Shipbucket

I've been working on this for quite a while, working on the base on a document released by a proindependence lobby about which would be the necessary needs of an independent Catalonia according it's population, size and GDP.



The AU starts in a proindependence parties coalition electoral victory in next September 27th 2015 election. Winning parties coalition, negotiates at multiple sides negotiating partition with Spain and the transfer of state assets in Catalonia and partition of Spanish debt. And, with EU and NATO to become full members.

After multiple hard negotiations. The Catalan Parliament declares independence in September 11th 2016. Signing at the same day the ingres into Schengen area, NATO and EU and coining their own Euros since april the 23rd 2017.
I see the incorporation in mid 2020s the Balearic Islands after their own independence of Spain and the Catalan speaking Western Strip in nearby Spanish Region of Aragon in late 2020s.

Outline

Catalonia. Is situated in the North East Iberic Península; it's Extension is 31865 square Kms, it's populiation is 7554000 inhabitants (2013) and it's GDP is 203.615 millions € (2013) Catalan GDP per Capita is 26.666 € 2013. It's capital city is Barcelona, seat of all administrative powers. It Borders Spain in the West and South, France and Andorra to the north. While to the East there is an extensive 580 km coastline and it's EEZ.

The Catalan Republic is a Parliamentary Republic with an unicameral parliament. It's official Languages Are Catalan Catalonia, Occitan Valh D'Aran autonomous region and spanish is cooficial and widely spoken.

Catalan armed forces
The Catalan Republic Armed Forces consists of the following:
- Catalan Navy (includes catalan Marines and catalan Coastguard)
- Catalan Air Force
- Catalan Army and territorial Reserve(and Border Guard in wartime)

In initial period 2016-2022 or 2025s is the start from the roots period. As is the stablishment of Combined Headquarters and academies to formate officers, NCOs, technical personel and support services. In this period there is an important shortage of manpower, material and infraestructure, as actually there is also a currently a minimal spanish defense infraestructure in Catalonia (also Catalans haven't been very actractive joining spanish armed forces) so main future catalan navy bases have to be developed and existing infraestructure improved and adabted reducing the amount and tonnage of the initial catalan naval force.
Because of political decisions there isn't actually any spanish defense industrial complex in Catalonia in spite of being the major industrial centre.

Only a part of catalans in the spanish armed forces join the catalan armed ones there initial problems in attracting trainned personel also material deliveries are slow and the delivering of former spanish navy assets is slow. In this period Catalan navy cadets complete formation in Foreign Academies such: Darmouth or Livorno.
Also support services are stablished as local shipbuilding industry will receive a some orders of small warships, bases are being aconditioned from medium sized ports as Palamos and Vilanova, While Tarragona harbour is one of the most important deep water port in the mediterranean becomes Navy HQ and NATO base.

The GDP on defense it would be circa 0.6 on 2016 budget slowly growing to 0.9 in 2020. On this period I supose that Catalan armed forces would slowly grow to circa 6000 actives among them 3000 selective conscripts including about 700 + 100 conscripts in the navy and 3000 reserve 1 and 6000 reserve 2 reservists, Navy would be dependent on foreign support and will be able only of operating efectively in little beyond Catalan EEZ.

navy 2016-2022 or 2025
It's focuses in EEZ protection. and building infrastructures needed as maintenance centers. There are 3 coastal commandancies: North (Palamós), Center (Vilanova i la Geltrú) and South (Tarragona). Tarragona is the main Base. the Navy HQ are in Barcelona.

about 900. Officers, NCOs and Enlisted. + 200 yearly recruits and volunteer reserves.
6 Fast patrol craft. I thought in sentinel class. But I'll probably modify spanish current models o a create a model.
4-6 OPV I Though in Diciotti class or River Class. But I'll Probably use spanish current Models Such BAM and Modified Serviola.
6 USVs.
1-2 minewarfare ships.
1 High seas Tug
4 UAVs
4 helicopters

I welcome any comments, there should be more to follow and I hope to start posting drawings soon... And add 2 more periods for early to Mid 2020s and late 2020s.
To show expansion phases and the increases integration in NATO structure as Navy expandss and becomes capable to operate larger veassels and expend longer periods on the Sea.

I'm currently working in a Spanish BAM, Serviola and a modified Spanish Descubierta class corvette.


I case I suppose high tensions among Catalan and Spanish Goverment I would drop spanish made desing a increase the expansion speed.

Welcome to the Shipbucket.
One thing that already raises my doubts is the amount of personnel in the navy (600) and number of vessels. That number would suffice basically just for the ship crews (ca. 130 for Sentinels, ca. 120-210 for Rivers, 50-100 for the rest - USV's may be unmanned themselves, but somebody needs to maintain them) and not much more, but You'd still need staffs, communications, logistics and maintenance (shore based) and training personnel - I'd suggest no less than 1000.
Another thing that single mine warfare ship is not particularly effective force.

Bon dia!

