The Royal Australian Navy has a very serious 'shopping list' when it comes to future acquisitions, the Navy's primary 'shoppers' RADM Kevin Scarce and CDRE Tony Flint, told the Leadership Conference.

RADM Scarce is the Head of Maritime Systems and CDRE Flint the Director General of Maritime Development.

They combined to present details of new equipment set for the Service.

The equipment includes:

• Three replacement DDG type air warfare type vessels, larger than HMAS BRISBANE, to be between 6000 and 9000 tonnes and delivered about 2013.(SEA 4000)

• An extensive FFG upgrade even to replacing their existing powerplants with turbines.

• Five new vessels using a common Australian-built platform but then sub designated as fleet oilers or LPAs. Two of the new ships would have to replace WESTRALIA ( due to go in 2009) and SUCCESS ( due to go in 2015)

• Work on the ANZAC fleet.

• Completion of the Mine Hunter Coastal contract, SEA 1555. Four of the six ships already delivered.

• The replacement of the patrol boat fleet under project SEA 1444. The presenters warned that although the present Fremantle fleet is 15 vessels, the new patrol boat fleet may not be that number. They said that between 10 and 15 Australian companies should be in the tender process, brought down to two or three by the end of the year. Navy wanted the builders of the new vessel to "look outside the box" when it came to design concepts.

• Advancements in the Nulka, Harpoon and ASMD projects.

• The continued work on the Collins submarines and the purchase of combat systems from the US.

• Purchase of a heavy weight torpedo from the US and the development and purchase of lightweight torpedoes for use by ships, maritime aircraft and helicopters.

• Project SEA 1390. The replacement of the SM1 missile.

• Continued testing and development of the Evolved Sea Sparrow missile after its failure during "drop testing."

• The acceptance of the Kaman Super Seasprite helicopters.