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USA plots naval revolution [25 November 1997]
The US Navy plans to forego modernising much of its surface fleet in
favour of accelerating the development of revolutionary technologies
such as directed energy weapons.

Indian destroyer commissions [25 November 1997]
India has commissioned the INS Delhi, its largest domestically built,
multi-role destroyer, after over three years of delays. Launched in the
late 1980’s, the 6,700-tonne vessel was built at a cost of $206.8
million.

USCG launches $8b programme [16 December 1997]
The US Coast Guard (USCG) is to initiate its Deepwater Capability
Replacement Project early in 1998, making its ships, aircraft and
command and control systems compatible with US Navy equipment under a
10-year, $8 billion programme.

Royal Navy Seawolf MLU project outlined [17-31 December 1997]
The UK Ministry of Defence has detailed the scope of the Mid-Life Update
(SWMLU) programme for the Royal Navy’s Seawolf close-area defence
missile system. The SWMLU, against Staff Requirement (Sea) 6571, is
intended to improve the capability of Seawolf to meet the evolving
capability of anti-ship missile penetration techniques and supporting
electronic countermeasures. The upgraded system is programmed to stay in
Royal Navy service beyond 2020.

US Navy’s SEAL Delivery Vehicle SLEP [17-31 December 1997]
US Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM) elements continue to
take deliveries of enhanced SEAL Delivery Vehicles (SDV) under the Mk
VIII Service Life Extension Programme (SLEP). The new underwater
delivery craft, designated Mk VIII Mod 1, provides several improvements
over the earlier Mk VIII Mod 0 craft.

Santiago’s submarine award [7 January 1998]
Chile has ordered two Scorpione diesel-electric submarines from DCN
International of France for around $400 million. The boats will be built
by France’s Direction des Constructions Navales and Spain’s Empresa
Nacional Bazan and be delivered in 2003-4.

The Chinese Navy is continuing to test its ramjet-powered C-101 antiship
missile and is developing a capability to carry two to four missiles on
its Huang-class fast attack craft. The C-101 is now being tested on
board a Hoku-class FAC. [7 January 1998]

Skyhawks for Brazil’s carrier [13 January 1998]
Brazil is negotiating the $70 million purchase of 23 A-4 Skyhawks from
the Kuwait Air Force for use on its Minas Gerais aircraft carrier.
Brazil lost its carrier capability in 1996 when it retired its last of
eight S-2E Tracker aircraft.

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