Mark_Evans
Active Member
I was thinking along the lines of replacing mortars, better range and mobile. Army Reserve?
Personally I would rather a turreted 120mm mortar on Boxer.
Army Reserve, I would equip with MRLS.
Could be as complex as Himars or as simple as a BM 21 knockoff or anywhere in between.
Wouldn't a large mortar be more suitable for Pacific operations? 120mm on a Bushmaster seems doable.
The West Australian(paywalled)
thewest.com.au
-‘Austal and NSSG were in Vlissingen negotiating to build the first two Landing Craft Heavy in the Netherlands as they don’t have faith that Austal can manufacture them soon,”
-Henderson- No available facility big enough to assemble them, original plan was to build it on the hard stand outside on the CUF but WA government said Oil and Gas projects come first.
Defence officials discuss rug-pull on WA’s warship operation
Defence officials have secretly discussed constructing some Army vessels in Europe rather than at Western Australia’s Henderson shipyard.
thewest.com.au
-‘Austal and NSSG were in Vlissingen negotiating to build the first two Landing Craft Heavy in the Netherlands as they don’t have faith that Austal can manufacture them soon,”
-Henderson- No available facility big enough to assemble them, original plan was to build it on the hard stand outside on the CUF but WA government said Oil and Gas projects come first.
Are we wedded to a west coast solution?The West Australian(paywalled)
Defence officials discuss rug-pull on WA’s warship operation
Defence officials have secretly discussed constructing some Army vessels in Europe rather than at Western Australia’s Henderson shipyard.
-‘Austal and NSSG were in Vlissingen negotiating to build the first two Landing Craft Heavy in the Netherlands as they don’t have faith that Austal can manufacture them soon,”
-Henderson- No available facility big enough to assemble them, original plan was to build it on the hard stand outside on the CUF but WA government said Oil and Gas projects come first.
Cheers S
Hm, seems Austal’s problem with working with others is rearing its head yet again. Makes you wonder about the likely chances of ever seeing a Mogami built by them, even setting aside the Hanwa issue..
Well, in the West Civmec has the capability of course. The history of their relationship with Austal is not good though.
Birdon in Port Macquarie is currently building Young Endeavour I. She’s 53 metres long, but under a thousand tons I believe. However, they may have the capacity to be able to build larger than that. That would be somewhat ironic wouldn’t it?
Incat in Tassie has never built anything like it but might be a possibility. Given they are direct competitors with Austal in the fast ferry market I doubt they would be interested however.
Osborne would have the capability but is probably fully committed. ASC does, or did, have some kind of arrangement with Austal but whether it would be of any relevance might be a moot point.
There are a couple of smallish shipyards in FNQ but even in its heyday the LCH would have been beyond NQEA I think; about the biggest they built were the hydros at around 2100 tons and 70 odd metres. Again, though, it could be a possibility; and Austal do have a presence in Cairns, although it is only for maintenance so far as I know.
That’s about it.
Well, in the West Civmec has the capability of course. The history of their relationship with Austal is not good though.
Birdon in Port Macquarie is currently building Young Endeavour I. She’s 53 metres long, but under a thousand tons I believe. However, they may have the capacity to be able to build larger than that. That would be somewhat ironic wouldn’t it?
Incat in Tassie has never built anything like it but might be a possibility. Given they are direct competitors with Austal in the fast ferry market I doubt they would be interested however.
Osborne would have the capability but is probably fully committed. ASC does, or did, have some kind of arrangement with Austal but whether it would be of any relevance might be a moot point.
There are a couple of smallish shipyards in FNQ but even in its heyday the LCH would have been beyond NQEA I think; about the biggest they built were the hydros at around 2100 tons and 70 odd metres. Again, though, it could be a possibility; and Austal do have a presence in Cairns, although it is only for maintenance so far as I know.
That’s about it.
It's an interesting leak to the media. Also interesting that Austal was included in the delegation that went to the Netherlands with NSSG for this discussion.
I am suprised that the article made no mention of Civmec, which is a bit like the elephant in the room. In fact the article went further to say there is no available facility (available being the key adjective here). That Austal would propose building on the open hard stand rather than the Civmec hall says a lot.
I get the impression this is again all posturing. Given the confidential information, I can only assume this was a deliberate leak (else someone is going to loose their job) and it came from NSSG.
Then the question is more; what was the purpose of the leak. I'm not sure the actual target was Austal.
I am suprised that the article made no mention of Civmec, which is a bit like the elephant in the room. In fact the article went further to say there is no available facility (available being the key adjective here). That Austal would propose building on the open hard stand rather than the Civmec hall says a lot.
I get the impression this is again all posturing. Given the confidential information, I can only assume this was a deliberate leak (else someone is going to loose their job) and it came from NSSG.
Then the question is more; what was the purpose of the leak. I'm not sure the actual target was Austal.
