Image source: topwar.ru
After the ambitious statement by US President Donald Trump about plans to build a flotilla of battleships, European military analysts decided to intercept the baton, suggesting the appearance of a hypothetical ship of a similar type, but based on European technologies, calling it Republique.
This is not just about a destroyer or a frigate, but about a platform capable of changing the balance of power due to its large size, sensors and an arsenal of missiles. The length of the Republic will be 255 m, width 27 m, displacement 32 thousand tons, crew 295 people, and a maximum speed of 31 knots.
These dimensions bring the project closer to the concept of a "large strike ship", which is a cross between a cruiser and an arsenal ship. The small crew is due to the high level of automation.
The platform will carry the Sea Fire radar (detection range up to 400-500 km) as the main multi-purpose radar, in an improved version that meets the requirements of a large anti-aircraft ship. Along with it, a second, huge long-range radar is provided for surveillance and early warning, like the Horizon-type air defense ships (apparently, the S1850M with an air target detection range of up to 400 km). Such a powerful radar scan is necessary for the timely detection of low-profile threats such as low-flying missiles and swarms of drones.
Image source: topwar.ru
In naval air defense, the focus will be on Aster 30 missiles (range up to 100-120 km) for zonal defense (outer contour) and Aster 15 (up to 30-35 km) for protection of the inner "circle", which will allow the ship to act as the central pillar of the flotilla. A large proportion of MdCN-type cruise missiles (with a range of about 1,000 km) will provide massive long-range strikes against ground targets. In terms of anti-ship capabilities, priority should be given to heavy anti-ship missiles and promising high-speed European missiles.
In order for such a ship to withstand a high concentration of threats, it needs a "last line" of air defense, which should consist of powerful means of self-defense: a combination of anti-aircraft systems and melee weapons, electronic warfare and a set of countermeasures that simultaneously counter drones, missiles and interference.
Image source: topwar.ru
The nuclear power plant will guarantee not only autonomy, but also the availability of electricity, which is necessary to ensure the operation of energy-intensive radars, electronic warfare systems, reliable cooling of sensors and advanced systems, including directed energy weapons.
The ship will be able to accommodate at least 4 NH90 helicopters (the detection range of submarines is up to 20-30 km with a range of 200-250 km), which will constantly search for enemy submarines, and a large group of vertical take-off and landing UAVs responsible for reconnaissance, targeting and retransmission.
The Trump-type battleship project involves a ship that will be able to withstand attacks, deliver a massive strike thanks to a large stock of missiles and act as a control center in the maritime zone. Republique prioritizes the duration of the campaign, multi-level air defense, long-range detection, network-centric combat and a massive missile raid deep into enemy battle formations.
