Procurement programme of the Royal Australian Navy
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The Royal Australian Navy, although a significant one in the Asia-Pacific region, is nonetheless classed as a medium sized navy. Its fleet is based around two main types of surface combatant, with limited global deployment and air power capability. However in 2000, a major white paper was produced by the Australian government which set out a programme of defence spending that will see significant improvements to the RAN's fleet and capabilities.
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[edit] Major Surface Combatants
The RAN has two main classes of surface combatant:
- Adelaide class guided missile frigate
- Anzac class frigate
The Adelaide class first entered service in the early 1980s, with a total of six units eventually being constructed. The first four were constructed in the United States as part of the US Navy's run of Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates in the late 1970s and early 80s; the remaining two were built in the late 1980s in Australia. However, the later two units were constructed with largely the same technology as the previous four. As a consequence, in the mid 1990s it became necessary to think about upgrading the class as a whole. The FFG Upgrade Project (FFGUP) was initiated in 1994 with a view to installing improved armaments and equipment, with the most obvious addition being an 8-cell Mk 41 VLS, similar to those fitted to the Anzac class. This will enable the ships to fire both the Evolved Sea Sparrow and Harpoon. The culmination of this project will see four ships upgraded; the two oldest units (HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Canberra) will be decommissioned.
The Anzac class is the latest major fleet type to enter service. The first unit was commissioned in 1996, with the last due to enter service in 2006. These vessels are more optimized for general warfare - as part of the continuing upgrading of these vessels, their anti-surface and undersea protection will be enhanced through the addition of the Harpoon, and a towed mine and obstacle avoidance sonar.
The most significant current project is the Air Warfare Destroyer. This will eventually see three new air defence destroyers enter service, which will replace the Adelaide class. These ships will be fitted with the AEGIS combat system, and will be based on either the United States Arleigh Burke design design or the Spanish F100 design. The class has a planned in service date of 2013, with the three units to be named Hobart, Brisbane and Sydney.
At a much earlier planning stage is the RAN's new class of two Canberra class amphibious vessels. These ships, which will displace approximately 20,000 tonnes, will perform in the air support, amphibious assault, transport and command roles, and will replace HMAS Tobruk and one of the Kanimbla class vessel. The government has chosen two finalists for the competition to determine the final design to be constructed. The ships are to be designed to be able to transport up to 1,000 personnel and 150 vehicles, plus provision for a mix of transport and attack helicopters. The two competing designs resemble aircraft carriers, and will have six helicopter landing spots and hangar space for troop lift and armed reconnaissance helicopters (ie. helicopter carrier). The new ships will be named Canberra and Adelaide. The second 'Kanimbla' class amphibious vessel is to be replaced by a strategic sealift capacity, presumably a commercial-style Ro-Ro vessel. This will provide the capacity to transport equipment, supplies and forces into zones of operation but require dock facilities to disembark equipment.
[edit] Minor Vessels
The RAN has taken delivery of six brand new Mine Countermeasures (MCM) vessels of the Huon class. These vessels are produced using Intermarine SpA's monocoque hull form, first used in the Italian Navy's Gaeta class. Each ship is equipped with a variable depth sonar, and a pair of Bofors Double Eagle underwater clearance vehicles.
The RAN's main patrol force is made up of the Fremantle class. However, these are in the process of being replaced by the new Armidale class. The first of these, HMAS Armidale, was commissioned in June 2005, and will be the first of fourteen. These vessels will be significantly more capable than the Fremantle class, and better equipped for a greater range of sea conditions.
[edit] Submarines
The Collins class submarines, the first of which entered service in 1996, are due to receive a major upgrade to their combat systems, with technology based on the US Navy's Virginia class. This new system will be introduced in conjunction with the new heavyweight torpedo.
In the longer term, the Collins class submarines will begin to reach the end of their useful life in 2026.[1] In order to meet an in-service date of 2026 advanced design work on the next generation of Australian submarines will begin by 2014-15. At this very early stage, it appears probable that the submarines will be Australian-built conventional submarines equipped with air independent propulsion and advanced combat and communications systems.[2]
[edit] Afloat Support
The RAN currently has two ships used for afloat support/replenishment at sea; HMAS Westralia is a fleet oiler, with a limited dry stores capability, while HMAS Success is a general dry stores/fuel replenishment vessel. The navy has initiated a project that will ultimately see two new purpose built vessels enter service by 2020. Initially, Westralia will be replaced by 2006 with a second hand oiler (double hulled to meet new international regulations) that will be converted during 2005. This vessel, formerly the MT Delos, will be renamed HMAS Sirius. Then, as this vessel reaches the end of its service life around 2018, a new vessel will be purpose built. At around the same time (approximately 2015), a replacement for Success will be constructed.
[edit] Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is currently an all rotary winged organisation. In 2001, the strength of the FAA was increased when 11 SH-2G Seasprite helicopters were purchased to operate from the Anzac class, supplementing the S-70B-2 Seahawks already in service. Due to problems with integrating their electronic systems the Sea Sprite aircraft have not yet entered service and the Sea Sprite Project may be scrapped.[1]
The SH-70s are in the process of being upgraded with FLIR and enhanced ECM, to improve both their surveillance and self-defence capabilities.
The Navy's Sea Kings, which have been in service for twenty years, will be replaced by 12 marinised MRH 90 helicopters by 2010. These aircraft are to be purchased as part a joint Army-Navy helicopter purchase.[2]
It has been proposed that the two multi-purpose vessels be designed to operate fixed wing aircraft such as the F-35B Lightning II, restoring fixed wing flying to the FAA, which ended in 1984. The Australian Government does not currently intend to purchase this variant of the F-35 design, however, and the ability to operate STOVL aircraft does not appear to be a criteria in the tender which has been released for the ships.[3]
[edit] List of Major Current and Future Projects
- Sea 1348 - Procurement of Anzac class frigates
- Sea 1390 - FFG Upgrade
- Sea 1405 - Seahawk S-70-B2 helicopter upgrade
- Sea 1411] - Anzac Ship Helicopter
- Sea 1414 - Procurement of Penguin anti-ship missile for SH-2 helicopter
- Sea 1428 - Procurement and installation of Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile for FFG and FFH frigates
- Sea 1429 - Procurement of new heavyweight torpedoes for Collins class submarines
- Sea 1439 - Installation of new combat system for Collins class submarines
- Sea 1444 - Procurement of Armidale class patrol vessels
- Sea 1654 - Replacement of afloat support vessels
- Sea 4000 - Design and procurement of new air warfare destroyers
A full listing of all current Projects is available at the Defence Materiel Organisation website.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Submarine Institute of Australia. Australia’s Future Underwater Warfare Capability – Project SM 2020
- ^ Patrick Walters (2006). Cutting Edge: The Collins experance. Australian Security Policy Institute, Canberra. Pages 10-11.
