Sunrise Bay Naval Update

[Waggoner]

The government of Sunrise Bay is pleased to announce the newest addition to the Sunrise Bay Navy, the SNV Blacktip, which is currently undergoing sea trials and is expected to be commissioned within a few weeks.  The Blacktip, named for the blacktip shark, will be the flagship of the nation’s fleet, which currently consists primarily of small boats and non-combatant ships.

 

Commodore Haynes, commanding officer of Sunrise Bay’s Navy, said that the Blacktip will be the first of several capital ships to be built for the island nation over the coming months and years.  At 205 feet long and displacing 543 tons, the Blacktip will be the country’s largest combatant vessel, but it is expected to be eclipsed by the purchase of several larger vessels in the near future.  Future plans include the construction of two to three larger patrol vessels and a guided missile frigate.

 

Sunrise Bay’s military leaders believe that the Blacktip – particularly her complement of up to eight Harpoon missiles – will be an effective deterrent to any foreign military which might attack the small country with a mostly tourism-based economy. 

 

“The presence of a fast, well-armed combat ship in Sunrise Bay’s waters will make any potential aggressors think twice before taking any hostile actions against us,” said Rear Admiral Stephens, the chief officer of Sunrise Bay’s military, “we are a peaceful nation and in my opinion, the best way to preserve that peace is to have the tools in place to defend ourselves if necessary.”  Stephens went on to say that the threat of piracy against commercial vessels is a legitimate concern and the commissioning of the Blacktip will allow the country to do a better job at protecting civilian vessels near the island.

 

The Blacktip is a Kiliç-Class Fast Attack Craft designed in the 1990s by German firm Lürssen Werft.  She was built on contract by the Turkish government at the Gölcük Naval Shipyard.  The Blacktip will be the tenth Kiliç-Class vessel, the other nine are all in service with the Turkish Navy.  After completion of sea trials, the ship will be homeported at Sunrise Bay’s naval base at Fleet Harbor.  In order to reduce the cost of the project, the Blacktip will be delivered with four Harpoon missiles aboard.  The Navy will attempt to procure four additional surplus missiles in the coming months, hoping to save some of $4.8 million the government would have spent to have the ship delivered with eight of the pricey weapons onboard.

 

“We’re excited about the launch of this new warship,” said President Waggoner.  “The Blacktip will be an excellent addition to our country’s arsenal and will be a fantastic complement to our Air Force and Ground Forces.  I’m pleased that the project was completed on-time and want to thank our friends in the Turkish Navy in providing us with a high-quality vessel.” 

Sunrise Kilic Class.BMP