I read a bit of the ANC document, but I give up after reading "The Atlantic & Indian Oceans..." They forgot the SSBN “Monturiol”!!
Personally, I doubt that the Catalan Navy will NEED something bigger than a pair of 1000 tons OPVs at best, and 6-8 Fast Patrol Crafts around 300-500 tons… But if we let the imagination run free… It needs 2 CVNs, 4 Kirovs, 18 DDGs, and a SSBN fleet…
IMO the extension of its hypothetical EEZ will be reduced by the Balearics Islands (Or they will turn Catalans as Valencia? ) and other neighbor countries zones overlapping … It won´t be an unobstructed 200 nm open ocean EEZ… and also don’t have any former colonies or far territories that require a true blue water navy projection… For me, the main task of the Catalan Navy should be, aside of EEZ patrol, to provide SAR services in his area of influence and little more (a bit of mine hunting maybe…)
I’m not sure about using Spanish ships, I don´t think they´ll give any support to raise the new navy...
As I stated before, the BAMs are not my choice because of its origin and their (for me) large displacement... and the Descubierta is an old design by now, but if they give us a pair as gifts, Ok!! but I still prefer a pair of old dependable and possibly cheaper French A69s…

Fins aviat!

_________________
WIP:
Argentine Socialist Republic AU

I also thing In first fase it could need something bigger, And BAM wouldn't be my choosen design. Considering my options but, I base my AU on a negotiated partition. So this means adding assets that formerly belonged to the kingdom of Spain. I'd rather prefered also A69s.
So by this reason I worked in a BAM to use it as a sort of Trainning ship and as to gainning experience taking part in international desployments. About Blue seas capability I found it necessary; as the great dependency of Economy Navy on Foreign trade and the great importance of catalan ports as entry-exit of EU foreign trade once the Ferrmed is finished.

Bon tarda. Espero sentir les teves apreciacions.

I added a Serviola Modified suppresing the 3" gun and some Electronics changes.

http://jaume1e.deviantart.com/art/Patru ... -535926483

I created some designs.

http://jaume1e.deviantart.com/art/CNAlmogaver-507239645

http://jaume1e.deviantart.com/art/Opv-Bam2-507420045

http://jaume1e.deviantart.com/art/OPV-P13-Ter-509034699

I correct and edit on your advices.

Hi!
I have read your original post again more carefully, and saw the 2020 Balearic incorporation and the negotiated partition issues, so the numbers of ships and Spanish origins equipment seems more logical to me.

About the doctrine, personally I doubt that almost no navy except the really larger ones can provide true and effective blue water escort forces for merchant shipping… For a small navy, I’m more on the “Sea denial” side… A strong coastal force based on FACs, anti shipping coastal batteries, some ASW/ASuW aircraft, and a threatening small submarine force as deterrent… For me, Blue water can be “desirable”, but not “necessary” at all, but as I said before, it’s just my opinion…

Regarding the ships, I´m still doubt if the BAM is desirable for a navy like this… I see them good for open sea EEZ control, but a 2500 tons ship just for training (I don´t know if they are “fitted for but not with” sensors and weapons) it seems a waste of resources for me… The same for the embarked NH-90s… I´ll vote for Dauphins or other smaller, simpler and cheaper helicopter (twin engined) than a fully combat capable NH-90… I saw the BAM as a “white elephant”… The only thing that I see useful of them it´s its helicopter, but I think a couple of Serviola class may be are a better choice that a single BAM… Spain will retain their valuables BAMs, and Catalunya will have a relative modern OPVs for at least 10 years, when they can obtain something customized for their requirements. Regarding your personal drawing, I note that the real ones have “bridge wings” with two small windows not present in drawings (even Navantia ones)…
Concerning the minesweepers, I´m not aware of “state of the art” designs, but I´ll vote for a handful of modified or dual-role 300 tons non-metal hulled patrol crafts with mine sweeping gear, something like the Danish Flyvefisken class…
For the tug, the already Barcelona-based SASEMAR Punta Mayor seems adequate (may be a little large) and plausible for me, or one of the 550 tons María de Maeztu class ……

_________________
WIP:
Argentine Socialist Republic AU

But if they intend to be part of NATO/EU they are effectively part of a large (HUGE) navy, what threat are they likely to face ?
IMO, Policing EEZ (very low level CG/SAR stuff cheap/small local patrol boats) + one bigger ship as a token helping out NATO (So NATO comes and helps if anything big happens).

I think FACs/“Sea denial” are really only useful peer v peer or to defend yourself from a larger power and in that case you shout for NATO/EU to come help..... (in the W Med who is going to be willing to fight the EU/NATO ?)

JSB

You are right, my fault, I forgot about joining NATO… In that case, I can agree with you about doctrine and “shouting for help”... But for me one of the pillars of achieve independence is to obtain sovereignty… and because history tells me than treaties can turn worthless, I´m not sure to rely on NATO… But this is only my opinion… On the other hand, maybe joining them turns out a practical way to cool down Spain-Catalunya frictions… God only knows…

_________________
WIP:
Argentine Socialist Republic AU

Also there are the 2 SESAMAR oceanics tugs moored at Tarragona.
I also think of BAM of a sort "White elephant" or as future conversion to corvette. I think that first period problem will, also I thought on Serviola's, but I didn't find a suitable blueprint kind drawing to work with.

I have worked a River class patrol boat.
About the minesweepers they wood of fiberglass hulls the easy part to build. although I thought in tripartite ot Hunt class.
About the NH90 I decided to keep it although I also thought in lighter helicopters because I though in use that helicopter for my future Frigates.