NZDF/ USS Wasp exercise

[Big-E]

After hearing the state of the NZDF I was wondering if they could defeat 1 MEU off of a Wasp class LHD. Let's say hypothetically the MEU commander went nuts and faked tasking orders to invade South Island, would the NZDF be able to defend South Island and destroy said MEU? Lets say her air arm contained:

Possible US MEU


ACE of MEU:
10 AV-8B Harrier attack planes with Sea-Eagle capabilty against the ANZACs
Hueys sacrificed for extra Harriers
4 AH-1W Super Cobra attack helos
12 CH-46 Sea Knight helos troop transort
9 CH-53 Sea Stallion helos heavy lift transport


GCE of MEU including the Batallion Landing Team (BLT) of:
2 Artillery batteries configured with 12 155mm howitzers and support trucks.
1 LAR platoon with 16 LAVs
Sacrificed AAV platoon for extra tank and artillery platoon.
1 TOW platoon with 8 TOW anti-armour missile launchers
2 Tank platoons configured with 8 M1A1 Abrams
3 Rifle Companies
In addition 2 LCACs sacrificed for additional 30 AAVs in water well/1 LCAC left
2 AAV platoons with 30 AAVs carrying 3-4 additional Rifle companies.

CSSE of MEU support elements consisting of:
Headquarters Platoon
Communications Platoon
Six service support platoons along with two reserve platoons
Engineer Support Platoon
Maintenance Support Platoon
Motor Transport Platoon
Landing Support Platoon
Supply Platoon
Medical Platoon
All elements have 6 months training as a self-sustaining Marine Air-Ground Task Force and have Special ops certification.


South Island Defenses include:
NZ Army has Territorial forces including- Burnham with 2nd Canterbury- Nelson Marlborough and West Coast Battallion Group along with the 4th Otago and Southland Battalion Group in Dunedin and of course the 2/1st light infantry battalion with HQ3 command structure.

The Canterbury, and Nelson-Marlborough and West Coast Regiment have the:
32nd Artillery Battery observation group along with
5 infantry companies
1 engineer 1 signals and 1 logistics company

4th Otago and Southland Battalion contains:
3 infantry companies
1 medical company and 1 logistics platoon

The real kicker is the defensive power of the 2/1st Battalion RNZIR light infantry along with the command structure of HQ3 Land Force Group. Can someone tell me what equipment and forces are in the 2/1st Battalion?

For this exercise we can include the full power of the NZAF. They are fighting AV-8Bs with AIM-9s against P-3K Orions.

The Navy is engaging initial salvos of Sea Eagles and sea mavericks.

_________________________________________________________________

With these forces would the MEU have a chance to cripple the NZDF and destroy South Islands standing defenders not counting any reinforcements or attempt to retake the island?

 

[Whiskyjack]

After hearing the state of the NZDF I was wondering if they could defeat 1 MEU off of a Wasp class LHD. Let's say hypothetically the MEU commander went nuts and faked tasking orders to invade South Island, would the NZDF be able to defend South Island and destroy said MEU? Lets say her air arm contained:

Possible US MEU


ACE of MEU:
10 AV-8B Harrier attack planes with Sea-Eagle capabilty against the ANZACs
Hueys sacrificed for extra Harriers
4 AH-1W Super Cobra attack helos
12 CH-46 Sea Knight helos troop transort
9 CH-53 Sea Stallion helos heavy lift transport


GCE of MEU including the Batallion Landing Team (BLT) of:
2 Artillery batteries configured with 12 155mm howitzers and support trucks.
1 LAR platoon with 16 LAVs
Sacrificed AAV platoon for extra tank and artillery platoon.
1 TOW platoon with 8 TOW anti-armour missile launchers
2 Tank platoons configured with 8 M1A1 Abrams
3 Rifle Companies
In addition 2 LCACs sacrificed for additional 30 AAVs in water well/1 LCAC left
2 AAV platoons with 30 AAVs carrying 3-4 additional Rifle companies.

CSSE of MEU support elements consisting of:
Headquarters Platoon
Communications Platoon
Six service support platoons along with two reserve platoons
Engineer Support Platoon
Maintenance Support Platoon
Motor Transport Platoon
Landing Support Platoon
Supply Platoon
Medical Platoon
All elements have 6 months training as a self-sustaining Marine Air-Ground Task Force and have Special ops certification.


