Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0

[Redlands18]

You beat me to the line.
Defence images have some good pics

Defence Imagery: 20220612ran8598163_0344.jpg

images.defence.gov.au

This shot portrays the LHD as a true multi service asset.


Cheers S

Oh come on!!!! no big heavy metal Trunks to lug around, just doesn't seem right. Bags on Wheels you can pull behind you

 

[AndyinOz]

A great shot it really does press home the size and give an idea of the capacity of the two vessels. She is a big girl. It is one thing to read specifications or to see one floating off the coast a long way out (my only personal experience). But alongside with a stream of personnel embarking you can get a better feel for the capability the ADF gained when they were acquired. As for the bags on wheels, well she looks big enough to be a cruise ship but don't P&O and such prefer nice lily white?

 

[hauritz]

‘Watch this space’: AUKUS subs announcement nears

An announcement on Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program is due “shortly”, according to the chief White House adviser for the Indo-Pacific. Dr Kurt Campbell, the Biden administration

www.defenceconnect.com.au

There is to be an imminent announcement in regards to Australia's Nuclear Submarine Program according to Dr Kurt Campbell. Campbell is the Biden's National Security Council coordinator for the Indo-Pacific. There has of course been a lot of recent speculation as to how Australia might proceed with this program. Indications are that we might finally see an end to that speculation in the near future.

 

[DDG38]

Speaking of new arrivals :
"HMAS Coonawarra welcomed the arrival of Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Otway for the first time recently, the first of six Cape-class patrol boats entering Royal Australian Navy service. The ADV Cape Otway began storing ship on Saturday, 12 March 2022, prior to being accepted by Defence's Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) from ship builder Austal at its Henderson ship yard in Perth, Western Australia. The vessel's first visit to Darwin, the home of Navy's patrol boat operations, foreshadows the change towards the future capability of the new Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) currently being constructed." Image Source : ADF Image Library

 

[DDG38]

A reminder that a ship is only as good as the people who train and fight it.
"Members of standing sea fire and emergency party conduct training during a damage control exercise onboard HMAS Parramatta at sea."
Image Source : ADF Image Library

 

[76mmGuns]

"HMAS Canberra embarked personnel, vehicles and equipment while alongside in Townsville Queensland on12 June, 2022 ahead of Regional Presence Deployment 22-3 where they will conduct a number of navy- to-navy engagements with partner nations across the region. The deployment continues the Australian Defence Force’s long standing program of international engagement in the Indo-Pacific." Image Source : ADF Image Library
(this is a great shot that demonstrates the sheer size of these ships)
View attachment 49439

Also the size of the luggage each person brings!

 

[76mmGuns]

I just checked out NVL's website ( formerly Lurrsen), and noted they have this cgi pic of an opv 80 with a 25 or 30mm gun. Although it's in Coast Guard white, it gives an idea of what ours might look like if no further change in armament is made.

Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) - Coasguard vessels | NVL

NVL OPVs are flexible, robust and multifunctional for optimal protection of territorial waters.

nvl.de

 

[76mmGuns]

As an aside, for the multitude who think our Arafura should be upgunned, this article on Bulgarias corvette from NVL should show you what you'd end up with. ..something very, very much more expensive. You'd be better off simply building new class of ships, which Australia has no money, crew or interest in doing.

NVL Group lays keel of 1st Corvette for the Bulgarian Navy - Naval News

German shipbuilder NVL Group laid the keel of the first of two corvettes for the Bulgarian Navy in Varna, Bulgaria on June 17, 2022.

www.navalnews.com

 

[Redlands18]

As an aside, for the multitude who think our Arafura should be upgunned, this article on Bulgarias corvette from NVL should show you what you'd end up with. ..something very, very much more expensive. You'd be better off simply building new class of ships, which Australia has no money, crew or interest in doing.

NVL Group lays keel of 1st Corvette for the Bulgarian Navy - Naval News

German shipbuilder NVL Group laid the keel of the first of two corvettes for the Bulgarian Navy in Varna, Bulgaria on June 17, 2022.

www.navalnews.com

Like Brunei the OPV80 will be the primary Combat Vessel of the Bulgarian Navy, Australia's comparison is the Hobart class. A well armed OPV80 Corvette is a good choice for Navies that have a very small Coastal area and are expecting to be operating close to their coast or under close Air support.

 

[Underway]

As an aside, for the multitude who think our Arafura should be upgunned, this article on Bulgarias corvette from NVL should show you what you'd end up with. ..something very, very much more expensive. You'd be better off simply building new class of ships, which Australia has no money, crew or interest in doing.

NVL Group lays keel of 1st Corvette for the Bulgarian Navy - Naval News

German shipbuilder NVL Group laid the keel of the first of two corvettes for the Bulgarian Navy in Varna, Bulgaria on June 17, 2022.

www.navalnews.com

Upgunned to do what exactly?

When arming a ship you are looking at what capabilities you want that ship to have based on the role you expect it to do. So if you say up gun something then you need to have a capability goal for that besides looking badass. So what capability does more weapons bring to the OPV that it doesn't have that Australia needs from its OPV's.

In the Bulgarian situation, those OPV's seem to be designed to duel with the Russian missile boats and corvettes in the Black Sea. That is a specific capability Bulgaria is building towards.

 

[DDG38]

"ADV Reliant transiting Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone enroute to Sydney. ADV Reliant is an investment in Pacific resilience. When the ship commences service later this year it will spend 250 to 300 days per year in the Pacific contributing to Pacific Family priorities and needs. Its roles will include humanitarian assistance, training, mentoring, regional engagement, and capacity building." Image Source : ADF Image Library

 

[ddxx]

Upgunned to do what exactly?

