Sorry everyone, forgot that FT has a paywall for specific linked articles.
Google - Australia targets arms exports amid defence splurge
There is no short-fin barracuda in service either.
True, but there was off the shelf of any sub in that contest (although I will admit the french were more risky than the Japanese. So capability counts).
Australia needs low risk defence procurement with high level capability.
Given we are starting the Sea5000 build in 2020 and the first Type 26 won't enter service until the "early 2020's" It's not going to line up. It may be the first Sea5000 frigate is IOC before the first Type 26 (unlikely but possible). I think if Pyne could move construction to the start of 2018 he would.
Which leaves FREMM and the F-105. FREMM would need a fair amount of modification, and it would be a hard sell over the existing F-105 based capability and compatibility we already have.
There is also another issue. It would be commercially useful for the full sized CEA radar to be at sea on a ship ASAP on a low risk, proven platform. Given how much Pyne is talking up exports, it is an additional motivator. UK type 26 operating out of Australia would also seem to fit that concept.
Google Australian future frigates set sail for faster course.
Again, a 4th AWD (or a AWD bigger than 3) might have been more sensible. I imagine what ever hull we end up with at the end of the sea5000, we will just keep building them and then replace the AWD with a new destroyer based off that new hull. I would imagine the UK might look at replacing or supplementing the Type 45 around then as well.
If you had a time machine, we would have ordered the AWD around the 90's (would have be ideal for Timor), and built 4-6 of them. Paid off the FFG's. We could then afford to wait in replacing the ANZAC's.
But now?