Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates

[old faithful]

have 29 years shipbuilding ex[perience last four years i spent in design working pipe and machinary what are the chances of a fifty year old male with a drafting degree getting int0o the job market there thanks for your input

a lot work in darwin that may be suited to you...LNG plant looking good...best of luck.

 

[Tasman]

HMAS Parramatta heads back to the Gulf

The ADF site has a number of nice images of HMAS Parramatta departing Fleet Base East earlier this month for another tour of duty in the MEAO.

Two low res images are attached. For hi res images visit the ADF site below:

http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/global/opcatalyst/images/gallery/2008/0818/index.htm

Tas

 

[battlensign]

lol uhm i dunno wot dis is all about lol, ima gooooooooooooooooo noooooooowwwwwwww and guess what i'll do when i go?:nutkickmy little brother MWAHAHA

Ummm.....okay..... you do that then.

Brett.

P.S Nice pics Tas......was wondering when her deployment was (got a story for you gf when you see this).

 

[R.B.FOSTER]

Mod edit:

This site is intended to provide a site for QUALITY Defence related discussions. There ARE serving personnel and ex personnel who actively participate here as well.

Whilst it is great your father served on HMAS Newcastle, it doesn't really add anything to a discussion about the Royal Australian Navy DOES it?

Please try and read the rules of the forum and stick to them.

1st warning.

AD

 

[StingrayOZ]

Does anyone have any recent pics of the Carlos LHD? Have they put a deck surface on it yet? Is there any more news about its fitout?

 

[santi]

Try this link. The photos from the last two pages are from may to june this year. Note that the main mast has been retired. It will come back later with the Lanza-N 3D radar installed.

http://fotosdebarcos.com/viewtopic.php?t=13027&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=80

Regards

 

[Tasman]

Try this link. The photos from the last two pages are from may to june this year. Note that the main mast has been retired. It will come back later with the Lanza-N 3D radar installed.

http://fotosdebarcos.com/viewtopic.php?t=13027&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=80

Regards

Thanks for the link santi - interesting shots.

Tas

 

[Tasman]

HMAS Ballarat in New Zealand

The Royal Australian Navy Frigate HMAS Ballarat departed Cairns on 25 July 2008 bound for the Southwest Pacific.

During the deployment, Ballarat engaged Australia's regional neighbours and strengthened relationships, playing a support role at the Coronation of King George Tupou V, King of Tonga on 31 July 2008.

http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2008/aug/20080828a/index.htm

There are some nice hi res photos of Ballarat posted on the ADF site (see above link).

A couple of low res images are attached.

Tas

 

[icelord]

I am taking a punt in saying that there are probably 4-5 sets of Mini-typhoon in service at the moment. Ship working up for the Gulf, ship in Gulf, ship back from Gulf, one set for training at Westhead, set for amphibs. Will try to find out for sure though.
Cheers

WHG at flinders is closed for 2yrs while being upgraded, and before then i cannot recall seeing one, or mounts for it. 40/60s sat there for a while...things of beuaty

 

[Navor86]

I just searched the German Marineforum and found a Thread about a new Australian Multi Role Corvette.
Problem is that the Name of the Project wasnt revealed.
Here some facts they posted:
80 Man Crew
Able to transport 100 Man
Can transport a Varierty of ADF Vehicles(except Abrams)
Can be configuard for various Missions like Mine Warfare
25mm Bushmaster and 4 M2 (other Weaponsload will be tested)
Thread was from 2006

 

[alexsa]

I just searched the German Marineforum and found a Thread about a new Australian Multi Role Corvette.
Problem is that the Name of the Project wasnt revealed.
Here some facts they posted:
80 Man Crew
Able to transport 100 Man
Can transport a Varierty of ADF Vehicles(except Abrams)
Can be configuard for various Missions like Mine Warfare
25mm Bushmaster and 4 M2 (other Weaponsload will be tested)
Thread was from 2006

It is a proposal by Austal based on their trimaran hull form. Being based on a HSC hull it would be operable up to sea state 4 (maybe 5) but would be limited in speed at thsoe sea states. It is also a lot more 'delicate' compared to mild steel vessel of a similar length.

 

[Todjaeger]

It is a proposal by Austal based on their trimaran hull form. Being based on a HSC hull it would be operable up to sea state 4 (maybe 5) but would be limited in speed at thsoe sea states. It is also a lot more 'delicate' compared to mild steel vessel of a similar length.

I have included a link to Austal's page on their MRV here.

IMV it has the look of a "neat" design, but given the size, displacement and construction would consider it unsuitable for use by the RAN. I feel it could be very useful in green water ops, and as such, nearby nations like Malaysia, Indonesia or the Philippines could find such a design quite useful. Not sure how expensive the design would be to product though.

-Cheers

 

[Scouter]

PM Foreshadows defence buildup, esp RAN

It will be interesting to see where this goes...

From his doorstop following his speech to the RSL national congress in Townsville yesterday.

(link to text of doorstop)
http://www.pm.gov.au/media/Interview/2008/interview_0470.cfm

When we look at places like this where we have huge exports going to the rest of the world, we must be in a position in the future to defend Australia’s own sea-lines of communication.

