Australian Defence Force

[Lord Jim]

Main Building must be a lovely shade of green at seeing those figures.

[Mercator]

I don't think this is too serious -- I think they are probably trying to get leverage on the French, and maybe develop further options* to take to Cabinet at various points in the decision cycle -- but something like a long term lease or buy of a couple for East Coast ASW training, while all the Collins are going though refit, could gain some attention, and keep the leverage on the French.

*like the Nuclear study a few years ago. Not really serious, but formally considered by cabinet for the benefit of others in the party/cross-bench and then rejected. Senator Patrick [former submariner and member of the cross-bench] for example, might have demanded this at some point.

[seaspear]

It's far more likely that the Collins-class fleet will have an extension of life program that is expensive but will include modernisation
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/al ... r-upgrade/
There are also developments in robotics to consider that may be as important as the submarines, in their abilities and certainly developing an ability to design, manufacture and deploy large numbers either acting independently or under control of a submarine can be crucial
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/specia ... c50ee19def
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambl ... 67235635e5
https://www.itnews.com.au/news/swarms-o ... nes-552372
https://www.aspi.org.au/opinion/drone-s ... lter-rules

[ArmChairCivvy]

an extension of life program that is expensive but will include modernisation

Saab will be well positioned to help as they have designed the Blekinge Class in-between
... so drop in a few things from that design (functionally much like how A216 was sketched to be, though of course much smaller)

[Lord Jim]

Possibly drop in the SAAB designed missile module with VLS for six TLAM being one fitting out option?

[Mercator]

It's far more likely that the Collins-class fleet will have an extension of life program that is expensive but will include modernisation
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/al ... r-upgrade/
There are also developments in robotics to consider that may be as important as the submarines, in their abilities and certainly developing an ability to design, manufacture and deploy large numbers either acting independently or under control of a submarine can be crucial
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/specia ... c50ee19def
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambl ... 67235635e5
https://www.itnews.com.au/news/swarms-o ... nes-552372
https://www.aspi.org.au/opinion/drone-s ... lter-rules

Yes, but folks are worrying that the LOTE will be longer than a FCD and take 2 Collins at a time leaving only 3-4 available, at best, right when China is most likely to make a move. It's also partly why sometimes only 5 Collins are projected to be put forward for LOTE -- 6 will butt into the build time of the new subs too much. Plus the cost.

Don't get me wrong -- LOTE will go ahead -- it's just availability is focusing minds, I think. Especially when the submariner force is supposed to be ramping up.

[Mercator]

Saw this article on the navy's new RIB sim. Looks innovative...

https://news.defence.gov.au/capability/ ... y-training

[Lord Jim]

It is a very good idea, and enables the learning of the basics in a safer controlled environment. Now they just need to build a bigger one to simulate boarding another vessel, ideally larger than a fishing boat.

[seaspear]

this magazine provides some interesting information on what the Australian army is looking to purchase
https://defencetechnologyreview.partica ... lipbook/0/

[Meriv9]

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australi ... uxbndlbing

Australia will spend $10billion on re-fitting its six submarines

[ArmChairCivvy]

10bn for 6 for ten years (more); well 5 really as one will be under the works at any given time

50 bn to get 12 new, but over 2035-2050

The first 'tenner' well spent, so as not to have a sub holiday, akin to ours with carriers.
More like a frigate game; when the first refurbed one expires, the first new boat (all going to plan) will be ready
... so despite the mega prgrm, the sub fleets numbers will take c. 15 years to start to grow?

[Lord Jim]

In both size and capability. I wonder if they will go after either the sub launched (on paper) Anglo/French Cruise Missile or look to the US for the reinvented dual Anti-Ship and Land Attack version of the TLAM. This would give these planned new AIP SSNs a very large area of influence both on land and sea.

[seaspear]

There have been some discussions with a view of relooking at the contract or doubting the potential of the Attack class submarine, the attached article perhaps states one of the advantages over comparative submarines
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/20 ... ip-system/
Possibly this is a technological breakthrough

[R686]

https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/go ... 706-p58780

It appears the start of the Hunters is being pushed back due to the design problems for the Australian built radar, one thing I didn't know was that apparently as designed it only has growth margin of 270 tonnes, I was under the impression it had a fairly substantial growth margin

[Mercator]

Hawkei Vehicle Reaches Initial Operational Capability
11 July 2021

Joint Media Release

The Hon Melissa Price MP, Minister for Defence Industry

The next generation of Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle – Light has reached a significant milestone with the approval of Initial Operational Capability under the Project Land 121 Phase 4.

