Algerian amphibious transport dock Kalaat Béni Abbès

History
Algeria
Name: Kalaat Béni Abbès
Namesake: Kalâa Ait Abbas (Medieval Algerian Fort)
Builder: Fincantieri
Launched: 8 January 2014
Acquired: 4 September 2014
General characteristics
Displacement: 9,000 tonnes
Length: 143 metres
Beam: 21.5 metres
Draught: 5.3 metres
Propulsion: 2 Fincantieri GMTA 420.12 diesel turbines, generating 16,800 hp
Speed: 20 kts
Range: 7500 nm at 16 knots
Complement: 150 petty officers, quartermasters and sailors; 450 marines
Armament:
  • 1 Otobreda 76mm (removed from the San Giorgio and San Marco to add a helicopter spotlight),
  • 2 x Oerlikon 20mm
  • 16-cell SYLVER A50 VLS for 16 Aster 30 missiles[1]
Aircraft carried: 3 AW-101 transport helicopters or 5 light helicopters

Kalaat Beni Abbes is an amphibious transport dock of the Algerian National Navy, built by the Italian firm Fincantieri as an enlarged and improved version of the San Giorgio class. The ship measures 143 meters long and 21.5 meters wide. It has a range of 6000 miles at 20 knots. The ship has a continuous flight deck with two deck-landing spots for helicopters in the bow and stern.[2]

Ordered in 2011, the ship was acquired by the Algerian National Navy on the 4th September 2014.[3][4] The first official docking - and commissioning ceremony - was on 28 March 2015 in the presence of the Chief of Staff of the ANP and the High Command of the Algerian National Navy.[5]

Capabilities

The ship has an opening dock to the rear which allows it to launch up to three landing craft. The port side of the ship has davits which are able to launch three landing craft, and two fast boats for commandos. The ship also houses a garage for 15 heavy tanks and housing for 440 soldiers plus 150 crew.[6] The ship also carries a 60-bed hospital and operating theaters.[3]

The ship is continuously assisted by three craft also built by Fincantieri, named Chaland, which can each carry a heavy tank or a maximum of 140 personnel.[3]

Weapon systems

The ship is fitted with an EMPAR radar for detecting long-range threats, and 16 Aster 15 missiles in two vertical A-50 launchers, as well as a 76mm turret and two 25mm cannons that can be used for defence against aircraft or surface targets. The vessel also has a complete electronic warfare suite provided by Thales and Elettronica, linked to two SCLAR-H OTO-Melara decoy launchers.[7][8]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1985
  2. ↑ Algerian navy orders vessel from Italy, United Press International, August 2, 2011, retrieved December 15, 2015
  3. 1 2 3 "Algeria : KALAAT Beni-Abbes LPD delivered by Fincantieri to Algerian Navy", TendersInfo, September 9, 2014
  4. ↑ Zitouni, Aymen (September 6, 2014), L’Algérie prend livraison du porte-hélicoptères Kalaat Beni Abbes des chantiers navals italiens, Maghreb Emergent, retrieved December 15, 2015
  5. ↑ Gaïd Salah supervise l'accostage du nouveau bâtiment "Kalâat Beni Abbas" à Alger (vidéo)
  6. ↑ Bâtiment de Débarquement et de Soutien Logistique: an Italian Ship for the Algerian Navy, Briganti et Associés, December 9, 2013, retrieved December 15, 2015
  7. ↑ ACTUALITÉ Le nouveau bâtiment de projection algérien, Mer Et Marine, September 13, 2012, retrieved December 15, 2015
  8. ↑ Tout sur le premier porte-hélicoptère Algérien et son nom de baptême!, April 9, 2013, retrieved December 15, 2015
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