Wally,
Yes agree, we don't want to see the LHD's wondering around the ocean's all on their own.
But, I think you have taken the 3rd LHD that I mentioned out of context.
What my post was actually suggesting is a 'bulk' buy from Spain.
I also put them in some sort or order too, eg, 20 OCV's, 2 AOR's, a 4th AWD and finally a 3rd LHD.
The reality, especially with what might come up in the Budget and new White Paper is that we will probably see the AOR's happen, and there was talk a few months ago about a 4th AWD.
But I think the real chances of a 3rd LHD are probably pretty low.
It will also be interesting to see if the 20 strong class of OCV's survives the new White Paper and DCP too.
After some commercial and institutional meetings and agreements of differente types, with Navantia, the Spanish Navy, Spanish goverment, it is probably more business with Navantia in form of new ships.
All of what you say are being assesed from the Aor, 20000t, 6000 nm range, 8000 m3 fuel, 2000 m3 jp5, 2-3 helos, and the rest that you say.
But i would pay more attention now in Opv, where Navantia can offer the Bam, 2800 t., 8000 nm range, it comes with many modularity and very wide missions, even can carry towed sonar and have 2 triples torpedos tubes, space for 3 containers with 3 helo uavs with sonobuoyes and depth charges, and the real helicopter, 32 sam in 8 cells launchers and the harpoons, plus electrooptic infrared, lasermeter, with 2 20/25/35 mm guns in one mount.
20 opvs are many, because they are for different purposes, 20 ships can be constructed sharing the work in numbers with Navantia yards. I mean if i can choose sending ship building job to local industries in Australia, i rather ocupe the yards with 10 o 15 opvs, than with one Aor, probably it has a longer run of occupation.
I like the idea of having antisubmarine opvs, that have 2 electric motors for upto 12 knots, to be more silent with the smaller diesels than mains, it becomes cheaper to have a fleet of antisubmarine warfare, if we have to buy an Awd or an Anzac to be antisubmarine then it will be more reduced in units, and working antisubmarine is important long curtains, when you have more antisubmarine units it is easier or better task.
But not just having the 2 hot topics with aor and opv, in relation with Navantia and Spanish relationships, because there is another one with at least 3 meetings apart from the others meetins i said before. 3 meetins in Cartagena, because a few days ago the Australian Embassadora in Spain came to Cartagena to see the S80 submarine jobs. And a few days before that another technician-militar delegation from Australia together with delegations from other countries, came to have a talk and questions to Navantia, that was presenting the S80.
So they can come slowly, one by one, aor, opv, submarine, 4th awd, extra design work for future Anzac, or we can go in great agreement, with measured stages, upto long range stages, so Navantia can programe work and cheaper for Australia.