That means having sufficient naval capability to do it.

If we are going to defend our sea-lines of communication to the rest of the world, we have got to make sure that we have got the naval capability to underpin that. And Australia therefore must have necessary maritime power in the future in order to give that effect.

The challenge that we face is that as of when the Government took over, navy in particular was under severe stress. For example within navy there is something like 24 separate skills categories which are currently suffering considerable personnel shortfalls, 24 separate skills categories. That is the challenge that we inherited.

Now across our naval personnel where we have something like 11,000 plus personnel, we must as a matter of priority start to rebuild those skills deficits in our navy. So the challenge for us in the future is not just to reequip navy with the necessary numbers of personnel, but to make sure that we have got enough naval assets out there to defend our sea-lines of communication.

So to conclude: first line of responsibility for government is defence. And part of defence is to make sure that we can defend our sea-lines of communication to make sure that our exports get to the rest of the world. And to do that Australia needs sufficient naval capability into the future, and we therefore need to close the skills gaps which currently exist within navy, the 24 sets of skills gaps that we inherited from the previous Government.

That’s going to take a lot of work, it’s going to take a lot of planning, it’s going to take a lot of finance. But this is the direction in which the Government’s thinking heads as we move towards the completion of the Defence White Paper for later this year, and the national security statement as well. Over to you.

JOURNALIST: So are you proposing a dramatic expansion of the Navy?

PM: Well, Australia is a maritime state. We have significant maritime interests, not just in terms of our own immediate interests in the south-west Pacific, but more broadly in the defence of our own sea-lines of communication.

So as a nation you’ve got to be serious about defending your sea-lines of communication in the future. And that means having sufficient naval capability to do it, and it means planning ahead to the middle of the century to make sure that those ships, subsurface and surface ships, are planned for, that they are invested in and the personnel necessary to keep them operating are there.

And as I’ve said, as of when the Government took over, we’ve inherited a real problem on our hands. Navy at present, absent any expansion, is having difficulty providing personnel in all its critical skill categories. There’s a major job of work to be done here.

Link to text of speech
http://www.pm.gov.au/media/Speech/2008/speech_0468.cfm

 

[StingrayOZ]

Well if Rudds delivers what has already been promised (LHD's, AWD, etc) and can figure out how to solve the man power and skills shortage hes doing ok.

(But I won't be happy until the 4th AWD is in the water).

Talk is cheap, it looks like he has acknowledged we need a navy and we need to improve aspects of our current navy. I don't see how thats going to happen in anything he has said.

We need:
1) Better deals. Not always more money, but better deals. Say lower (than current ADF deals) interest loans for cars/housing. Make serve your country mean something, if not the fantastic super deal, then atleast free private healthcare after a certain service limit etc.

2) Better accomodation, new ships with better cabins (twin share should be the target), modern looks, world class reputation. Larger messes, more rec areas and more rec activities at shore and on base. More international participation. This will make more sense with the AWD and the LHD in the fleet. In particular train more regularly with the US, anywhere where a big US excerise is we should have a ship or a boat too. Get more US, UK, German, Singapore, Danish, Dutch, French, spanish ships in Australian ports for vists.

3) Better jobs (more automation particularly for non exciting jobs or jobs with massive skills shortages and)perhaps even redefining jobs and the man power required for them. This is a long term strategy, so you don't end up with impossible to fill jobs. Jobs that look like being tricky, a plan and action should be carried out immediately. This is active HR managment not reactionary. Offer navy scholarships to uni for engineers, techs etc, make it a sweeter than usual deal(not just the regular hecs and rof deal, give em cash upfront and on completiton). Get more reservists in and then try and get this to flick to full time. Perhaps even deals on career path, do this job for so long and we will get you into such and such. Work as a plumber for 5 years a we will get you into uni for engineering for example.

4) Better basing. Don't base everything out of Perth. The resource boom shown the weakness in that idea. I would be working towards a Two fleet design. East and west. With a mix of navy vessels in each. With this mining boom its not feasable to relocate to Perth to become a submariner. Why not base those 3 uncrewable subs back in Sydney. Home ports could have an even loser definition. While not strategically optimal, I would rather have ships home ported in cities which can crew them and have them operational than have them ported where they are uncrewable. Porting out of the east also means trips to the closer (and more desireable) pacific islands a more frequent event.

5) Better and consistant marketing of the Navy. The US does this pretty well.

I think one of the best marketing would be the purchase of a F-35B. But atleast have pictures of the tigers taking off the new flat tops.

 

[Lt Tones]

Some of the suggestions you make are v good Stingray, however a lot of them are already being looked at or are in place. For example the navy scholarships. ADF scholarships have been in place for quite a while now, but a lot of students don't want to tie themselves down into a contract at such a young age.

In terms of marketing I seriously do not understand how the Navy doesn't realise the value of having images and ads with Tiger helicopters flying off LHDs or even better F35B off LHDs. What the Navy does in recruitment can be tripled just by these images. I know we don't have an LHD ship now, but seriously I'm sure the US will help us by "lending" a Wasp for a day for filming.