When arming a ship you are looking at what capabilities you want that ship to have based on the role you expect it to do. So if you say up gun something then you need to have a capability goal for that besides looking badass. So what capability does more weapons bring to the OPV that it doesn't have that Australia needs from its OPV's.

In the Bulgarian situation, those OPV's seem to be designed to duel with the Russian missile boats and corvettes in the Black Sea. That is a specific capability Bulgaria is building towards.

IMO the only logical ‘up gunning’ at this point in time would be the selection of the 57mm gun.

"ADV Reliant transiting Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone enroute to Sydney. ADV Reliant is an investment in Pacific resilience. When the ship commences service later this year it will spend 250 to 300 days per year in the Pacific contributing to Pacific Family priorities and needs. Its roles will include humanitarian assistance, training, mentoring, regional engagement, and capacity building." Image Source : ADF Image Library
View attachment 49448

Let’s hope for a red hull paint job soon, I’m a bit OCD about fleet livery uniformity

 

[ADMk2]

Upgunned to do what exactly?

When arming a ship you are looking at what capabilities you want that ship to have based on the role you expect it to do. So if you say up gun something then you need to have a capability goal for that besides looking badass. So what capability does more weapons bring to the OPV that it doesn't have that Australia needs from its OPV's.

In the Bulgarian situation, those OPV's seem to be designed to duel with the Russian missile boats and corvettes in the Black Sea. That is a specific capability Bulgaria is building towards.

You also need to understand the operational threat that these vessels face, and we now know with the cancellation of the planned 40mm gun system, that RAN has revised it’s threat assessment for this class…

I don’t see much support for the concept that with our deteriorating strategic environment the threat to the class has somehow reduced, affording an opportunity to lower the intended level of combat capability for this class…

Unless you believe that, all available signs point to the opposite. What that means however, remains to be seen… It could easily be an alternative medium calibre gun system with improved ammunition systems, firing more modern munition types for example. Time will tell.

 

[Stampede]

Hi all

I think we should all shy away from the Arafura Class weapons fitout until an announcement is made.
It is a subject that interests myself and I'm sure many others, but currently we are all on a verbal loop of repetition pending more information.

I confess to have been an opinionated and guilty contributor to this subject

Cheers S.

 

[DDG38]

Back to reality....
"HMAS Canberra and Warramunga conduct a dual replenishment at sea with USNS Yukon as they sail through the Pacific Ocean." Image Source : ADF Image Library.

 

[Milne Bay]

Back to reality....
"HMAS Canberra and Warramunga conduct a dual replenishment at sea with USNS Yukon as they sail through the Pacific Ocean." Image Source : ADF Image Library.
View attachment 49449

HMAS Warramunga must be just out of refit, as her radars are still grey and free from exhaust black.
Is there a date for the picture?
MB

 

[DDG38]

HMAS Warramunga must be just out of refit, as her radars are still grey and free from exhaust black.
Is there a date for the picture?
MB

Follow the image link and the EXIF is there

 

[Underway]

IMO the only logical ‘up gunning’ at this point in time would be the selection of the 57mm gun.

Does the OPV have a Fire Control Radar? Does it need to shoot down aircraft or missiles? Because that's what a 57mm is designed to do. It's primarily an AA gun, though it can do ok work on small boats.

And after you add the FCR and 57mm is the cost, crewing, cooling, power, and maintenance for the system worth it? Because a 57 (and FCR) takes a whole lot more effort to keep effective and maintained than a 30mm. Or are you relying on technicians ashore to keep it (and its radar) in proper condition?

 

[ADMk2]

Does the OPV have a Fire Control Radar? Does it need to shoot down aircraft or missiles? Because that's what a 57mm is designed to do. It's primarily an AA gun, though it can do ok work on small boats.

And after you add the FCR and 57mm is the cost, crewing, cooling, power, and maintenance for the system worth it? Because a 57 (and FCR) takes a whole lot more effort to keep effective and maintained than a 30mm. Or are you relying on technicians ashore to keep it (and its radar) in proper condition?

I imagine that is the sort of information the new Government’s ”Defence Posture Review” is seeking to attain, as one of it’s considerations is specifically:

• exploring potential upgrades to weapons on the Arafura Class offshore patrol vessels or through additional Hobart Class air warfare destroyers;

Marles eyes early subs delivery, backs new ‘posture review’

Closing a 20-year submarine capability gap is the Albanese government’s priority, according to the defence minister, who has also touted a new of Australia's $270 billion investment in next-genera

www.defenceconnect.com.au

What will come of this remains to be seen.

 

[StingrayOZ]

Does the OPV have a Fire Control Radar? Does it need to shoot down aircraft or missiles? Because that's what a 57mm is designed to do. It's primarily an AA gun, though it can do ok work on small boats.

Does it need to be able to detect and possibly shoot down drones or deter aircraft? Do the Chinese possess drones or other aircraft that could limit or incapacitate an OPV? It is also the gun used by friendlies in the region(Burnei, Thailand, Malaysia, . The US also intergrated the 57mm on its national Coast guard NSC cutters and off shore patrol cutter. 57mm gun is also integrated into the 9lv combat system. It is also organic to the ship being built.

Does the opv need a 40mm? Apparently it did. But it isn't integrated and isn't a production ready in gun with low risk and existing customers. It was also not up to the threat assessment.

In regards to a 25-30mm weapon, does it take 15 minutes to make it operational? Do crew need to be exposed while doing so. Does the 25mm have the enforcement power? the range? If the 40mm isn't capable how is the 25mm more so?