Just a thought on the addition of a third ship of the Cantabria class for the RAN.
While two new ships of the class will be a step up in capability over our current ships Supply and Sirius, a third will certainly add to availability and sustainment. Certainly very flexible asserts that also have not insignificant logistical dry storage capacity, complimented with flight deck and two spot hangar for delivery of stores. Good for some limited HADR work, not to mention complimenting our dedicated amphibious assets.Three ships should be good in numbers to both support the fleet and or act as a sole contributor to UN duties.
I would hope such ships will not be such political footballs as acquiring extra high end destroyers and / or additional LHD'S / helicopter carriers, however desirable such ships maybe.
If there is a challenge, it's probably where the third ship is to be built; ie Spain or locally in Australia.
As to the future, a fleet of a dozen OPV,s and a dozen destroyers I would suggest requires commensurate fleet support. Two ships may not be enough and with the suggestion of acquiring an amphibious / supply ship in the late 2020's maybe there is some merit in looking at a third Cantabria instead.
Which begs the question. Do we replace HMAS Choules with another dedicated amphibious ship, or do we give her a big refit to keep her going.
For myself, I'm not a fan of single ship classes which suggests a replacement amphibious ship of a class ship that we already have in service.
Not unrealistic for a nation of our size ,wealth and most importantly our needs.
Anyway, back to the naughty corner!!!!!!!!!
Regards S
While two new ships of the class will be a step up in capability over our current ships Supply and Sirius, a third will certainly add to availability and sustainment. Certainly very flexible asserts that also have not insignificant logistical dry storage capacity, complimented with flight deck and two spot hangar for delivery of stores. Good for some limited HADR work, not to mention complimenting our dedicated amphibious assets.Three ships should be good in numbers to both support the fleet and or act as a sole contributor to UN duties.
I would hope such ships will not be such political footballs as acquiring extra high end destroyers and / or additional LHD'S / helicopter carriers, however desirable such ships maybe.
If there is a challenge, it's probably where the third ship is to be built; ie Spain or locally in Australia.
As to the future, a fleet of a dozen OPV,s and a dozen destroyers I would suggest requires commensurate fleet support. Two ships may not be enough and with the suggestion of acquiring an amphibious / supply ship in the late 2020's maybe there is some merit in looking at a third Cantabria instead.
Which begs the question. Do we replace HMAS Choules with another dedicated amphibious ship, or do we give her a big refit to keep her going.
For myself, I'm not a fan of single ship classes which suggests a replacement amphibious ship of a class ship that we already have in service.
Not unrealistic for a nation of our size ,wealth and most importantly our needs.
Anyway, back to the naughty corner!!!!!!!!!
Regards S
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