Draft:Surface Fleet Review
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Last edited by DeadlyRampage26 (talk | contribs) 3 days ago. (Update) |
| Enhanced Lethality Surface Combatant Review | |
|---|---|
 HMAS Canberra is the lead ship of the Royal Australian Navy | |
| Presented | 20 February 2024 |
| Signatories | Minister for Defence - Richard Marles Minister for Defence Industry - Pat Conroy |
| Subject | The Royal Australian Navy's surface fleet |
| Purpose | To determine the future of the RAN surface fleet |
The Enhanced Lethality Surface Combatant Review is an independent review into the surface fleet of the Royal Australian Navy, authorised as a result of the larger Defence Strategic Review. The review examines the future of the RAN, and attempts to reconcile what has been a period of 'neglection' of the Navy.[1] The review was announced to the public on 20 February 2024 by Minister for Defence and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, as well as Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy.[2]
Background[edit]
The Surface Fleet Review, as well as the Defence Strategic Review aim to counteract the increasing military power of a belligerent China.[3] This coupled with the major focus and prioritisation of the Australian Army over other branches has created a ground for focus on the neglected Royal Australian Navy.
Recommendations[edit]
[1] - Department of Defence Surface Fleet Review
| Program | Tier | Codename | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart-class destroyer | Tier 1 | N/A | Upgrade ship's Aegis, missile capability and radar | Agreed |
| Hunter-class frigate | Tier 1 | SEA5000 Phase 1 | Reduce number from 9 to 6 vessels | Agreed |
| Hunter-class frigate | Tier 1 | SEA5000 Phase 1 | Adjust Hunter-class to be tomahawk capable | Agreed in-principle |
| Hobart-class destroyer | Tier 1 | N/A | Commence planning for Hobart-class replacement to ensure safety for domestic ship industry | Agreed in-principle |
| General Purpose Frigate | Tier 2 | N/A | Acquire atleast 7, optimally 11 frigates, they will be built offshore than transferred to domestic building, use 4 frigates for the selection process | Agreed |
| General Purpose Frigate | Tier 2 | N/A | Upgrade Anzac-class to prevent capability gap whilst waiting for new GPFs | Not Agreed |
Government Outcome & Response[edit]
Enhanced Lethality Surface Fleet[edit]
Upgraded Hobart-class Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD)[edit]
The Government plans to upgrade the Tier 1 Hobart-class destroyers. The major upgrades include increasing the Aegis Combat System from Baseline 8 to 9, and possibly upgrading the radar system. The shipbuilders will also alter the missile cells so as to accommodate for more advanced missiles such as the Tomahawk, the Naval Strike Missile and the SM-6 anti-ballistic missile.
Hunter-class frigate[edit]
(SEA5000 Phase 1)
As a result of the review, the Government has agreed to make various concessions to the Hunter-class frigate program, the largest of which perhaps being the reduction of the total order of vessels, of which the Government has decided to procure 6 vessels instead of the original 9 that were planned.[6] The Government also followed the recommendation of the review to assess the feasibility of adapting the frigate to allow for the launching of the Tomahawk cruise missile.
General Purpose Frigate[edit]
In response to the ageing nature of the current Anzac-class frigates of the RAN and in accordance with the recommendations of the review, the Government has agreed to procure 11 'General Purpose Frigates'.[7] They are intended to form part of a 'tier 2' fleet, that is, be less expensive than their 'tier 1' counterparts (Hobart and Hunter classes) whilst still retaining adequate firepower, especially when it comes to Vertical launching system (VLS) cells. The GPF's will gradually replace the Anzac frigates as they come out of service, and the first batch are to be built in an accelerated manner overseas, and later transition to Henderson Naval Base for construction. The Government has outlined 4 shortlisted ships to be considered for the program, these are:
- German MEKO 200, same design used for Anzac-class frigates.
- Japanese Mogami 30FFM stealth frigate.
- South Korean Daegu FFX/Chungnam FFX frigate.
- Spanish ALFA3000 corvette, same design used prior to the review to advocate for a 'Tasman-class' corvette.
Large Optionally-Crewed Surface Vessel (LOSV)[edit]
The Government will, as a result of the review, acquire six 'Large Optionally-Crewed Surface Vessels'. The main role is these vessels will be to act as missile boats and will have 32 vertical-launch cells, but few close-in weapons.[8] The Government plans to collaborate with the US an their unmanned-vessel program, however it the intention for the Government to crew these vessels.
Minor War Vessels[edit]
Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel[edit]
(SEA1180 Phase 1)
The review emphasised the belief that the Arafura-class are under-gunned and do not possess significant offensive or defensive capability, and as such, the Government has agreed to reduce the amount of Arafura vessels from the planned 12, down to six vessels.[9] The Government has also agreed to investigate whether the vessels could be used in a specialised role, such as mine countermeasure.[2]
Cape-class patrol boats[edit]
The Government has agreed to work to use the Cape-class primarily as an Australian Border Force vessel, as well as manufacture capability on a number of the vessels that would prove useful to the Navy.[10] The Government has also agreed to put in place a framework that would allow for all Cape-class vessels to be under the overall responsibility of the Department of Defence, yet maintenance would be funded by the appropriate organisation (ABF or Navy).[11]
Summary[edit]
| Vessel | Type | Manufacturer | Quantity before | Quantity after | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart-class | Destroyer | ASC Pty Ltd | 3 (built) | 3 (built) | Upgrading capability, including Baseline 9 AEGIS |
| Hunter-class | Frigate | BAE Systems | 9 | 6 | Less vessels, better capability |
| General Purpose Frigate | Frigate | TBD | ~ | 11 | Plans to procure 11 frigates from overseas (then domestically built) |
| Large Optionally-Crewed Surface Vessel | Optionally-Crewed Vessel | Overseas Henderson |
~ | 6 | Plans to procure 6 vessels that are optionally-crewed, and have 36 VLS cells, the ADF plans to crew them |
| Arafura-class | Patrol boat | ASC Forgacs |
12 | 6 | Reduce number of vessels from 12 to 6, increase capability, explore options for specialised operations |
| Cape-class | Border vessel | Austal | 18 | 18 | Increase capability of vessels for Navy use, bring both ABF and Navy variants under Defence control
|
External Links[edit]
Surface Fleet Review - Department of Defence
References[edit]
- ^ "As an island nation, why do we accept such a weak navy?". Australian Financial Review. 2023-09-12. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ Lonergan, Thomas (2024-03-22). "Faster, cheaper ways to expand Australia's maritime firepower". The Strategist. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ Staff, U. S. Naval Institute (2024-02-21). "Report on Royal Australian Navy Surface Fleet Expansion". USNI News. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ "Plans revealed for Australia's future surface fleet - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ "Surface Fleet Review botches future frigate shortlist - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ "SA-built frigates sink from nine to six as costs blow out by $20 billion - InDaily". www.indaily.com.au. 2024-02-20. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ Dougherty</a>, <a href="/authors/robert-dougherty-momentummedia-com-au" title="View all articles from Robert Dougherty">Robert; Dougherty, Robert (2024-02-20). "Australia commits to modern and lethal general purpose frigates". www.defenceconnect.com.au. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ Trevithick, Joseph (2024-02-20). "Australia To Bet Big On Heavily Armed, Optionally Crewed Warships". The War Zone. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ "Luerssen responds to Arafura OPV cuts - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
- ^ "Austal launches 7th Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
- ^ Bajkowski, Julian (2024-02-20). "Navy fleet rejig goes for more ships, fewer sailors, better missiles". The Mandarin. Retrieved 2024-05-05.