The difference being the US will create a production line of ships to reduce the costs, with hulls 10 and beyond being a franction of the initial cost. They'd start overseas orders by that point and explore fleets wanting Oliver Hazard Perry style FFG.
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The important thing right now is to get the Hunter build underway, once that happens, we can build as many as we want, just because they say 6 in 2024 doesn't mean they can't change that number, as long each ship is ordered in a timely manner. The worst decision is they decide to only build 3.
thewest.com.au
thewest.com.au
All behind pay walls.Murdoch media, the Advertiser. (Hunter program speculation)
Followed by… 7 West Media, the West Australian.
Where WA’s pitching to build Arrowhead warships
WA is poised to make a pitch to the Federal Government to become the home of a future warship build that will fill a capability gap for the Royal Australian Navy.
WA’s shipbuilding workforce to benefit from warship bid
The shipbuilding workforce in WA could be increased six-fold with an international defence company finding a new way to address worker and skills shortages.
Personally, I don’t take Murdoch press seriously. A reduction to 3 Hunters(or less than 6) is possible though but they would have to announce a follow on project like the Type 83 to replace the Hobarts to ensure continuous shipbuilding.
I can't see Australia laying down the Hobart replacement in 2029-30, I think a batch 2 Hunter with an increase in VLS cells would be far more likely. Totally agree about Murdoch press, wouldn't believe them if the said the rain was wet.
Maybe, but they could also come to the realisation that trying to fit 96 cells onto a ASW focused Hunter Hull(now with no or little room for growth) might not be the best option and instead go with the larger Type 83. Eg 3, 4, 5 or 6 current spec ASW Hunters(no redesign) followed by AAW Type 83s. (This would allow both platforms to keep its mission bay/s).
It could all go many ways.
A couple of things that come out at Indo-Pacific 23, the Type 26 can be stretched by 10m and BAE is working on 3 different module designs to go where the Mission Bay currently is, with 16, 32 and 64 VLS cells as well as another 32 cells in place of the Mk 45 127mm. So they are working on designs with 32,48,64,96 or 128 VLS cells.
Which enemy has “vastly superior” missiles? Superior to what and to whom? The missiles being fired by the Houthis in these engagements by and large have an absolutely lousy success rate being unable to reliably hit large, slow-moving, non-manoeuvring civilian ships when they know exactly where they are, while the US and European weapon so far seem to have a near perfect success rate…
It's a smart move, mirrors the Canadians 'single surface combatant' program and exceeds it (by 1) in total numbers, with all the advantages that entails in logistics, training etc. I would imagine that the Hobart's will now be retired at the soonest possible convenience, perhaps once 'Tier-1' production is past 3 hulls. How they decide to do this (staggered 1 for 1, 8 tier-1 first/8 tier-2 last, additional production split between SA and WA) obviously remains to be seen, but overall a far better outcome i think than anybody was expecting.Surface fleet review carries Hunter Class changes in February release, say industry insiders
The Australian federal government is preparing to release its “Surface Fleet Review” recommendations in mid-February with significant changes to the Hunter Class frigate program, according to industry insiders.www.defenceconnect.com.au
Obviously not yet confirmed, but so much for for those cuts to the Hunter class frigate program. According to the article, it is now slated to be a class of 16, with 8 of the standard 32-cell ASW variants I guess now becoming the 'Tier-2' combatant with an additional 8 of the recently unveiled 96-cell variants forming the 'Tier-1' element.
Did you miss the recent article?