This brand new capability for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will provide a high level of protection for soldiers, with significantly improved mobility enabling it to operate in high threat environments.

Minister for Defence the Hon Peter Dutton MP said the $2 billion project would see the new fleet of 1,100 Australian-built light protected vehicles rolled out to Army and Air Force units.

“The Hawkei is expected to reach Full Operational Capability in 2023 and is joining the existing Bushmaster and Protected Medium Heavy Capability trucks to create a suite of protected mobility vehicles,” Minister Dutton said.

“The new fleet of lighter vehicles, which will come with 1,058 trailers, will better protect ADF personnel from blast and ballistic threats.”

Minister for Defence Industry the Hon Melissa Price said the Hawkei project is delivering vehicles manufactured in Victoria at the Thales Protected Vehicles facility in Bendigo.

“This project is an excellent example of Australian industry providing Defence capability to meet Australian requirements,” Minister Price said.

“Hawkei has been designed and built in Australia by Thales Australia, which supports Australian jobs and Australian service personnel.

“The production of the Hawkei is sustaining approximately 210 jobs in Thales’ workforce in Bendigo, creating about 35 more jobs as part of the support contract, and establishing around 180 additional jobs as part of Thales' supply chain supporting production.

“The production and ongoing support of the Hawkei vehicle in Australia creates significant long-term opportunities for Australian industry, including the potential for export,” Minister Price said.

Defence and Thales Australia have resolved a braking issue identified in late 2020, with a technical solution being rolled out across the Hawkei fleet.

With appropriate controls in place, Defence has lifted the Hawkei’s operating restrictions, enabling the recommencement of full-rate production and rollout of the capability.
https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/min ... capability

[Lord Jim]

One has to wonder if given the wish to increase defence co-operation with our allies etc. why we have not looked more closely at this combination? Out SF have gained a fair amount of experience with the Bushmaster and that design has further evolved and improved. Was the cost of the JLTV the only reason it was selected without any real competition? It goes without saying that the Hawkei does look better so surly that should be part of any discussion!

[SW1]

I would more be wondering how Australia managed to design and manufacture the vehicle in country. Yet the MOD and army seem incapable of wanting to do similar in this one without salivating over foreign production even though it has had many options to do so.

[seaspear]

Don't usually post straight from Wiki but elements of the selection and build incurred some questions still unanswered as this post mentions
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawkei

[mr.fred]

I would more be wondering how Australia managed to design and manufacture the vehicle in country. Yet the MOD and army seem incapable of wanting to do similar in this one without salivating over foreign production even though it has had many options to do so.

I would hazard that it was because the parties involved in Australian procurement wanted it.

[Lord Jim]

I wonder if Thales would take over the Warrior CSP assembly site, to build such platforms if we had selected them instead of going with, for the present at least, the JLTV, which I believe will be build in teh US and only have UK specific kit added in teh UK.

[RunningStrong]

I wonder if Thales would take over the Warrior CSP assembly site, to build such platforms if we had selected them instead of going with, for the present at least, the JLTV, which I believe will be build in teh US and only have UK specific kit added in teh UK.

Lockheed Martin Ampthill? The site is a lot more than just turret building. Can't see how Thales could just take on part of it.

[tomuk]

At one point in the dim and distant when Oshkosh were competing with MAN for the SV contract they promised to do at least vehicle assembly in a plant they would open in South Wales. Why haven't MOD made that a requirement of the JLTV purchase?

[seaspear]

An earlier report says it all
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-09/ ... d/13044330

[seaspear]

This report on the visit by the P.L.A.N spy ship ahead of military exercises a ship with the name of Uranus it may get a nickname whilst visiting
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-14/ ... /100289192

[J. Tattersall]

This report on the visit by the P.L.A.N spy ship ahead of military exercises a ship with the name of Uranus it may get a nickname whilst visiting
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-14/ ... /100289192

I anticipate the RAN will run rings around it