I think there is more chance of hell freezing over firstPerhaps we could take a leaf out of the US's book and go for ex politicians or PM's.
HMAS Bob Hawke? HMAS Paul Keating?
i wonder if the 40mm gun off one of the fremantles is still lying around.Now for the really BIG questions, what will it be called in ADF service and what gats is it going to mount?
I'm calling a 25mm Typhoon on the front and a couple of 12.7mm Mini-Typhoons for the remainder of the arcs...
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 withi 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.
Wouldn't have thought so, the FFH's and FFG's use different voltages and plugs for domestics.That's excellent news if it eventuates.
The RN retiring such a young capable ship at this time is incredibly fortunate for RAN.
The fact that it will help fill the Manoora void and then slot nicely in Phase 3c, more so.
Presuming internals are by and large 240v 50 hz, although the poms use a different power plug pin configuration. Would it be likely to require much of a makeover before RAN service?
cheers
rb
Gday Abe,Looks like the RAN has just picked up the RFA Largs Bay for 65 million quid (or AUD 102 million) to provide the rapid replacement for HMAS Manoora and once the Canberra class LHDs are in service as the Phase 3C sealift ship. Also as part of the Government's plan to remediate the amphibious force an Australian built multi hull fast ferry will be leased. Good news for the Navy and ADF and thanks to timely Ministerial intervention in a rapidly arising problem.
A bargain, half of what the Australian and Canadian teams valued her at.Look after her, you lot!
£65 million - about what I expected.
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.I would hazard a guess on the 25mm Bushmasters from either Tobruk or the LPA's might get transferred over.
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.Have you heard anything more on the fast-cat lease?
Must admit that news came out of the blue.
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 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.
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? Is it to show/flex muscle in the pacific area? or are they really more about disaster relief helping out other countries in time of need etc with the added benefit of dropping a heap of troops/tanks and other attacking items on someone's doorstep if needed?
Great news for the RAN and Australia.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!
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...Great news for the RAN and Australia.
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.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...
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...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
Well, there's a place in Australia called Largs Bay, so why not?No buzz's yet to what she will be called.
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.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.
-Cheers