South Island Defenses include:
NZ Army has Territorial forces including- Burnham with 2nd Canterbury- Nelson Marlborough and West Coast Battallion Group along with the 4th Otago and Southland Battalion Group in Dunedin and of course the 2/1st light infantry battalion with HQ3 command structure.

The Canterbury, and Nelson-Marlborough and West Coast Regiment have the:
32nd Artillery Battery observation group along with
5 infantry companies
1 engineer 1 signals and 1 logistics company

4th Otago and Southland Battalion contains:
3 infantry companies
1 medical company and 1 logistics platoon

The real kicker is the defensive power of the 2/1st Battalion RNZIR light infantry along with the command structure of HQ3 Land Force Group. Can someone tell me what equipment and forces are in the 2/1st Battalion?

For this exercise we can include the full power of the NZAF. They are fighting AV-8Bs with AIM-9s against P-3K Orions.

The Navy is engaging initial salvos of Sea Eagles and sea mavericks.

_________________________________________________________________

With these forces would the MEU have a chance to cripple the NZDF and destroy South Islands standing defenders not counting any reinforcements or attempt to retake the island?

Umm, assuming no out side help, I'll ask one question. How much warning?

Initial comment:

Assuming WASP has no supply line, then it would own the situation initially, but once his logistics ran out I think the NZDF would take it back in the long term.

There is no way the NZDF could withstand the fire power the WASP has on offer. All the Harriers have to do is stay at 20,000ft to deliver precision munitions and nothing the NZDF has could touch it.

But give me some idea of warning the NZDF would have an would love to discuss further.

Also does the WASP have an escort, and what other ships does it have, if any?

 

[Big-E]

Umm, assuming no out side help, I'll ask one question. How much warning?

Initial comment:

Assuming WASP has no supply line, then it would own the situation initially, but once his logistics ran out I think the NZDF would take it back in the long term.

There is no way the NZDF could withstand the fire power the WASP has on offer. All the Harriers have to do is stay at 20,000ft to deliver precision munitions and nothing the NZDF has could touch it.

But give me some idea of warning the NZDF would have an would love to discuss further.

Also does the WASP have an escort, and what other ships does it have, if any?

This exercise has no reinforcements, no way an MEU could hold half of NZ for any length of time. : Since NZDF needs time to prepare lets go ahead and give them 24hrs warning with the misterous sinking of the HMNZS TE KAHA with the only ship in the area as a Wasp class LHD, NZ checks with the state department and finds the MEU commander has gone nuts and he has cut all radio communications. No escort for this one, just the Harriers capability to engage surface ships with Sea Eagles made by the pommys The LHD is being tracked by P-3s heading towards HQ3 at Burnham. What can she get ready?

P.S. Anyone know what 2/1st Battalion's size and equipment?

 

[Whiskyjack]

This exercise has no reinforcements, no way an MEU could hold half of NZ for any length of time. : Since NZDF needs time to prepare lets go ahead and give them 24hrs warning with the misterous sinking of the HMNZS TE KAHA with the only ship in the area as a Wasp class LHD, NZ checks with the state department and finds the MEU commander has gone nuts and he has cut all radio communications. No escort for this one, just the Harriers capability to engage surface ships with Sea Eagles made by the pommys The LHD is being tracked by P-3s heading towards HQ3 at Burnham. What can she get ready?

P.S. Anyone know what 2/1st Battalion's size and equipment?

Okay then, 2/1 is pure infantry (no LAVs that I am aware of) and as of the East Timor situation has probably 300-350 men (may be less!!). I don’t think artillery is based there. In fact I would think the entire regular NZDF presence would be well under 1500 in the South Island.

If I was the NZDF I would recall territorial’s and pull out of the SI (or the part about to be invaded) until I could reorganise my forces. Send in SAS to organise resistance and provide intel.

Apart from that there is no way I can see the NZDF defending against an MEU. The MEU will have a lack of AEW, but should be able to keep P3s away.

Very bleak picture, but then unless we are talking a crazy MEU commander there is really no realistic threat, in the scenario you are suggesting.

The only good news would be the arms build up that would result!

Do you think we could keep the WASP and equipment at the end....I'm sure the USN and USMC along with the US people would be a touch embarrassed

 

[Lucasnz]

Umm, assuming no out side help, I'll ask one question. How much warning?

Initial comment:

Assuming WASP has no supply line, then it would own the situation initially, but once his logistics ran out I think the NZDF would take it back in the long term.

There is no way the NZDF could withstand the fire power the WASP has on offer. All the Harriers have to do is stay at 20,000ft to deliver precision munitions and nothing the NZDF has could touch it.

