A question and an associated thought bubble (yes, those can be dangerous esp coming from me...).
From the RAN entry on the Hunter-class FFG
here, it mentions 2x 30mm short range guns. Has a selection been made, or additional information released, on what guns these will be?
With the planned 40mm gun for the
Arafura-class OPV now no longer part of the plan, this could be an opportunity for the RAN to start to standardize some of the small calibre guns in use throughout the fleet. Is there any information out that indicates the RAN/ADF is looking at doing so?
Size note, if this is actually being done (working on adopting a common, multi-role rapid fire small calibre gun) for use across the fleet, this could provide opportunities to both increase the scope of defenses a vessel has, as well as provide modest (very modest) increases in overall firepower. IIRC there have been some small calibre gun mountings that include options for small, direct fire missiles. Now I am
not using this as an argument to turn patrol vessels into missile-carrying warships fit to sail into harms way, but IMO it would potentially provide another defensive layer if a combination 30mm gun + Hellfire or RAM were fitted. Just a thought.