Just a quick thought... I know this is re-iterate something we have discussed before, I find that Hobart is really lacking in sufficient self defence against multiple AShMs - especially the supersonic AShMs.
The current Hobart DDG include the following hard kills and soft kills options against AShMs:
1. ESSM
2. Mk15 Blk 1B
3. Nulka
4. Mk 137 SRBOC
5. ECM/ESM
One could argue that these are good enough to fend off 1 or 2 simultaneous attack, but come multiple AShMs, I am not confident that they will be sufficient. The DDGs also lack the same multiple channel of fire found on the Anzac class CEAMount X band radar. Yes, the two Mark 99 fire-control
wave illuminating radarscan time share, I get that, but they are not as capable as the CEA Mount radar. I also understand the the next upgrade of ESSM Blk 2 will have an active seeker which will improve and increase the number of simultaneous engagement.
I would love RAN to consider replacing the Mk15 on top of the hanger with the SeaRAM and/or perhaps add a pair of 35mm Millennium gun space and weight permitting.
I suspect some of you will argue that the DDG will never work alone, and they will be surrounded by the current Anzac FFH (and in the future, Sea 5000 Frigates) and the CEC capability will allow the ships to fight cooperatively increasing lethality, etc etc etc. I get that too, but always nice to know that if we can afford to arm each ship more, they will be even more capable to defend not just individual ships but overall the entire fleet.
Same argument also applies to the LHDs, can't wait till they get their Mk15s, and would love to see at least 1 SeaRAM on each of them too.