But give me some idea of warning the NZDF would have an would love to discuss further.

Also does the WASP have an escort, and what other ships does it have, if any?

Assumming miminal warning time - Say 6 hours New Zealand's ability to hold its own is dependent on a couple of issues

• The location of the ANZAC Frigates - If both frigates are in NZ, they will first need to provide escort and air defence across the Strait for army reinforcements after making a high speed transit say from Auckland. These would bring across. From there South into the Combat zone to provide additional air defence and ASuw and ASW operations. Moving the Frigates into position would also force the the MEU Harriers into an anti shipping role providing some relief for the Land Forces. If the frigates are not in NZ then the ability to reinforce from the North Island, and split the opposing combat forces focus will be seriously hindered. North Island Infantry Reserves would be needed to protect critical infrastructure in the North Island from Special Forces seeking to hinder any such reinforcment.
  1 RNZIR and LAV's (min 48 Hours to combat zone), using Inter Island Ferry's
• The ability of the C-130's to transport critical elements to either Woodburn Air Base (To minimise exposure to Air Attack) - Key Elements to transport Mistral Air Defence, Artillery units and Heavy Weapons Co (Javelin etc) (say min 48 hours for all elements to arrive in threater).

Within the combat zone.
2/1 RNZIR will be equipped with about 8 Javelin and an unknown number Garl Gustav 84mm, .50cal MG and 81mm mortars. In addition QA Regiment will have a number of LAV's for movement and mobility and asssociated infantry at company level.

I would use QA in the strike role - seeking to destory the Command, Control logsitical capability and artillery. 2/1 RNZIR would perform traditional light infantry role of holding ground, while the viable elements of 4th Battalion and upper North Island Units would manervoure to provide limited flanking.

 

[Whiskyjack]

Assumming miminal warning time - Say 6 hours New Zealand's ability to hold its own is dependent on a couple of issues

• The location of the ANZAC Frigates - If both frigates are in NZ, they will first need to provide escort and air defence across the Strait for army reinforcements after making a high speed transit say from Auckland. These would bring across. From there South into the Combat zone to provide additional air defence and ASuw and ASW operations. Moving the Frigates into position would also force the the MEU Harriers into an anti shipping role providing some relief for the Land Forces. If the frigates are not in NZ then the ability to reinforce from the North Island, and split the opposing combat forces focus will be seriously hindered. North Island Infantry Reserves would be needed to protect critical infrastructure in the North Island from Special Forces seeking to hinder any such reinforcment.
  1 RNZIR and LAV's (min 48 Hours to combat zone), using Inter Island Ferry's
• The ability of the C-130's to transport critical elements to either Woodburn Air Base (To minimise exposure to Air Attack) - Key Elements to transport Mistral Air Defence, Artillery units and Heavy Weapons Co (Javelin etc) (say min 48 hours for all elements to arrive in threater).

Within the combat zone.
2/1 RNZIR will be equipped with about 8 Javelin and an unknown number Garl Gustav 84mm, .50cal MG and 81mm mortars. In addition QA Regiment will have a number of LAV's for movement and mobility and asssociated infantry at company level.

I would use QA in the strike role - seeking to destory the Command, Control logsitical capability and artillery. 2/1 RNZIR would perform traditional light infantry role of holding ground, while the viable elements of 4th Battalion and upper North Island Units would manervoure to provide limited flanking.

Risky, but then again, nothing to lose.

The biggest force multiplier are the Harriers.


Biggest issues NZDF has (as of today)

• Lot of infantry overseas
• Not sure how the logistics would hold up.
• Warstocks may actually be less than the WASP carries!
• C-130s available (one in upgrade, one in Darwin, one in long term main) two available?

Also if they are attacking the SI, why not land in the north (of the SI) and split the two forces. 2/1 has limited mobility and 1NZIR will be stuck on the wrong side of the Cook Straight.

 

[Lucasnz]

Risky, but then again, nothing to lose.

The biggest force multiplier are the Harriers.


Biggest issues NZDF has (as of today)

• Lot of infantry overseas
• Not sure how the logistics would hold up.
• Warstocks may actually be less than the WASP carries!
• C-130s available (one in upgrade, one in Darwin, one in long term main) two available?

Also if they are attacking the SI, why not land in the north (of the SI) and split the two forces. 2/1 has limited mobility and 1NZIR will be stuck on the wrong side of the Cook Straight.