I think Civmec aren’t mentioned because of all the new projects they have. The rare earth project for eg probably is a priority for government.
Quite possibly; but their erection hall was designed to be able to handle 2 AWD sized ships at the same time. While it could be used for other purposes of course, the intent was to do shipbuilding - and there would not be too many non maritime activities that would require anything that big.
Civmec's work portfolio is developing, but a lot of it is through their other Australian facilities or physically onsite with the client, rather than the Henderson workshop). The Eneabba project for instance is predominantly the civil works (lots of excavation and concreting) plus some tanks (which at most will be fabricated in sections in Henderson and welded together onsite). The Henderson workshop is relatively lightly loaded.
If the issue is that Civmec can't spare the space in their sheds for the LCH project (I don't think it is), then there are bigger concerns for the Mogami build. There can't be a proposal to build them out in the open.
A not uncommon negotiating tactic is to withdraw to force a better hand. I'm wondering if a bit of that is going on. Civmec know they are central to the overall Henderson defence precinct plan and their refusal to participate puts a decent spanner in the works for both the shipbuilding and the submarine complex.
A $12B pot brings out all kind of behaviours as benefactors look to maximise their share.
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It would be a good opportunity to expand technical and trade training in SA for AUKUS.
ASA could second people to support the build.
It will be busy though with the Hobart upgrade alongside the Hunter build, but doable.
A good opportunity to train and upskill welders, electricians, pipe fitters and riggers. Great for junior engineers and PMS as well.
This link should get around the pay wall.The West Australian(paywalled)
Defence officials discuss rug-pull on WA’s warship operation
Defence officials have secretly discussed constructing some Army vessels in Europe rather than at Western Australia’s Henderson shipyard.
-‘Austal and NSSG were in Vlissingen negotiating to build the first two Landing Craft Heavy in the Netherlands as they don’t have faith that Austal can manufacture them soon,”
-Henderson- No available facility big enough to assemble them, original plan was to build it on the hard stand outside on the CUF but WA government said Oil and Gas projects come first.
It's the WA mafia bleating again about the potential loss of work/Henderson hasn't been upgraded yet garbage. The West Australian being the sensationalist tabloid they are will happily print anything that could be perceived as anti-WA.
I think it is a little more than that. It's infighting within the WA Mafia for who gets to be the cappo di tutti capi.
No room at these Henderson facilities
Austal > ECapes + LCM on order
Echomarine > Catamaran + 5 Ferries on order
Civmec > OPVs + various other projects
Other facilities
-The yet to be built shed next to Echomarine.
-Ex Silveryachts shed, too small currently.
(Plan looked to be)
-CUF, blocks or units transported from Henderson or Hope Valley Rd facility and assembled partially undercover or out in the open.
2 built in the Netherlands would give Austal sometime to get a shed up and build the workforce.
Austal > ECapes + LCM on order
Echomarine > Catamaran + 5 Ferries on order
Civmec > OPVs + various other projects
Other facilities
-The yet to be built shed next to Echomarine.
-Ex Silveryachts shed, too small currently.
(Plan looked to be)
-CUF, blocks or units transported from Henderson or Hope Valley Rd facility and assembled partially undercover or out in the open.
2 built in the Netherlands would give Austal sometime to get a shed up and build the workforce.
LAND 8710 Littoral Manoeuvre Program.
www.defenceconnect.com.au
Just 15?
Birdon secures $125 million Army contract to design, build Amphibious Vehicles Logistics
Australian-owned maritime engineering company Birdon has signed a $125 million contract to design and build one prototype and 15 Amphibious Vehicles – Logistics for the Australian Army.
www.defenceconnect.com.au
Just 15?
I wonder if Defence has moved more generally to a more ‘Tranche’ style acquisition model, rather than bulk fleet ordering?LAND 8710 Littoral Manoeuvre Program.
Birdon secures $125 million Army contract to design, build Amphibious Vehicles Logistics
Australian-owned maritime engineering company Birdon has signed a $125 million contract to design and build one prototype and 15 Amphibious Vehicles – Logistics for the Australian Army.
Just 15?
Perhaps this might go some way to mitigating larger costs to budget windows, whilst still feeding off an active production line for future ordering?
I guess the flip side is industry confidence in actually being awarded those ongoing contracts to incentivise investments.
Takao
The Bunker Group
We currently have 15 LARC-V, and it makes for a neat Sqn.LAND 8710 Littoral Manoeuvre Program.
Birdon secures $125 million Army contract to design, build Amphibious Vehicles Logistics
Australian-owned maritime engineering company Birdon has signed a $125 million contract to design and build one prototype and 15 Amphibious Vehicles – Logistics for the Australian Army.
Just 15?
I know we could always have more of everything, but in this case you'd have to give up something. It's hard enough growing crews for the landing craft fleet; what do we give up for more AV-L?