Current government imo seems to be doing a good job with Defence.
To be fair for this Navy thread they are implementing a new class of ships in the Mogami plus pursing the original SSN script.
( The later I have reservations, but that’s my personal opinion)
Hobart upgrades and new missiles for the RAN
So yes some positive movement.
I do have reservations that survey and MCM ships are not being replaced
The unmanned stuff will need a manned mother ship and clever technology always has to go on a manned something.
Preferably a dedicated ship.
Navy will still need large ships ;so it concerns me HMAS Choules will not be replaced and that Navy for there intended bigger fleet will have just two supply ships.
Army’s intended LCM and LCH should be a complement not a replacement for big ships.
The intended multipurpose vessel had merit but my preference was an extra LHD and Supply Class
Really not big dollars but a great return for capital spent
Rule of three
LHDs will in part morph into drone carriers and we should capitalise on that space
Fortuitously, we already have two excellent ships in the Canberra class.
As for the patrol boat fleet, they really need a bit more clout than what they currently possess?
Add to the list some light weight add ons in the form of small UAV s , attack drones , SHORAD , plus ensure all the major ships have SEARAM.
Greatest threat in our time and all!!!!
So some good stuff but also a lot of gaps that need filling for a balanced fleet both now and as it grows.
Governments score card
A pass
But probably just 5 out of 10
And yes I voted for them!
Cheers S