Landing in the upper South Island would be better, but the landing spots there are more restricted. Also it depends on the objective of any landing. If it was a precusor to something more than a narrow strip of landing such as the tip of the North Island would be better, but would allow the NZDF to concentrate resources. Frankly if I was going to conduct further operations beyond the MEU above I'd be looking to take the Chatham Islands first for use as a forward Operating and logistical base.

 

[Whiskyjack]

Landing in the upper South Island would be better, but the landing spots there are more restricted. Also it depends on the objective of any landing. If it was a precusor to something more than a narrow strip of landing such as the tip of the North Island would be better, but would allow the NZDF to concentrate resources. Frankly if I was going to conduct further operations beyond the MEU above I'd be looking to take the Chatham Islands first for use as a forward Operating and logistical base.

What about a raid in force to demolish port facilities, followed by a concerted effort to strike the Ro-Ro ferries.

With the goal of cutting of NZDF logistics lines into the SI, to allow them to deal with 2/1, or place a strike force to attack any incoming NZDF forces. An all out strike on the ANZACs should also be considered as that is the only real air defence.

 

[Aussie Digger]

You can assume no outside help for this scenario, but I can't see Australia letting NZ get invaded and attacked by anyone, without trying to help.

US EITHER for that matter. IF the "commander went nuts" he'd be relieved. It woud take the entire ships complement including the Commander, plus the entire MEU to go "nuts" for this scenario to occur.

How would the MEU go against NZ, supported by a RAAF F/A-18/F-11 strike force?

 

[Big-E]

What about a raid in force to demolish port facilities, followed by a concerted effort to strike the Ro-Ro ferries.

With the goal of cutting of NZDF logistics lines into the SI, to allow them to deal with 2/1, or place a strike force to attack any incoming NZDF forces. An all out strike on the ANZACs should also be considered as that is the only real air defence.

Could the Harriers make attacks on the ferries and port facilities if both ANZACs are in the Cook straights? Did they get the 32 cell ESSM upgrade like the Aussie counterparts or are they still using the dated 8 cell Sea Sparrow?

What kind of diversions could the NZDF provide to draw Harriers away from CAS for the amphib landing? Would that be enough to defeat ground elements of the MEU?

Since SI has only infantry and no artillery they must have some of the 1st Battalion with her NZLAVs and at least 1-2 105mm artillery batteries. Lets say by some miracle they get 500 men of the 1st and 25 NZLAVs and 2 batteries of 12 105mm L118 light guns across the straight before the attack takes place. They would only be facing 2 (12)155mm batteries with 8 M1A1s 16 LAVs and 30 AAVs carrying 4 rifle companies with 3 rifle companies on foot, total of 1,600 trained US marines. 4 Cobra attack choppers and 2 Harriers in support of the amphib with 8 Harriers tasked to stopping Cook Straight crossings.

What can the NZDF come up with as far as transport choppers and heavy lift air assets with C-130s and the like?

Do they have any attack choppers, anything that can mount machine guns, anything flying that can act as a bomb truck?

Lets say a SEAL team is on board, what kind of targets would you have them hit to cripple the NZDF?

 

[Big-E]

You can assume no outside help for this scenario, but I can't see Australia letting NZ get invaded and attacked by anyone, without trying to help.

US EITHER for that matter. IF the "commander went nuts" he'd be relieved. It woud take the entire ships complement including the Commander, plus the entire MEU to go "nuts" for this scenario to occur.

How would the MEU go against NZ, supported by a RAAF F/A-18/F-11 strike force?

KillJoy! : Lets say the 1st Marine Division supported by Enterprise CSG attacking Sydney if you want to have some fun with it LOL!:drunk1

 

[Aussie Digger]

KillJoy! : Lets say the 1st Marine Division supported by Enterprise CSG attacking Sydney if you want to have some fun with it LOL!:drunk1

Even Enterprise's airgroup couldn't stop our F-111 maritime strikers off Shoalwater bay during Ex - Tandem Thrust in 2003...

We didn't even use Collins then AFAIK either...

I reckon Australia could (just) handle a single USN carrier group on it's own, off the coast of Australia (provided things didn't go nuclear if US didn't have things go it's own way...)

Any more than that and we'd be in trouble. Once the warstock replenishment program is up and running (2006/7 year of decision) and our already ordered JDAM/JASSM/Harpoon II munitions are delivered, we'll be pretty self sufficient in strike ops for a while...

