Quite alot of interest on this topic, hence new topic.


UNDERWAY REPLENISHMENT
Underway replenishment has always been recognized as
important, but took a back seat in development until it was
absolutely required. Research indicates that underway
replenishment dates back to the days of sail. Since then,
there have been four major periods in the development of
underway replenishment. The first was at the turn of the
century when coaling-at-sea was investigated. The second
was refueling-at-sea development. The third was underway
replenishment during World War II and the Korean War. The
final period was the late l95Os when the modern underway
replenishment concept was developed.
From the underway replenishment concept came the modern
underway replenishment ships and equipment. Underway
replenishment by these ships has evolved into a highly
efficient and reliable system that can replenish the naval
fleet day or night in all kinds of weather. This
replenishment is accomplished using single-product
replenishment ships (fleet oilers, combat stores ships, and
ammunition ships) and multi-product ships (fast combat
support ships and replenishment oilers). Each ship's
capabilities are taken into account when deciding what type
of ship is going to be used to handle fleet commitments.
There are not enough replenishment ships to handle all
the replenishment requirements that could occur during a
major crisis when much of the fleet would need support.
The Navy is looking at using various merchant tankers and
containerships to aid the Navy replenishment ships in fleet
support.
Underway replenishment has positive direction and
enjoys higher status than the past. New ships are being
built, new equipment is being developed, and new ship types
are being explored to carry underway replenishment into the
future.


http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/lib...rt/1989/HDD.htm


http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/navy/docs/s.../Ms3/sld008.htm

http://www.strategypage.com/gallery/articl...os_20048290.asp

http://navy.memorieshop.com/Replenishment/Types.html

http://www.summerwings.com/Unreps.htm


Comment:
RSN have no dedicated Replenishment fleet ? It was posted by some Mil. nuts members right??

Perhaps, it using commercial resources...? :blink:

Found a website on Submarine tenders (Replenishment vessels) manned by WW2 veteran.....he have nice stories on the Battle of Midway as well...need some navigation at his site.


http://www.tendertale.com/

My goodness, what primitive method they have UNREP for subs. (< 2000 ERA)

Say! why do we need Replenishment vessel? The immediate zone of our national interests are within reach and i m referring to ASEAN. if anything that will effects our national interest or security outside the ASEAN CIRCLE.GUess the issue will definitely lure american intervention. So just sit, wait N see.

Your statement is right in a way; if RSN's role and operating SCOPE is so limited and sedate!

I strongly disagree, UNREP-capabilities would allow fleets from the Republic Of Singapore Navy to operate on station in the desire "theater of operations" for an indefinite amount of time, without having to "RTB" for critical replenishments (Both Peace-Times And War-Times).

And also, i'm specifically referring to humanitarian-operations (During Crucial Times) in countries as "far-flung" out as Cambodia / Vietnam, Philippines and in East-Timor. Regions..., whose military-aid and supports (From Both RSAF & RSN) could just as well improve the diplomatic-relations bewteen the two nations, for the better (IMHO).


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~~ Project-ION Phoenix ~~ ~~ Op. IceBerge ~~ ~~ Iowa_BB61 ~~ ~~ xxKuZNeTxx ~~


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Just checking some links….found this article about RSN made by the Navy League of Australia.

“……….The RSN is the most capable navy in South East Asia. Its potent mix of missile corvettes and submarines, in concert with the surveillance and strike aircraft of the RSAF, can control the waters surrounding Singapore, and allow it to exert control over the length of the Singapore Strait, one of the world's most vital waterways, and further a field.
The addition of the six stealth frigates, and the anticipated replacements for the Challenger class submarines, will allow the RSN to dominate the waters of its direct interest, and to project that power into surrounding seas.
The Delta class frigates will also provide the RSN with the capability to deploy naval power further from home waters, allowing participation in United Nations sanctioned maritime operations such as the Multi-National Interception Force enforcing sanctions against Iraq.
One key weakness in the Singaporean naval order of battle is the lack of support ships. Replenishment vessels would allow the RSN to extend into the South China Sea and to the entrance of the Malacca strait. It is more than likely that a Singaporean acquisition of such replenishment ships would spark unrest in the navies of the region as this would be the key indicator of Singaporean expansion.
With tensions periodically rising and falling between the nations of the region, the powerful RSN will still provide the rulers of their tiny nation state with a versatile and potent arm in support of diplomacy…………….”

