For whatever reason, RAN wasn’t interested in replacing it’s Balikpapan Class and yet Army needed the support of such a capability. Government directed that we would pivot to a substantially greater littoral maneuver capability and Army is stepping up to provide it.
The non-Corps postings are intended to develop a wider appreciation of other Corps and systems. It is meant to develop selected personnel for higher promotion. If the individual wants to stay in the trade stream then that is fine. But that will also limit their potential promotion. After doing non-Corps postings there is nothing stopping the individuals return to their trade stream.
The transfer of the troop lift helicopters from RAAF to Army (UH-1s as CH-47Cs had been retired) also saw the transfer of fixed wing AAvn roles to RAAF (the Pilatus Turbo Porters were retired). The helicopters due to their shorter range etc were located much closer to forces requiring their capabilities so it made sense for them to be operated by that service. It is also the reason why the Navy helicopters are not RAAF.
Exactly what I was saying....there is a line, and helos and lt fw were on one side of the line
The Balikpapen LCHs were originally procured for and operated by Army. The decision, similar to the later helicopter one, was that Navy should operate them moved the capability but not the need. For Army the LCMs and LCHs were maritime versions of the Unimog and Mack trucks. They were intended to move material and personnel as part of a battle plan from either Divisional or Brigade HQs.
www.damen.com
Just catching up with this decision and from the point of view of the specification and capabilities of the Damen LST 100 there seems a lot to like. They have a helicopter deck, crane, 4000nm range and 15 knot speed so could have many uses in peace and war. With the crane able to lift landing craft (and drones) in and out of water, they could be used for lots of missions - Damen lists mine warfare. So eight of these should be really useful.
LST 100 - Landing Ship Transport | Damen
Damen Landing Ship Transport 100 provides access and support to shallow and small harbours and provides military clients with amphibious capability.
For all those reasons though, surely these should count as auxiliary warships and be commanded by naval officers. In fact, wouldn’t these make ideal early commands to make it easier for navy officers and sailors to work their way up in developing command experience?
I have never been in the military and understand that there are always turf wars over who controls what. But surely this is obviously a ship. The new LCM is effectively the size of the old LCH, and the new LCH is the size of the old LST. In fact, that is exactly what these are called in the Damen catalogue.
From what I've heard, I think the crane will have even more interesting uses than that.
With the new fires brigade, and water transport expansion, we couldn't fill the 120 with 300+ troops.
And arguably it will be a less intense learning curve than it was for army aviation.
Reef creation exercise. RNZ navy has been practicing too. Gotta keep the fish stocks up
I just can't imagine these craft operating in hostile areas without escort protection. I would have thought they would be moving equipment mostly within safe areas (i.e friendly territory) and within sea lanes that have frigate, mine clearance and aircraft overwatch.
...or even one Phalanx to either LHD, despite a ready pool of weapons, a formal program, 5+ years of elapsed time, and a far greater consequence if the shtf...
Hence the GP Frigate program.
