She will face (and deal with) an arms race in Asia...Cartography :
Of the entire Australia land aera, only 1% were of water (rivers/lakes).
Coastlines: The Australian mainland has a total coastline length of 35,876 km (22,292 mi) with an additional 23,859 km (14,825 mi) of island coastlines. There are 758 estuaries around the country and claims an extensive EEZ zone of 8,148,250 square kilometres (3,146,060 sq mi).
Personnal Strenght :
Personnal: +/- 12 000 (and 1800+ reserve); Naval-Aviation: +/- 900.
12 Destroyers/Frigates (Fewers and Biggers !)
Up to 3 AAW Destroyers (3 Hobart)
(Hobart, Brisbane, Sydney). 7000 tons, 146 meters, AAW large frigate (derived from the Spanish F-100 design). Currently under building process, construction of first ship experienced some problems due to Australian shipyards skills shortcoming, a fourth ship in option now unlikely. All three expected to be commissioned by 2014/2018 (and replace directly in the Aussie Fleet the four ageing FFG of the Adelaide class), with probable +/- 30 years of service, to be retired around mid 2040’s decade.
Up to 8 Future FFX
Expected to replace the Anzac’s frigates during the 2020’s. A displacement of 7000 tons and cruise-missiles capable was hoped...Wait & See...
8 Anzacs
(Anzac, Arunta, Warramunga, Stuart, Parramatta, Ballarat, Toowoomba, Perth). 3600 tons, 118 meters multi-purpose frigate (modified German MEKO 200 design). Commissioned by 1996-2006, with probably +/- 30 years of service expected, to be retired by late 2020’s/early 2030’s.
4 Adelaide
(Sydney, Darwin, Melbourne, Newcastle). 4000 tons, 139 meters, ASW oriented frigate (of US O.H.Perry design). Commissioned by 1983/1993. These remaining four ships were expected to be replaced around 2014/2018 by 3 AAW frigates of the Hobart class.
Large Amphibious ships (a total renewal for the largest ships)
Up to 2 large LHD (2 Canberra)
(Canberra, Adelaide). 27 000 tons, 230 meters LHD of Spanish design. Currently on building process. To be commissioned by 2014/2015, with probable +/- 30 years of service, to be retired around mid 2040’s.
2 Kanimbla (large LST, to be retired soon)
(Kanimbla, Manoora), 8000+ tons, 159 meters LST (Ex-US ship built by late 1960’s/early 1970’s). Transferred by 1994, now ageing and unreliable ships. To be retired very soon by 2012/2014 and replaced by the 2 Canberra LHD
Up to 1 Ex-Largs Bay (LPD)
(Ex-Largs Bay) 16000 tons, 176 meters LPD (Ex-British HMS Largs-Bay, initially commissioned by 2006), likely to be transferred (65 £ million) by late 2011/early 2012. With probable +/- 25+ year of service, to be retired around 2030.
1 Tobruk (medium LST, to be retired soon)
(Tobruk), 3600/5800 tons, 126+ meters LST (derived from the 1960’s UK design). Commissioned by 1981. Now ageing ship, to be retired very soon and replaced early 2012 by the “second-hands” (but very young, larger and more capable ship) Ex-British HMS Largs-Bay.
Others Amphibious Crafts (LCT/LCM)
6 Balikpapan
(Balikpapan, Brunei, Labuan, Tarakan, Wewak, Betano), 300/500 tons, 44 meters LCT design. Commissioned by 1973/1974 4 LCVP (T-4/7), 5+ tons, 13+ meters, carried on Tobruk LST and Success AOE. Built by 1993.
6 LCM
Originaly intended to replace ageing LCM 8, but this design suffered from major problems (Fragility, crafts not reached fundamental requirement). Likely to be scrapped without reach frontline service
14 LCM (Mk-8)
34 tons, 22 meters, built by 1967. Many already retired Mineweespers and Patrol-Ships.
+/- 26 OPV, IPV, MCM (Biggers and Fewer....)
Up to 20 Ocean Patrols Vessles (Project SEA 1180) ?
Up to twenty OPV of +/- 2000 tons expected (hoped...) around 2018-2030 to replace 26 ships of the Huon MCM (6), Armidale MPV (14), Leeuwin SV (2), Paluma SV (4) class
6 Mineweespers
6 Huon (Huon, Hawkesbury, Norman, Gascoyne, Diamantina,Yarra). 700+ tons, 52 meters (a design variant from the Italian Gaeta MCM design). Commissioned by 1999/2003, likely to be retired around 2030.
2 Auxiliary Mineweespers/tugs
(Bandicoot, Wallaroo), 500+ tons, 29 meters, Ex-civilian ships, transferred by 1990 1 Bermagui (Bermagui), 110 tons, 19+ meters, Ex-fishing boat transferred by 1994.
