Updates on the MKS180 ("Mehrzweckkampfschiff" - Multi-Purpose Surface Combatant)

Online, July 12, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Updates on the MKS180 ("Mehrzweckkampfschiff" - Multi-Purpose Surface Combatant) project's progress will be presented by Mr. Walter Merker from the German Office of Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB) this September 2011 at the Offshore Patrol Vessels conference (www.offshorepatrolvessels.com), an annual naval meeting taking place in Hamburg, Germany.

The contract award for the definition of the MKS180 (formerly K131) product lifecycle management concept to the German company ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH last month supports the objective to optimise the project management throughout its entire lifecycle, including analysis, project definition, service introduction and operation.

By the end of November 2011, ESG is to present the PLM concept, which should enable different processes and data, including marine use as specific calculation of fluid dynamics and simulation of shipboard operations to integrate and exchange.

The anticipation for the German Navy's new multi-purpose vessel comes during a time of great activity within the offshore patrol market, with the recent launches of the Gowind OPV for the French Navy, the Tor 994 in June as part of the Royal Thai Navy's patrol fleet modernisation, and the Kenyan Navy's refurbishment of its Nyayo and Umoja OPVs.

"The OPV, the light frigate, corvette, however you want characterize it, is actually one of the key building
blocks of the navy," comments Vice Admiral Sir Anthony Dymock, during an interview with Defence IQ. "It's part of your personnel development; it's how you deliver early command; early ability to operate independently. But also it provides, as far as a key naval capability, presence."

Global interest in developing these patrol ships highlights the fact that while the types of sea security issues may vary across regions, the requirement for dealing with these issues is a mutual priority, given the huge socio-economic cost of piracy, smuggling and terrorism.

Although complete details of Mr. Merker's address have not been publicly distributed, it is expected that he will provide an overview of the requirement framework, and discuss the demands of international expeditionary mission and littoral defence.

For media or conference enquiries, contact OPV@iqpc.co.uk.

For immediate release:
Kim Vigilia | Defence IQ | www.offshorepatrolvessels.com | opv@iqpc.co.uk | +44 (0)20 7368 9510