True, but in all likelihood the same weapon will be replacing the DSB30 mount on the Huon’s, so it will be zero sum game in terms of overall numbers of orphan weapon systems, and besides if it is fitted to multiple classes of ships, it can’t really be an orphan system I suppose.
In any case, RAN will have had a significant consolidation of it’s naval gunnery systems with the retirement of 76mm from FFG (though still operated at RAN training schools) the impending retirement of DSB30 and the eventual retirement of Mk.45 Mod 2 from the early ANZAC’s leaving RAN overall with small arms systems, 12.7mm Mini-Typhoon, 20mm Phalanx, 25mm Typhoon, a likely 40 / 57 / 76mm gun for the Arafura Class / MCM / Hydrographic Class and Mk.45 Mod 4 127mm for the Hobarts and Hunter Classes.
I wouldn’t think 3 minor and 2 major gunnery systems, plus small arms is too extravagant for a modern Navy?
At one point in time, RAN was operating 12.7mm, 20mm, 25mm, 30mm, 40mm, 76mm and 127mm guns on various ships…
A good overview of what we have.
A modern navy should have a range of calibers.
Certainly a heavy machine gun - RAN - 12.7mm
A main gun - RAN - 127mm
Something in the middle - RAN - 25mm / 30mm / ? mm
CIWS - RAN - rapid fire 20mm (Suggest dated and to be replaced with soft kill and short range SAM's)
Certainly now's a good opportunity to consolidate the middle tier.
So take your pick.
30 mm is popular internationally and will probably be the path going forward. ( Hunter Class )
However is this the future mount for the OPV's?
For a constabulary vessel it would suffice, but Navy selected a 40 mm for a reason.
RAN logic suggests that continuing with a 25 mm mount would not suffice and that was before the recent cancellation of Leonardo's 40 mm offering.
What now!
Not wanting to read to much in the few words out from defence, do we consolidate with a middle tier cannon for the OPV's or give them an orphan product.
Maybe part of that answer is, can the OPV's have two weapon systems?
A mid size cannon ( 30mm ) and a small something else.
The Typhoon mount is a relatively light weight system and could in all probability be mounted forward of the intended 40mm location, thus now leaving this space open for something else.
Space and weight permitting.
Two weapons covering a range of contingency, rather than one trying to do it all.
Not a battleship, just an OPV that provides greater flexibility to free up the majors to do what they do.
Cheers
Regards S