This discussion of kill the OPV, or build better armed corvettes or build patrol frigates, and do it all ASAP, is fantasy.
Would we all like to see more MFUs in the RAN sooner than later? Of course, but it’s not that simple.
How long will it take to create a budget, change the Force Structure Plan, produce an RFI, then a shortlist of contenders, then an RFT, maybe cull the short list, finally pick a design, negotiate a contract, etc, etc? We should be well into the Hunter build by then, and other building projects too.
And if that wasn’t enough, there is the not so small matter of shipbuilding manpower (or lack of) and some infrastructure requirements.
Current Osborne projects:
* Collins class - current workforce perform FCD and shortly start LOTE
* SSN - workforce doesn’t yet exist, has to be built and grown
* Hunter class - workforce being built (block prototyping, etc) but will need to grow substantially for real production, which is not that far away
* OPV - production will start to wind down soon
* DDG upgrade - starts shortly after OPV project ends, I would imagine the OPV workforce will either move/split across the DDG and Hunter build.
Osborne infrastructure:
* ASC maintenance hall - was used to build the boats, now FCD and upcoming LOTE
* SSN build halls, were started for Attack class, will probably need adjustment, still to be completed
* BAE - will use the new build halls (built and owned by ANI) for Hunter class program
* ASC Shipbuilding build halls - originally used for DDG construction, now used for OPV, will likely be used for DDG upgrade
* Shiplift x 2 - one for Collins, one for ships, submarine shiplift may require enlargement for SSNs?
Not much excess capacity, especially manpower, to start a Patrol Frigate project ASAP.
Current Henderson projects:
* Patrol Boats - Austal currently building two PB classes, Austal also has commercial projects, PB projects come to an end shortly
* Collins class - ASC perform MCD and other sustainment
* Anzac class - BAE workforce, AMCAP comes to an end shortly, sustainment continues, maybe further upgrades?
* OPV x 10 - Civmec workforce employed up to approx 2030
Projects to start between now and 2030:
* Mine warfare/Hydrographic ships x 8 - based on OPV, likely to be built by Civmec, or in their build hall alongside OPV fleet
* Joint Support Ships x 2 - one to replace Choules, one additional
* Ocean Protector replacement
* Undersea Surveillance Support ships - size and number unknown?
* Forward Support vessel - size/configuration unknown?
* Replacement LHD (LCM-1E) landing craft
* Army watercraft - LCM8, Large Landing Craft (LCH replacements), Riverine Patrol craft
Some of the infrastructure upgrades required are:
* Dry Dock - future maintenance, but also likely to be required for the 2 x JSS and Ocean Protector build projects
* Transfer systems for larger ships and ship maintenance
* Possibly new halls required for JSS block work, etc
So ......
I struggle to see where, or how, a whole new Frigate project can be slotted in quickly amongst the other projects, infrastructure, and find the manpower to do so, apart from completely trashing the NSP and starting again (can’t see that happening).
If, and it’s a very big ‘if’, the Government decided tomorrow the RAN required a new fleet of Frigates ASAP, overseas build appears to be the only option.
Builders in Japan, South Korea, Italy and Spain are some of the obvious locations that could happen.
But that would be political suicide for any Government to send that work overseas.
Anyway, no simple solution, and just my opinion of course.
Cheers,