Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0

[Morgo]

My personal preference would be to see a class named after RAN heroes. I know the Collins class were so named, but there are many other names out there that could be recognised. Goldsworthy, Gosse, Mould, Syme, Rodgers & Bagot all George Cross winners. Taylor, Shipp, Emms, Bush, Rudd, Staples & Gillard were all nominated for the Victoria Cross but ultimately not awarded as such. Cheers.

Sadly, we can’t have an HMAS Gillard given a certain PM gutted the proposed recapitalisation of the RAN.

That 4th Hobart would be pretty handy right now…. as would some new subs….. as would’ve a stockpile of Tomahawks…. thanks Julia.

 

[Morgo]

I wonder if this is a theme that goes with the strategy of the eventual east coast submarine base. If I remember Newcastle was one of the proposed sub sites. Makes sense to build a submarine facility that can also support surface ships, spreads the costs.

FBW has a lot of wharf space, particularly with Henderson coming online for maintenance, so I would have thought it is fine for say six-eight new frigates.

The sites being considered for the sub base are apparently Port Kembla, Newcastle and Brisbane. I personally thought Kembla made the most sense (as does Defence reportedly) as it gives the quickest access to the continental shelf (although longest transit times) and access to the workforce of southern and south west Sydney. It’s also in close proximity to Lucas Heights so there’s the opportunity to concentrate activities with the SSNs and scale up the nuclear industry.

 

[seaspear]

Sadly, we can’t have an HMAS Gillard given a certain PM gutted the proposed recapitalisation of the RAN.

That 4th Hobart would be pretty handy right now…. as would some new subs….. as would’ve a stockpile of Tomahawks…. thanks Julia.

Convert Williamstown into Port Gilliard naval base then government wont shut it down

 

[StingrayOZ]

I wonder if the Mogami's will be delivered with SeaRAM?

If they are, will the RAM use the system on other platforms?

I suppose maybe they could be delivered without and the RAN could fit Phalanx.

It would need to be signed off by the Navy, the deputy PM and defence industry minister. That would be a variation, and cost more, and then someone would have to do some sort of integration work. No matter how minimal, even if its just to check where munitions can be loaded and firing arcs, money and time. The political cost is too high. If there is any modification, and the project is delayed or costs more, it will be on them. Also many would see that as a downgrade. Part of the low crewing is weapons that are low crewing. So any changes, no matter how simple will be heavily contested.

I actually think they will be delivered with them. SeaRam isn't the worst system, and it was what the ships were designed with in mind, and its a US munition and system. It would be useful to have some of them in the pool and become familiar with them. SeaRAM would be IMO a better fit for things like LPD/LHD/AOR..

I think its a pretty good outcome. There was a lot of focus on up arming OPVs.. Now we are getting Mogamis, that whole concept seems to be unpopular. The evolution of this project has been interesting, we showed no interest in the original frigates back in 2017-2018..

11 Mogami + 6 Hunter + 3 AWD.. Gets us 20 pretty good surface combatants.

 

[d-ron84]

Since we're getting SSNs, is there really any benefit to having an east coast sub base?
The biggest reason for it was the slow transit speeds of Diesel Electric boats, we don't really have that problem anymore.
With the defence budget as tight as it is, why spend an inordinate amount of money setting up a base from scratch? It's a big undertaking , you not only need to build the infrastructure to support the military side, you also need all the defence contractors, logistics support et al.
I can see so many more uses for that money