1 Koraaga
(Koraaga), 120 tons, 21+ meters, Ex-Tuna boat transferred by 1989
3 mine-coutermesures drones
(MSD 02/04)
14 Armidale (Mid-shore patrol vessels)
(Armidale, Larrakia, Bathurst, Albany, Pirie, Maitland, Ararat, Broome, Bundaberg, Wollongong, Childers, Launceston, Maryborough, Gleneg). 270 tons, 56 meters IPV design. Commissioned by 2005/2008, with probable +/- 20 years of service expected.
2 Leeuwin (Mid-shore Patrols Vessels)
(Leeuwin, Melville), 2500 tons, 71 meters. Commissioned by 2000.
4 Paluma (Mid-shore Patrols Vessels)
(Paluma, Mermaid, Shepparton, Benalla), 300+ tons, 36 meters. Commissioned by 1989/1990.
6 Submarines (toward up to 12 ?, a unrealistic future requirement !!!)
Up to 12 newer Subs ?
(project SEA 100), maybe 2500/3000+ tons SSK design, intended to replace the Collins class by 2025+, but the current figure expected (12 ships) seems too unrealistic (.....up to 8 max)...WAIT & SEE
6 Collins
(Collins, Farncomb, Waller, Dechaineux, Sheean, Rankin), 3000 tons, 77 meters SSK of Swedish design (Type 471). Well effective subs but this class have been subject of numbers of incidents/technical problems from the beginning. Commissioned by 1996/2003, with probable +/- 30 years of life, to be retired by late 2020’s.
2 Fleet Oilers
1 Sirius
(Sirius), 25 000 tons, 191 meters, ex-civilian ship converted. Commissioned by 2006.
1 Succes
(Succes), 17 000 tons, 157 meters (design derived from French “Durance” AOE). Commissioned by 1986
+/- 17 Patrol Boats
8 Roebuck Bay patrol boats
(Roebuck Bay, Holdfast Bay, Botany Bay, Hervey Bay, Corio Bay, Storm Bay, Dame Roma Mitchell, Arnhem Bay), 28 tons, 38 meters, built by 1998/2000
1 Southerly 65
(Malu Baizam), 85 tons, 19+ meters, built 2003.
8 Fantome class
(SMB-1105/1012), 7+ tons, 10+ meters, built by 1992/1993.
5 Auxiliary Ships
1 Antartic survey ship
(Wyatt Earp), 5+ tons, 9+ meters.
1 Training ship (sail)
1 Young Endeavour 200 tons, 44 meters, built by 1987
2 Large Tenders
(Seahorse Spirit, Seahorse Standard), 3900+ tons, 72+ meters, built by 1980/1981
1 Navigational training ship
Seahorse Horizon, 390+ tons, 42 meters, transferred by 1990
Dozens of Harbors Small Crafts
+/- Twenty 30/60 tons lighters
18+ meters
3 Southerly 65 class
(Seal, Shark, Dugong), 85 tons, 20 meters, built by 1993/1999.
Few concrete ammunition lighters.
10 Steber 43
(NGPWB-01/10), 13+ tons, 13+ meters, built by 1998
4 Noosacat 930
(0901/0904), 9+ meters, built by 1994
4 Shark Cat 800
8+ meters, built during 1980’s
12 Naval Work Boats
12+ tons, 12+ meters, built by 1979/1981
A half-dozens of radio-controlled surface target
4 Waters/fuel lighters
(Wallaby, Wombat, Warrigal, Wyulda), 260 tons, 39 meters, built by 1983/1984
Maybe few torpedo-recovery crafts
(Tuna, Trevally, Tailor), 93 tons, 26+ meters, built by 1970/1971
Some very small training yachts and dinghies ?
1 ASI-315 class navigation craft
(Seahorse Mercator), 165 tons, 31 meters, built 1998
4 Tugs
1 Tammar
260 tons, 27 meters, built 1984
2 Coastal
(Seahorse Quenda, Seahorse Chuditch), 23 meters, built 2003
1 Quokka
110 tons,18+ meters, built 1983
(2nd) Comandos (Naval Troops):
12 LARC-V Amphibious vehicles.
Up to 27 RHIB of the 7,2 meters type (N° 0701/0727).
Naval Aviation:
Helicopters:
- 15 S-70B Seahawk
- 4 Sea-King Mk4
- Up to 6 MRH-90
- 6 AS-350 Ecureuil
- 3 A-109 Augusta
The Australian navy, like many Western navies, undergoes the (in)famous rule "fewer and bigger. " But the arms race in Asia pushes Australia toward some naval ambitions (up to 12 future submarines, a fourth AAW DDG...). But many problems:
- limited budgets
- problems in Australian shipyards
- problem of recruitment and reputation in the RAN...
- limited budgets
- problems in Australian shipyards
- problem of recruitment and reputation in the RAN...
Most likely will reduce and slow down these ambitions...
Next fleet review/editorial: Future of the Spanish Navy.
As usual, It may be that in my opinion, I forgot programs ? (or made few mistakes ?, especially for the auxiliary and smaller ships), then SAID IT ! Feel free to comment and give your opinion !
