Build numbers and time frame are an unknown at this stage……No one knows. Too many variables at play.Not really. Until selections have been announced and contracts signed things are still very much up in the air. Take the first three vessels to be built in Australia for instance. If these vessels are to be built in a yard in WA, it is distinctly possible that the yard might not be ready to do so given what has been reported as going on with the landing craft builds. If this ends up pushing back the start of Australian builds by ~two years AND the Australian builds are to be of the same spec as the overseas builds (also meaning sourcing and importing components from overseas) then it is possible some of the components might not be available if there is a two year delay in the start of Australian construction.
2032 is the magic year
This year we are scheduled to commission the first of the Hunter Class.
So what does our fleet look like in 2032
One Hunter
Three Hobarts
Three Anzacs (assuming a 28 year life like HMAS Anzac )
Total. Seven ships.
Plus. X number of tier two frigates
Regards of where they are built, what does X look like.
Is this government or the next truly committed to building up the fleet, because without some bloody magic, this is looking like a very old and depleted maritime option.
The magic if we are serious is increased tier 2 numbers built over seas very very quickly.
Come the early / mid 30s
The Hunters will most likely be late, plus in limited numbers.
ANZACs will be old, small, knackered and increasingly irrelevant.
Hobarts fine
Tier two on time oz build highly unlikely.
Just too ambitious in conjunction with other projects
So a fleet of ten ships today
Down to nine next year then down to eight around 28/29
2032 we may have one SSN with training wheels.
Survey,MCM,supply sea lift all have unfulfilled needs in this time frame as well.
Navy needs to be an ambassador for itself!
I don’t think government truly realises how bad it looks both now and in the future
Trust some Magic in the detail for the SEA3000 winner later this year.
Sadly S