Algerian amphibious transport dock Kalaat Béni Abbès

Kalaat Beni Abbes (L-474) is an amphibious transport dock[2]of the Algerian National Navy. The ship built by the Italian firm Fincantieri as an enlarged and improved version of the San Giorgio class. The ship measures 143 metres (469 ft) long and 21.5 metres (71 ft) wide.[2]

Kalaat Béni Abbès underway
History
Algeria
Name: Kalaat Béni Abbès
Namesake: Kalâa Ait Abbas
Ordered: August 2011
Builder: Fincantieri
Launched: 8 January 2014
Commissioned: 4 September 2014
Identification:
Status: Active
General characteristics
Type: Amphibious transport dock
Displacement: 8,800 t (8,700 long tons)
Length:
  • - 142.9 m (469 ft) LOA
  • - 127.6 m (419 ft) LPP
Beam: 21.5 m (71 ft)
Draught: 5.3 m (17 ft)
Propulsion: 2 x diesel engines Wärtsilä 12V32 12,000 kW (16,000 hp)
Speed: 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Range: 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 km; 8,100 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement: 152 petty officers, quartermasters and sailors; 438+12 marines
Sensors and
processing systems:
Armament:
Aircraft carried: 3 AW101 transport helicopters or 5 Super Lynx helicopters type
Aviation facilities: Hangar for recovery of Super Lynx helicopters type

The ship has a continuous flight deck with two deck-landing spots for helicopters at the bow and stern.[3]

Ordered in 2011, the ship was commissioned by the Algerian National Navy on 4 September 2014.[4][5] 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.[6]

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.[7] The ship also carries a 60-bed hospital and operating theaters.[4]

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.[4]

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 76 mm turret and two 25 mm 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.[8][9]

References
  1. "Italian shipyard Fincantieri delivered amphibious ship Kalaat Beni-Abbes to Algerian Navy". Navy Recognition. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  2. "ENHANCED SAN GIUSTO CLASS". Fincantieri. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  3. Algerian navy orders vessel from Italy, United Press International, August 2, 2011, retrieved December 15, 2015
  4. "Algeria : KALAAT Beni-Abbes LPD delivered by Fincantieri to Algerian Navy", TendersInfo, September 9, 2014
  5. Zitouni, Aymen (September 6, 2014), L’Algérie prend livraison du porte-hélicoptères Kalaat Beni Abbes des chantiers navals italiens, Maghreb Emergent, archived from the original on March 3, 2016, retrieved December 15, 2015
  6. Gaïd Salah supervise l'accostage du nouveau bâtiment "Kalâat Beni Abbas" à Alger (vidéo)
  7. Bâtiment de Débarquement et de Soutien Logistique: an Italian Ship for the Algerian Navy, Briganti et Associés, December 9, 2013, retrieved December 15, 2015
  8. ACTUALITÉ Le nouveau bâtiment de projection algérien, Mer Et Marine, September 13, 2012, retrieved December 15, 2015
  9. Tout sur le premier porte-hélicoptère Algérien et son nom de baptême!, April 9, 2013, retrieved December 15, 2015
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