Pse click the link to read the complete article

http://navyleag.customer.netspace.net.au/fc_07ros.htm

For MNs who were with us during the recent outing at INDEX 2007deploying Frigates but with Replenish vessel...in fact you can even locate these deployed vessel on the interactive map of RNZN vessels worldwide.
http://www.navy.mil.nz/visit-the-fleet/default.htm

http://www.navy.mil.nz/take-a-pic/ships/fr...a-endeavour.htm


You can also read about the RNZN Project Protector
http://www.navy.mil.nz/visit-the-fleet/pro...tor/default.htm

We got a lotta civil resources ( NOL fleet etc ) that can be tasked as merchant navy AOEs, there's just the matter of keeping them safe enroute ....

So one of issues would be should logistics in wartime be handled by military vessels only?

Once the supplies get where they are needed, the ways of transferring and distributing is not an issue - fast crafts, LCUs , helos etc , instead of just traditional RAS.

But it would be good to have a dedicated Oiler though....

Yes, we have alot civil resources...but these fellas are good for unloading when receiving vessels is static/moored; even the most armed vessel preferred to be on the move throughtout these replenishment during armed conflict....hence goes what we have as underway replenishment.

However, good thing is that RSN have practised these underway replenishment ex. during the US Navy. (was on the us Navy site sometme back)


I do agree that buying one of these dedicated Replenishment Vessel is not on the top "wish" list....in the meantime they maybe using this vessel (links below) for the suggested purpose. Have have seeing it quite often B) B)

http://www.pbase.com/toonstar/image/23089578

http://www.pbase.com/toonstar/image/23089569

http://www.pbase.com/toonstar/image/23089566


p/s click here to checkout our men in East Timor during UN Peacekeeping mission
http://www.pbase.com/toonstar/root&page=all

My guess,

Its a "2 hop" process, if you're using civvie tankers
Civvie ships will carry supplies from port to a RV point behind the maritime "frontline" ( sorry dunno the correct naval term )

Meet up with LPDs for transfers via fast crafts, LCUs , helos etc , that is in secured waters, so they can be static

Civvie ships returns to port, LPDs sails to Ops area to serve as AOE, does UNREP with fleet

Anyway, if you wanna know more about that vessel Avatar, you can check with CJ - he wrote a book on Operation Flying Eagle :D
Looks like a dry cargo vessel to me

Alvartar is used to train NS men. Used for ferrying supplies for humanitian dispatch.

What we lack is a fast way of transferring fuel. Going alongside is the only way now.

Revisting this thread again.......

Wish we have this underway replenishment capability....

Even PLAN already acquired this capability...hence covering Blue Waters now.

View pixs on PLAN Underway Replenishment capability
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/special-reports...t_4150202_2.htm

We're sharing with USN.

2009
http://www.clwp.navy.mil/CARAT2009/news/Si...e%20opening.htm

2008
ttp://www.msc.navy.mil/sealift/2008/February/singapore.htm

Australia also has dedicated fleet replenishment vessels.

I seriously can't make a business case for a dedicated vessel. Its not like RSN has permanent naval bases outside SG. For temporary deployments, it makes sense to leverage on "allied" capabilities. Plus formidable frigate range is sufficient to access most ports for refuel (reducing the need for unrep).

At least for China, it has bases in South China Sea that may require further and sustained deployments plus it has blue water interests. And China can't leverage on "allied" ports for refuel.

At ~350 tons of fuel per formidable frigate. It'd be a very small oiler needed.

I would think upgrading LPDs with limited buddy UNREP capability might be feasible though.