04-05-2004, 07:48
Rykian News Network
PORT SAINT MICHAEL - President Lighter cut the red ribbon at the launching ceremony of the nation's first home-built warship in Dock 3 at Bresson Shipyards this afternoon. Bresson Maritime International (BMI) designed the 'fast patrol frigate' to upgrade the naval strength of the country. Lighter called the occasion "historic" in his speech highlighting the importance of Rykia designing its own weapon systems.
Some criticized the president and the prime minister in a morning session of Parliament for, what Representative Dan Hutchinson called the "[squander of] the scant revenue from taxes in a nation of peace on unnecessary machines of war." Hutchinson, however, was only one of a half-dozen in Parliament who opposed the budget, which called for an increase in defense expenditures.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the contract with BMI calls for the construction of four frigates to be completed in subsequent years starting next year with the completion of the RNS Vesper. Each ship cost approximately $1.25 billion.
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Ministry of Defense Press Release
Vesper class fast patrol frigate
Crew: 214
Displacement: 7,087t
Top Speed: 28 knots
Armaments: 8 Harpoon missiles, 12 SA-na-2 Peregrine missiles, 1 Alberti Kyala 127mm gun, 1 x 15-cell Royson THOR CIDS unit, 1 helo landing pad
PORT SAINT MICHAEL - President Lighter cut the red ribbon at the launching ceremony of the nation's first home-built warship in Dock 3 at Bresson Shipyards this afternoon. Bresson Maritime International (BMI) designed the 'fast patrol frigate' to upgrade the naval strength of the country. Lighter called the occasion "historic" in his speech highlighting the importance of Rykia designing its own weapon systems.
Some criticized the president and the prime minister in a morning session of Parliament for, what Representative Dan Hutchinson called the "[squander of] the scant revenue from taxes in a nation of peace on unnecessary machines of war." Hutchinson, however, was only one of a half-dozen in Parliament who opposed the budget, which called for an increase in defense expenditures.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the contract with BMI calls for the construction of four frigates to be completed in subsequent years starting next year with the completion of the RNS Vesper. Each ship cost approximately $1.25 billion.
***
Ministry of Defense Press Release
Vesper class fast patrol frigate
Crew: 214
Displacement: 7,087t
Top Speed: 28 knots
Armaments: 8 Harpoon missiles, 12 SA-na-2 Peregrine missiles, 1 Alberti Kyala 127mm gun, 1 x 15-cell Royson THOR CIDS unit, 1 helo landing pad