Brazillian Navy - Bicentenary Celebrations

[Guest]

Hi All

Picked up this piece from the All Africa web site @ http://allafrica.com/stories/200708030207.html - it mentions the 45 ships that will be taking part in the Brazillian Navy - Bicentenary Celebrations. Sounds like a great gig.

"Two War Ships Leave for Brazil Today

This Day (Lagos)
NEWS
3 August 2007
Posted to the web 3 August 2007

By Eugene Agha
Lagos

Two Nigerian war ships, NNS Aradu and NNS Nwamba are expected to leave the shores of the country to the port city of Rio De Jeneiro to join other 45 ships from littoral States for the bicentenary celebration of the Brazilian Navy. The two ships are expected to sail out of the country, from the Nigerian Navy Dockyard, Lagos State, to Brazil at about 4pm today.

The Nigerian Navy Director of Information, Navy Captain Henry Babalola who made this known to THISDAY yesterday further stated that already plans are in top gear to get the two ships ready in all respect. He added that the ships "will pay port visit to two African countries, namely Monrovia in Liberia and Dakar in Senegal before crossing the Atlantic to demonstate the capacity of Nigerian Navy to effectively safeguard the coastal territories of West Africa in particular and Africa in general. "They will also make whistle stop visit to the Brazilian city of Recife before moving to Rio de Janeiro which is the venue of the celebration and the international fleet review" he added. The port visit, he explained, are part of the diplomatic role of the Nigerian Navy. While in Brazil, the two ships are expected to undertake series of exercises. It would be recalled that a Brazilian warship took part in the Nigerian Navy Golden jubilee celebration last year. And the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye also visited Brazil when he assumed office in 2005. NNS Aradu, in 2005 also joined other Navies of the world in the Admiral Lord Nelson International fleet review which took place in 2005. NNS Aradu (F89) is Nigeria's lone MEKO 360-class frigate. The 412-foot ship is the biggest in the Navy's inventory. It is a multi-purpose frigate with capabilities for the anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare effectively participated in 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

The ship also processes capability for naval fire support, and electronic warfare. Additionally, she carries a ship-borne helicopter for anti-submarine warfare role, search and rescue (SAR), and enhanced surveillance/detection.

NNS Aradu was acquired by the regime of former President Shehu Shagari in 1982. The Aradu was recently refitted, refurbished and equipped after being alongshore for over 12 years.

The ship proved it was still seaworthy by taking part in celebrations commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar by sailing to Great Britain in 2005.

The ship, which carries a crew of about 250 officers and men, requires 500,000 litres of petrol per voyage. While NNS Nwamba was recently acquired by the Nigerian Navy from the US during the leadership of the former CHS, Vice Admiral Samuel Afolayan. France to Sell Anti-tank Missiles to Libya France has agreed to sell anti-tank missiles to Libya as part of a broader military agreement, the son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was quoted as saying by French newspaper Le Monde yesterday. "You know this is the first arms supply deal between Libya and a Western country," Saif al-Islam said, adding he expected more to be signed shortly. French President Nicolas Sarkozy clinched an accord on defense and signed a memorandum of understanding for a nuclear energy deal when he visited Tripoli last week, after helping to free foreign medics imprisoned in Libya. Sarkozy denied Wednesday the release was secured by an arms agreement, answering a question from journalists as to what deal had been offered by France by saying: "None." France has not revealed details of the defense deal, but Islam told Le Monde it was groundbreaking. "First of all, the accord covers joint military exercises, of course. Then, we will buy from France anti-tank Milan missiles worth 100 million euros [$136 million], I think." The deal also included a project to manufacture arms, and maintain and produce military equipment, he added.

The European Union lifted an arms embargo on Libya in October 2004, but Islam said the ban had effectively remained in place, blaming the Germans for putting the brakes on possible deals. Islam said Libya had been negotiating with France for a long time: "We have asked Sarkozy to speed things up." The Milan is a portable, medium-range anti-tank weapon built by a subsidiary of EADS, jointly controlled by French and German interests. Islam said representatives of two other French firms, Thales and Sagem, were in Libya to discuss deals. Islam also told Le Monde that Libya wanted guarantees that France would come to its defense if it was threatened, but said he did not know if this was included in the deal. Sarkozy flew to Libya hours after helping secure the release of six foreign medics held in jail for eight years for allegedly infecting Libyan children with HIV. "Now that the case of the nurses is sorted out, this is a golden opportunity opening up," Islam said"

Regards

Steve Ellwood
 :-)