Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates
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I think there is more chance of hell freezing over first
i wonder if the 40mm gun off one of the fremantles is still lying around.
once the Huons start to go im betting on the DS30Bs being swapped i read somewhere there is space for 2 on a Bay. be kinda dissapointing if they just disapeared.
Not sure why anyone would want a clapped out manual Bofors with no optics at all, other than maybe giving the dibbies something to play with
I would hazard a guess on the 25mm Bushmasters from either Tobruk or the LPA's might get transferred over.
Cheers
Wouldn't have thought so, the FFH's and FFG's use different voltages and plugs for domestics.
Most of the heavy stuff runs on 440.
Just need an adapter plug or get a friendly greenie to make up a power board that suits Aussie plugs
Gday Abe,
Have you heard anything more on the fast-cat lease?
Must admit that news came out of the blue.
Cheers
I am very pleased Australia bought the RFA Largs Bay. Since I am a old sea salt, I prefer not to change names or numbers, but if she has to be renamed for Australian service, there is nothing wrong with Jervis Bay. Considering the current state of Australian amphibious ships, Australia did very well getting her at a good price.
I would follow the armament footprint of the British, with two 25-mm bushmaster chain guns; Typhoons if they choose; one to port and one to starboard. When deployed to a hot spot a Phalanx CIWS can be fitted...
I suspect her radio communications are interoperable with NATO and Australia, but her secure communications equipment will require replacement...
I was hoping either Australia or Canada would be able to get her as in my opinion both needed her more than the others...
I would follow the armament footprint of the British, with two 25-mm bushmaster chain guns; Typhoons if they choose; one to port and one to starboard. When deployed to a hot spot a Phalanx CIWS can be fitted...
I suspect her radio communications are interoperable with NATO and Australia, but her secure communications equipment will require replacement...
I was hoping either Australia or Canada would be able to get her as in my opinion both needed her more than the others...
StevoJH
The Bunker Group
A bargain, half of what the Australian and Canadian teams valued her at.
Remove the unnecessary cost incurred by placing the contracts for design, & building the first two ships, with a failing yard which no longer had the resources to do the work, & needed constant injections of cash to keep it in business, & help (paid for from my taxes) from the yard contracted to build the second pair, & the total price per ship was less than £100 mn, including design. She's been busy for 5 years, & incurred a bit of wear & tear. £65 mn doesn't seem unreasonable. It's about what I expected - & I'm on record here as saying so, months ago.
Proves all the guff about AUD300 million was just that.
Take care of her, you lot!
Proves all the guff about AUD300 million was just that.
Take care of her, you lot!
The Typhoon system acquired for HMAS Manoora is a pretty safe bet for RFA Largs Bay in RAN service. Two Toplite EO sights, two 25mm Typhoons and two 12.7mm Mini Typhoons will be transferred to the new ship, but don’t hold your breath. Could take some time.
Not much more than anyone else. As to the market there are a few options. INCAT have two fast cats nearing completion on spec or without public contracts that could be leased/brought soon. One is a 112m/1450dwt which they’ve sold quite a few of recently the other a smaller 85m/500dwt (still bigger than the DevilCat/Jervis Bay) which is being built with a bow ramp option. They don’t have any spare ships sitting around but some may be up on their current leases soon.
http://freepdfhosting.com/c63f06104e.pdf
AUSTAL have their 102m/680dwt trimaran that is yet to find a home. It missed out to a second hand INCAT boat (the 98m 052) for a cross Taiwan Strait run recently. So they might be looking for a bit of a government helping hand to earn some money from this oversized beer can.
Next Generation 102m Trimaran - Austal
A
Aussie Digger
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The problem with those 30mm guns, is that they are a unique ammunition type n ADF service. (Tigers use 30mm I know, but different rounds again).
I'd be far happier if they standardised on 25mm ADF wide (they are/or have set up domestic 25mm ammunition production) if we could get more few more 25mm Bushmaster cannons in-service on a few different platforms, I'd happily lose those DS30B's.
A
Aussie Digger
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First and foremost they are warfighting ships. They are designed to allow a miltary force to maneuvre and can deliver combat power at ranges and in quantities no other platform can deliver.Excuse my ignorance about these ships, but what are they really for?