Everyone knows what the corny movie Top Gun did for recruitment.

 

[StingrayOZ]

The thing about generation Y and latter, is that marketing works. They buy into hype. Infact they demand it, brand names etc.

Rather than borrowing a Wasp, why not shoot with the spainish Carlos LHD nearly finished, they have harriers and ships very simular to our AWD. We need to train sailors now to operate these ships, so why not dangle what the future will be like. Perhaps next time they are out in the pacific with a larger US fleet.

Working with the latest hi tech machinery, in a professional and highly respected world wide organisation. With opportunities to travel, work with other international professionals, with a real career path, with real job satisfaction and fantastic accomodation on base and on water.

 

[Tasman]

Hobart visit by Manoora

The RAN amphibious ship , HMAS Manoora, arrived in the Derwent this morning. It's been a busy week for the ADF in Tassie with 4 army Blackhawks, along with special forces personnel from Sydney, exercising in the south of the state.

Tas

 

[Tasman]

Well if Rudds delivers what has already been promised (LHD's, AWD, etc) and can figure out how to solve the man power and skills shortage hes doing ok.

(But I won't be happy until the 4th AWD is in the water).

Talk is cheap, it looks like he has acknowledged we need a navy and we need to improve aspects of our current navy. I don't see how thats going to happen in anything he has said.

We need:
1) Better deals. Not always more money, but better deals. Say lower (than current ADF deals) interest loans for cars/housing. Make serve your country mean something, if not the fantastic super deal, then atleast free private healthcare after a certain service limit etc.

2) Better accomodation, new ships with better cabins (twin share should be the target), modern looks, world class reputation. Larger messes, more rec areas and more rec activities at shore and on base. More international participation. This will make more sense with the AWD and the LHD in the fleet. In particular train more regularly with the US, anywhere where a big US excerise is we should have a ship or a boat too. Get more US, UK, German, Singapore, Danish, Dutch, French, spanish ships in Australian ports for vists.

3) Better jobs (more automation particularly for non exciting jobs or jobs with massive skills shortages and)perhaps even redefining jobs and the man power required for them. This is a long term strategy, so you don't end up with impossible to fill jobs. Jobs that look like being tricky, a plan and action should be carried out immediately. This is active HR managment not reactionary. Offer navy scholarships to uni for engineers, techs etc, make it a sweeter than usual deal(not just the regular hecs and rof deal, give em cash upfront and on completiton). Get more reservists in and then try and get this to flick to full time. Perhaps even deals on career path, do this job for so long and we will get you into such and such. Work as a plumber for 5 years a we will get you into uni for engineering for example.

4) Better basing. Don't base everything out of Perth. The resource boom shown the weakness in that idea. I would be working towards a Two fleet design. East and west. With a mix of navy vessels in each. With this mining boom its not feasable to relocate to Perth to become a submariner. Why not base those 3 uncrewable subs back in Sydney. Home ports could have an even loser definition. While not strategically optimal, I would rather have ships home ported in cities which can crew them and have them operational than have them ported where they are uncrewable. Porting out of the east also means trips to the closer (and more desireable) pacific islands a more frequent event.

5) Better and consistant marketing of the Navy. The US does this pretty well.

I think one of the best marketing would be the purchase of a F-35B. But atleast have pictures of the tigers taking off the new flat tops.

I think you have made some excellent points in this post Stingray. Finding ways to ensure that the new ships now on order, together with the FFHs and the submarines, can be fully crewed would be a major achievement by itself, but like you I want to see the 4th AWD ordered and I would love to see F-35Bs flying from the LHDs. Wishful thinking perhaps but at least I can dream!

Tas

 

[icelord]

I'm up for more postings in Perth!

At present for Dibbys theres bugger all. look, i've been to sydney...i hate the place.
They do need more accomadation across the country though, darwin is full, in sydney is overflowing and cairns is not much better.

And the report in the Australian is amusing, 12-15 subs instead of a 4th AWD and a cut in JSF numbers...Yeah right!

 

[Marc 1]

I'm up for more postings in Perth!

At present for Dibbys theres bugger all. look, i've been to sydney...i hate the place.
They do need more accomadation across the country though, darwin is full, in sydney is overflowing and cairns is not much better.

And the report in the Australian is amusing, 12-15 subs instead of a 4th AWD and a cut in JSF numbers...Yeah right!

Know what you mean about defence accom in Sydney - we are on RA - it's costing the taxpayer a heap of dosh - excellent forward planning back in the 80's and 90's by DHA.

The report in the Australian is a little at odds with the PM's comments which is different to the spoutings of the Liberal backbencher from WA who is STILL preaching that we demand F22's from the yanks, which differs from Neil James from ADA recommending we focus on increasing light infantry numbers for regional stability, which differs yet again from Hugh Whites position that we need to concentrate our capabilities in a few directions only...:argue

Gotta love democracy, now would a few geniuses please get together and sort this out to put an end to all the chit chat.