 

[Padman]

What SI targets would you have the Harriers and/or SEALS attack? For instance if going for Burnham one would assume that they would target Harewood, but would risk casualties among US personnel at the Deep Freeze HQ. Harewood would be a target due to reinforcement possibilities for NZ and as possible FOL for Harriers/helos.

Dunedin Airport would also require neutralising as could provide landing ground for reinforcements arriving by air from NI, Dunedin can take 757/767. What is range of unrefeulled Harrier? Could 757/767 fly outside range by doglegging over Tasman?

Also remember SI is a large area to secure, larger than England, with some real great possibilities for geurilla action and alot of people who really know how to handle .303. If NZ sacrificed area from Cheviot down to Timaru for a while we could hold out for reinforcements for a while.

 

[Big-E]

What SI targets would you have the Harriers and/or SEALS attack? For instance if going for Burnham one would assume that they would target Harewood, but would risk casualties among US personnel at the Deep Freeze HQ. Harewood would be a target due to reinforcement possibilities for NZ and as possible FOL for Harriers/helos.

Dunedin Airport would also require neutralising as could provide landing ground for reinforcements arriving by air from NI, Dunedin can take 757/767. What is range of unrefeulled Harrier? Could 757/767 fly outside range by doglegging over Tasman?

Also remember SI is a large area to secure, larger than England, with some real great possibilities for geurilla action and alot of people who really know how to handle .303. If NZ sacrificed area from Cheviot down to Timaru for a while we could hold out for reinforcements for a while.

I was wondering if the SEAL teams and Harriers would have targets in NI to stop reinforcement as well as your list of SI. I don't doubt the problems guerilla forces in SI could give a MEU but the object of this exercise is to destroy the standing NZDF on SI and whatever they can bring to it in a timely fashion.

Whats special about the terrain from Cheviot to Timaru for a hold out, do you have a topographical map of this area for better understanding?

 

[Markus40]

I can give you a straight answer Mr E and that is a catagorical YES. You can Park the USS Wasp in Pegasus Bay and take the South Island at will, we dont have the defenses or the "teeth" to fight back or do anything about it.

After hearing the state of the NZDF I was wondering if they could defeat 1 MEU off of a Wasp class LHD. Let's say hypothetically the MEU commander went nuts and faked tasking orders to invade South Island, would the NZDF be able to defend South Island and destroy said MEU? Lets say her air arm contained:

Possible US MEU


ACE of MEU:
10 AV-8B Harrier attack planes with Sea-Eagle capabilty against the ANZACs
Hueys sacrificed for extra Harriers
4 AH-1W Super Cobra attack helos
12 CH-46 Sea Knight helos troop transort
9 CH-53 Sea Stallion helos heavy lift transport


GCE of MEU including the Batallion Landing Team (BLT) of:
2 Artillery batteries configured with 12 155mm howitzers and support trucks.
1 LAR platoon with 16 LAVs
Sacrificed AAV platoon for extra tank and artillery platoon.
1 TOW platoon with 8 TOW anti-armour missile launchers
2 Tank platoons configured with 8 M1A1 Abrams
3 Rifle Companies
In addition 2 LCACs sacrificed for additional 30 AAVs in water well/1 LCAC left
2 AAV platoons with 30 AAVs carrying 3-4 additional Rifle companies.

CSSE of MEU support elements consisting of:
Headquarters Platoon
Communications Platoon
Six service support platoons along with two reserve platoons
Engineer Support Platoon
Maintenance Support Platoon
Motor Transport Platoon
Landing Support Platoon
Supply Platoon
Medical Platoon
All elements have 6 months training as a self-sustaining Marine Air-Ground Task Force and have Special ops certification.


South Island Defenses include:
NZ Army has Territorial forces including- Burnham with 2nd Canterbury- Nelson Marlborough and West Coast Battallion Group along with the 4th Otago and Southland Battalion Group in Dunedin and of course the 2/1st light infantry battalion with HQ3 command structure.

The Canterbury, and Nelson-Marlborough and West Coast Regiment have the:
32nd Artillery Battery observation group along with
5 infantry companies
1 engineer 1 signals and 1 logistics company

4th Otago and Southland Battalion contains:
3 infantry companies
1 medical company and 1 logistics platoon

The real kicker is the defensive power of the 2/1st Battalion RNZIR light infantry along with the command structure of HQ3 Land Force Group. Can someone tell me what equipment and forces are in the 2/1st Battalion?

For this exercise we can include the full power of the NZAF. They are fighting AV-8Bs with AIM-9s against P-3K Orions.

