Belharra frigates become excellent submarine predators with CAPTAS-4 and Kingclip systems MK2

Through CAPTAS-4 and Kingclip systems MK2 combined with Romeo helicopters, frigates can be converted into top “hunters”, as reported by the French Navy. During tests of the CAPTAS-4 and Kingclip anti-submarine systems MK2, which all FDI frigates have in their main equipment were found to be Belharra frigates can detect enemy submarines at a distance with full accuracy. The test of the two Sonar, was done in the first Sea Trials of the French frigate ‘Amiral Ronarc’h, and was not simply limited to their operation and how they were handled by Nationale Marine’s specialized crew, but was extended to submarine tracking procedures and even to conditions that refer to actual operations. In particular, Sonar CAPTAS-4 was used – as indicated by relevant sources in Onalert.gr – for the first time in a new modernized version, which is to be certified during the next marine tests placed in time within December. The images that the French Navy gave to the public are indicative of the tests of the “Amiral Ronald’h” off Brest in the Biscay Gulf, in which one of Marine Nationale’s nuclear submarines participated, among others, but also a helicopter H-160. Specifically it is the Suffren-class ‘Tourville’ submarine, which is also in testing period before being delivered to the French Navy. The first evidence from the Sea Trials of the first Belharra is already aware of the Navy Staff and while the Navy Staff is awaiting the second test period, which is placed in time within December but also the beginning of the Sea Trials of the frigate “KIMON” in early 2025. At the same time Thales, a company of Sonar variable depths (Variable Depth Sonar) CAPTAS-4, presented its performance as part of the Euronaval exhibition, also in Brest. According to Thales data, CAPTAS-4 managed to locate an enemy submarine at a distance of 140 km. It is certainly an impressive performance, which if combined with the ability to locate submarines from the Kingklip MK-2 Sonar Trophy at 25 km, they turn Belharra frigates into a leading “reactor” submarine. If added to these data and anti-submarine capabilities of Romeo helicopters, it is easy to see that the fleet’s new frigates beyond the large anti-airprint, will be a nightmare for every enemy submarine, not only in the closed Aegean but also in the open eastern Mediterranean. Marine Nationale does not have in its arsenal the world’s top anti-submarine Romeo helicopters, thus the combination CAPTAS-4, Kingklip MK-2 and Romeo will be tested in the Greek seas, when the Navy has already received the first Belharra “KIMON” within 2025. Already, the Navy has received and gradually integrates operationally the first 3 Romeo helicopters, while within 2025 it is expected to arrive from the US and the rest 4. CAPTAS-4 is considered the world’s top global Sonar variable depth, which has already been awarded by US NAVY with “Hook’em”, the top distinction for the performance it demonstrated in all major NATO anti-submarine exercises. It was used with huge success by the French frigates FREMM and proved extremely effective in the Anti-submarine Warfare environment and in the “hunting” of “enemy” submarines with the ability to locate, monitor and lock them up over very long distances. The same award was won by French frigates and over the next two years as part of exercises with Units of the 6th Fleet of the American Navy. Only by chance is the fact that US NAVY chose CAPTAS-4 against any other sliding anti-submarine Sonar variable depths in order to equip the “Constellation” class frigates, which are also included in our Navy equipment program. The first CAPTAS-4 was already delivered to US NAVY in October 2023. Source: OnAlert.gr / Kostas Sarikas