fantassin
07-17-2004, 06:22 PM
Remember last February :
ADF look at purchasing French, Spanish landing ships
25/2/04:
Australia could end up buying French or Spanish-designed warships in a move to better equip the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for amphibious operations far from Australia
Defence Minister Robert Hill said defence had decided in principle on the capability requirements it needed from two new landing ships which would replace HMAS Tobruk and HMAS Kanimbla or HMAS Manoora under the new Defence Capability Plan (DCP).
Senator Hill said the new vessels would need to be able to carry a complete battle group including infantry, tanks and helicopters and be able to simultaneously launch 12 helicopters carrying an air mobile combat team.
These will be among the largest warships the Australian navy has ever operated, possibly larger even than the navy's last aircraft carrier, the 15,700 tonne HMAS Melbourne.
"Defence has issued a request for information to two international shipbuilders - the Spanish company IZAR and the French conglomerate Armaris - concerning their respective new LHD designs," Senator Hill told a defence industry conference in Canberra on Tuesday.
The LHD - Landing Helicopter Deck - ships look like small aircraft carriers.
"This will help inform the decision on a preferred design."
Senator Hill said the new ships would be based on an overseas design but adaptation to suit Australian needs would require local knowledge and experience.
He said many of the ship's system components would be obtained from local industries to ensure through-life support.
Four Australian shipbuilding companies, ADI, Tenix, ASC and Forgacs have been asked to assist the government with its design evaluation, he said.
Under the DCP, HMAS Tobruk would be replaced when it reaches its service life in 2010 and the landing ships Manoora and Kanimbla in 2013-2016. The last to be retired would be replaced by a new sealift ship.
The DCP also envisages the replacement of the oil tanker HMAS Westralia.
Senator Hill said the ADF had decided the first two new landing vessels would need to be able to embark, sustain and transport a combined arms battle group with their equipment and supplies.
"The force needs to be able to train and rest while en-route to operations," he said.
"The ships will need the capability to carry and tactically deploy several hundred vehicles, including armour, plus trailers.
"They will also need the ability to airlift simultaneously an air mobile combat team from 12 helicopter launch spots between the two ships.
"They will each have hangar space for at least 12 helicopters and at least four conventional landing craft that are capable of carrying our new tanks. The ships must also be capable of providing the necessary command, control and communications to direct the battle group's amphibious landing and follow-on forces."
last thing I heard, the Spanish proposal was favoured because they were also offering 3 frigates for rock bottom price.
Anything new from down under on that score?
ADF look at purchasing French, Spanish landing ships
25/2/04:
Australia could end up buying French or Spanish-designed warships in a move to better equip the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for amphibious operations far from Australia
Defence Minister Robert Hill said defence had decided in principle on the capability requirements it needed from two new landing ships which would replace HMAS Tobruk and HMAS Kanimbla or HMAS Manoora under the new Defence Capability Plan (DCP).
Senator Hill said the new vessels would need to be able to carry a complete battle group including infantry, tanks and helicopters and be able to simultaneously launch 12 helicopters carrying an air mobile combat team.
These will be among the largest warships the Australian navy has ever operated, possibly larger even than the navy's last aircraft carrier, the 15,700 tonne HMAS Melbourne.
"Defence has issued a request for information to two international shipbuilders - the Spanish company IZAR and the French conglomerate Armaris - concerning their respective new LHD designs," Senator Hill told a defence industry conference in Canberra on Tuesday.
The LHD - Landing Helicopter Deck - ships look like small aircraft carriers.
"This will help inform the decision on a preferred design."
Senator Hill said the new ships would be based on an overseas design but adaptation to suit Australian needs would require local knowledge and experience.
He said many of the ship's system components would be obtained from local industries to ensure through-life support.
Four Australian shipbuilding companies, ADI, Tenix, ASC and Forgacs have been asked to assist the government with its design evaluation, he said.
Under the DCP, HMAS Tobruk would be replaced when it reaches its service life in 2010 and the landing ships Manoora and Kanimbla in 2013-2016. The last to be retired would be replaced by a new sealift ship.
The DCP also envisages the replacement of the oil tanker HMAS Westralia.
Senator Hill said the ADF had decided the first two new landing vessels would need to be able to embark, sustain and transport a combined arms battle group with their equipment and supplies.
"The force needs to be able to train and rest while en-route to operations," he said.
"The ships will need the capability to carry and tactically deploy several hundred vehicles, including armour, plus trailers.
"They will also need the ability to airlift simultaneously an air mobile combat team from 12 helicopter launch spots between the two ships.
"They will each have hangar space for at least 12 helicopters and at least four conventional landing craft that are capable of carrying our new tanks. The ships must also be capable of providing the necessary command, control and communications to direct the battle group's amphibious landing and follow-on forces."
last thing I heard, the Spanish proposal was favoured because they were also offering 3 frigates for rock bottom price.
Anything new from down under on that score?