The Navy is engaging initial salvos of Sea Eagles and sea mavericks.

_________________________________________________________________

With these forces would the MEU have a chance to cripple the NZDF and destroy South Islands standing defenders not counting any reinforcements or attempt to retake the island?

 

[Markus40]

I agree with you fully Big E and go as far as to say, that NZDF would NOT be able to stand up to a Amphibious assualt in the SI despite our limited number of soldiers. The USS Wasp for example would be able to conduct extended operations from this ship over a given period and could sustain a full occupation by just using this vessel.

I would suggest that there would need to be replenishment stores required for weopons and for food etc, and no the ANZACS at this point dont have the ESSM upgrade and as far as i am aware wont do for the foreseeable future. I would be worried if Australia wanted to come into the fray, as it would be then that i would call on 2-3 Aegis guided missile destroyers for self protection from the Air.

Could the Harriers make attacks on the ferries and port facilities if both ANZACs are in the Cook straights? Did they get the 32 cell ESSM upgrade like the Aussie counterparts or are they still using the dated 8 cell Sea Sparrow?

What kind of diversions could the NZDF provide to draw Harriers away from CAS for the amphib landing? Would that be enough to defeat ground elements of the MEU?

Since SI has only infantry and no artillery they must have some of the 1st Battalion with her NZLAVs and at least 1-2 105mm artillery batteries. Lets say by some miracle they get 500 men of the 1st and 25 NZLAVs and 2 batteries of 12 105mm L118 light guns across the straight before the attack takes place. They would only be facing 2 (12)155mm batteries with 8 M1A1s 16 LAVs and 30 AAVs carrying 4 rifle companies with 3 rifle companies on foot, total of 1,600 trained US marines. 4 Cobra attack choppers and 2 Harriers in support of the amphib with 8 Harriers tasked to stopping Cook Straight crossings.

What can the NZDF come up with as far as transport choppers and heavy lift air assets with C-130s and the like?

Do they have any attack choppers, anything that can mount machine guns, anything flying that can act as a bomb truck?

Lets say a SEAL team is on board, what kind of targets would you have them hit to cripple the NZDF?

 

[Big-E]

You can Park the USS Wasp in Pegasus Bay and take the South Island at will, we dont have the defenses or the "teeth" to fight back or do anything about it.

I find this comment somewhat disrespectful to the members of the NZDF. The idea that they would lay down their arms and surrender when their nation is at stake I find hard to believe. I know them to be a dedicated and very professional organization if somewhat lacking in equipment and personell.

Mod edit: Don't worry about monitoring the rules mate, that's our job. He didn't disrespect the soldier of OTHER Countries, he talked about his OWN... Cheers.

 

[abramsteve]

An intresting situation. The question I found most interesting was wondering if NZ would have as much warstock as a Wasp, is this true?

fftopicI know its off topic but I have felt for along time that Australia could defeat an American Carrier group, but only once. I dont think we would have enough surviving equiptment to mount a second defensive action :cry2

 

[Big-E]

fftopicI know its off topic but I have felt for along time that Australia could defeat an American Carrier group, but only once. I dont think we would have enough surviving equiptment to mount a second defensive action :cry2

Defeat a CBG, not likely, maybe the CAG but she isn't getting past 3-4 AEGIS platforms one of which being a cruiser along with the CAG. Her Harpoons don't outrange the SAMs. Has AU gotten her ordered AWACS yet? b/c if not she would be hard pressed to defeat 50+ Super Hornets with her older models IMHO.

 

[Aussie Digger]

Defeat a CBG, not likely, maybe the CAG but she isn't getting past 4 AEGIS platforms one of which being a cruiser along with the CAG. Her Harpoons don't outrange the SAMs. Has AU gotten her ordered AWACS yet? b/c if not she would be hard pressed to defeat 50+ Super Hornets with her older models IMHO.

In Tandem Thrust exercises in Australia our F-111's HAVE, however it's not only RAAF that has to be taken into account but the RAN as well. Collins have "sunk" CBG's on a number of occasions, despite the USN's very best efforts.

Our legacy Bugs have not been described by Boeing as "the best legacy Hornets in the world" for nothing either. In many ways (but obviously NOT all) they are equivalent to currently deployed SH's. The situation will change once the AESA radar is introduced across the SH fleet, but it hasn't yet...

Why do you think the "Gotland" has been acquired???

You are quite correct however, the Wedgetails will greatly increase our strike capacity nce they are introduced.