Lodamun

[imperialpearl]

Earlier this morning the Defence Procurement Administration (DPA) announced that following an intense bidding process involving both foreign and domestic competitors, the Lodamese Navy had selected the design of a Kazulian firm for the Coast Guard’s future icebreaker. For the better half of a decade, the Lodamese Coast Guard, having expressed its intention to establish a clear Lodamese presence in the Arctic/White Ocean following the downing of a maritime patrol drone under suspicious circumstances, has sought to acquire icebreakers which will form an essential part of the infrastructure/assets needed to operationalise this intended presence. Lodamese interest in the Arctic/White Ocean largely stems from the fact that passages in the region are traditionally used by vessels of the Harrington Company transiting the area via Hutorian and Trigunian LNG terminals. In usual instances, Historically. Lodamun has relied on Trigunian and Hutorian icebreakers, to create safe pathways for HC vessels to traverse the otherwise dangerous waters. However, amidst the lull in activity within Hutori and Trigunia still rebuilding the pieces of its fractured nation following the devasting civil conflict, safe routes throughout the region have been dwindling, even as some private sector entities have stepped up. Secretary of Defence Kristian Harding stated that this vulnerability had prompted the DoD and the DoDS to look into the procurement of icebreakers for service within the Lodamese Coast Guard. “We have long underscored the importance of Lodamun possessing the ability to conduct operations independent of other states and have historically registered our hesitance at being dependent on the goodwill of other nations. Eventually, that goodwill runs its course and we are left at the behest of these states,” Secretary Harding explained. Although the Lodamese Coast Guard maintain two icebreakers, the Commandant of the LCS Admiral Thomas Doyle confirmed that these vessels remain in drydock undergoing significant repairs and refitting. “It would be an understatement to call what we’re attempting to do to these vessels a “mid-life extension”. This is like the horse is clearly at the end of its life and we’re asking it to do 5 more seasons.” Secretary of Domestic Security Stanley Brennan noted that although a decision is yet to be made as to the fate of the Coast Guard’s two aged icebreakers, there had certainly been a major push to procure a new, more modern class of icebreaker/patrol vessel. “We were well aware of the deficiencies within the Coast Guard and thus decided to work with the Department of Defence towards acquiring new units/assets to support what we believe ought to be an expanded role for Lodamun in the Arctic/White Ocean,” Secretary Brennan explained.
 
The vessel in question refers to a variant of the current (Svalbard-class) currently operated by the Royal Kazulian Coast Guard. The contract had been granted to Asvald Gruppen Maritime for the vessel’s design whilst Dodson Shipyards is expected to construct four (4) ships of the class. In keeping with the Lodamese Coast Guard’s established conduct in the Arctic/White Ocean, although the vessel exists as a patrol craft, it would nonetheless possess minimal armament/offensive capabilities. “We have committed to ensuring the Arctic/White Ocean remains a zone for peace in keeping with the precedent set by Kazulia. Our drone operations out of Dolgava are largely conducted by long-range high-endurance drones by the Lodamese Navy and thus these vessels will not possess armaments in excess of 35mm cannons and small munitions,” Secretary Brennan explained. Unlike their Trigunian counterparts, the vessels will not be nuclear-powered but will instead be powered by diesel-electric engines designed by Hudson & Pike in Milford. “There was serious contemplation on whether we ought to go the nuclear route as Trigunia did, however, we ultimately believed that it would be more viable for us to utilise diesel-electric engines, given the potential cost-overruns often associated with the design and construction of nuclear-powered vessels,” Brennan added. Admiral Doyle stated that the proposed vessel would feature numerous capabilities including being able to launch helicopters, medium-range drones as well as AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles). The supposed cost of the four ships stands at around $1.7 billion LOD.