipment, and building new ships. Ultimately, the third was deemed the most efficient method for the money being spent.

Once that was settled, it was determined that the biggest need was for a series of ASW vessels to protect Nanhae's maritime trade from Soviet submarine activity. The end result was the Type 70 class.

Type 70 Class Frigate

The "70s" were laid down as a four-ship class in 1968, with the first ship entering service in 1970, and the last being in service by 1972. The vessels were built with a heavy ASW focus centred around the ASROC launcher on the bow. Depth charge rails on the stern, and a helicopter landing pad for an ASW helicopter rounded out this focus. Their other weapons included two pairs of 3"/50-calibre guns mounted on the bow and stern, and a variety of 50-calibre machine guns. Two 600psi boilers powered two shafts for combined rating of 22,000 SHP and a top-speed of 26kts.


F-70 Jianju as entered service in 1970.

The ships were considered very capable and comfortable, but were hampered by their slow speed making them unable to keep up with high-speed USN fleets or task groups. They also faced a major shortcoming in their lack of effective anti-air defences, beyond the 3"/50-calibre guns. Against increasingly fast and modern jets, these guns were woefully inadequate. So paradoxically, the ships in combat would need to operate within air cover or with the USN, which it would not be fast enough to keep up with. While it had only been intended to construct the initial four ships of the class, it was deemed necessary to build additional ships to fill this capability gap. This resulted in two additional ships being ordered to a modified design, which became the Type-75 class.

Type 75 Class Frigate

F-90 Chonghae as entered service in 1975.

The two ships of the second batch were designated their as their own class to recognize the differences between the two. While they shared the same hull as the other four ships, there were several key changes made. The first was the extension of the superstructure and deck, to accommodate a telescoping hangar and larger helicopter deck. This allowed the ships to carry an organic ASW helicopter in the form of the SH-2 Seasprite. This was to provide the ships with their ASW protection, as the ASROC launcher on the bow was deleted along with the 3"/50-calibre guns to allow for the mounting of a 5"/42-calibre main gun. On the stern, where had previously been the other 3" guns, a Mk25 launcher was added for the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow, which would enter service over the two years. The only other weapons aside from machine guns, were two quadruple forward firing depth charge launchers on the bow for a limited ASW capability on ship. Slightly larger boilers also afforded a top speed of 27kts.

These were intended to provide air protection for the less well equipped ASW ships, and were found to be equally capable in their designated field.

FLeet Life EXtension Program

In the early 1980's, it was determined that the ships were going to require modernization to keep them relevant, especially the earlier Batch One vessels. While plans were being drawn up for a new class of frigate to replace them (the later Lord I class), a scheme was developed to upgrade both batches of ships over an eight-year program.

The first such modernization was for the Batch One vessels:

F-70 Jianju after modernization, 1984.

For the Batch One vessels, the FLEX program saw several updates. The Harpoon missile was added to the Mk112 launcher for a much heavier punch. The stern 3"/50 gun was deleted and in its place the new Mk29 launcher for the RIM-7 was added. The depth charge racks were deleted, and two triple torpedo launchers were added to the stern as well.

This greatly prolonged their life and the ships remained in service until fleet reductions in the mid-1990s resulted in the last Batch One vessel being retired by 1997.

The second modernization scheme for the Batch Two vessels:

F-90 Chonghae after modernization, 1988.

For the latter two ships, their upgrades were intended to keep them in service for a great deal longer as they were not going to be replaced 1:1 by any new vessels. As such, a new AN/SPS-49 radar was installed to go with the new Mk29 Sea Sparrow launcher above the hangar. Two quadruple Harpoon launchers were added astern, along with torpedoes. This greatly rounded out the vessels, and they were kept in service well past when reductions left their sisters out of service. Both vessels were retired from service in 2008 after almost 40 years of service.

Type 70 Class
F-70 Jianju
F-71 Nanru
F-72 Yunsan
F-73 Wangan

Type 75 Class
F-90 Chonghae
F-91 Chingfong
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So that's some of my Cold War era vessels. Working on some smaller ones for this age, in addition to redoing my Aegis ships and some more modern designs.

that's some neet frigates

These DO look quite nice!

May I recommend taking a look at the parts wiki though, most of the fire control systems and the SPS-10 radar have gotten updated parts that would make these good looking ships even prettier.

Btw, make sure to recolour the parts from the parts sheets to be the same as that of your ship, the Mk 42 gun sticks out a bit right now because it looks like it is an different colour.

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Drawings are credited with J.Scholtens
I ask of you to prove me wrong. Not say I am wrong, but prove it, because then I will have learned something new.
Shipbucket Wiki admin

Good flags. I had recoloured the Mk42 but used far too light a shade, so appreciate the nudge.