As a consequence of the design features needed for such a mission: helicopter carrying capability, landing craft capability, large cargo and personnel transport capability, large fuel, oil and lubricant carrying capacity, large food, supply and ammunition storage capability, medical facilities and command and control capabilities, these ships can undertake a large range of operations.
1. Combat operations (obviously) from amphibious warfare operations, to anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.
2. Command and Control operations. These vessels have a large facility for the planning, executing and administration of miltary operations. They also have a very wide array and depth of communications capabilities, meaning they are also capable of "battle managing" or co-ordinating operations.
3. Peackeeping operations. The equipment they carry has equal utility in combat and peace enforcement/making operations. A helicopter carrying an infantry section can deliver that sectin to fight someone, or simply insert into an area and through their physical presence and ability to fight as necessary, deter those who may have fought if that section wasn't there.
4. Because of the design capabilities of these ships, they can provide great assistance in disaster relief operations or evacuation operations when carrying the proper assets.
They can do all of these things in virtually all but the most extreme weather conditions and they can do it, whether there are proper port facilities or not. They are also self-sufficient for significant periods of time, depending on the intensity of the operations they are asked to undertake and they can be replenished at sea, prolonging their endurance.
To conclude, these vessels are useful for a very broad spectrum of operations, not just combat. They provide a Government with a huge range of options, when they need it. They can do combat. They can do disaster relief, they can do just about anything RAN needs them to do and they'll do it far better than some so-called experts would like, those who call for small ships, simply because they don't "like" something that happens to look like an aircraft carrier...
meatshield
Active Member
Great news for the RAN and Australia.
I don't wish to pick bones, but as I recall I was commenting on her worth brand new or if Australia bought a new one. As it turns out we learn her used book price is AD200 million...
Never-the-less Australia got her for a bargain price of AD102 million in the auction. Australia saved AD100 million on the book price, and AD200 million from buying and building a new one. A very good bargain...
Frankly, I am alarmed Canada didn't bid more if they did bid, as their program to build at least two JSS ships is now more of a program to build two AOR ships. But that is water over a bridge...
Australia did very well with the price for the RFA Largs Bay. I am sure they will make good use of her... Buying RFA Largs Bay and a new Globemaster with their budget surplus is astounding...
Todjaeger
Potstirrer
Something to keep in mind about the Canadian Maritime Command. They currently do not have an amphibious capability, as such, they also would not have a full doctrine worked out for amphib ops. Therefore, they might not have been as eager to suddenly purchase a Bay-class, since the vessel would likely be physically in Canadian possession before the doctrine has been developed, possibly several years before the doctrine would be ready.
The Canadian Protecteur-class AORs which need replacement are just that, AORs. Given Canadian overseas deployments, there has been some interest in a combined AOR, lift and command vessel. Given potential issues with such a complex vessel with potentially disparate roles, the limited funding available for Canadian defence purchases, and that fact that what Canada definately needs is an AOR, the lift and command functions are 'extra'... It is little wonder that Canada is back to just getting replacement AORs for now.
One thing I do wonder about RFA Largs Bay, is how much kit would need to be changed out for Oz kit, and whether that would be done prior to her entering RAN service, or if that would be delayed until HMAS Canberra reaches IOC.
-Cheers
All so true, but recently the Canadians armed forces have had difficulties moving and supporting their troops in a number of places abroad, including Haiti. While they don't need an amphibious capability, they do need a sea lift ship to complement their air transport fleet. This sea lift capability had been expected to be filled by the JSS, but alas, the JSS program has turned into an AOR program. Currently they depend upon commercial leases of ships which don't necessarily support their armed forces adequately or available US Navy sea lift...
Well, there's a place in Australia called Largs Bay, so why not?
But she's not an amphibious assault ship. She's a sealift ship with a secondary amphibious capability. Her dock is pretty small - & that's deliberate. There was some debate over whether the Bays needed a dock, before it was decided they should have a smallish one.
I don't see any problem with doctrine. Canada could have used her like any other sealift ship (i.e. as the RFA has used her), but been grateful for the ability to land stuff over beaches when harbours aren't available. That would have been useful in Haiti: both landing craft & Mexeflotes would have been valuable.
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