Out with the old, in with the new

HMAS Tobruk

HMAS Westralia

HMAS Adelaide

HMAS Kanimbla

HMA’s Huon and Hawkesbury

The Navy will significantly sharpen its air warfare and amphibious capabilities as the result of the Defence Capability Review announced earlier this month.

The Review reaffirmed that the defence of Australia, regional requirements and border protection remain the primary drivers behind the Australian Defence Force’s structure.

Three air warfare destroyers have been assured under the Review and new SM2 missiles will be fitted to four of the Navy’s FFGs.

But the Navy’s two oldest FFGs, HMAS Adelaide, commissioned in 1980, and HMAS Canberra, commissioned in 1981, will be decommisioned in 2006 when the last Anzac frigate is delivered.

In addition, two Huon mine hunters (as yet un-named) will be laid up and the fleet oiler refueller HMAS Westralia will be replaced by another oiler which will be refitted in Australia.

HMAS Tobruk will be replaced with a larger multi-role troop transport ship from 2010.
The RAN’s pair of LPAs, HMAS Manoora and HMAS Kanimbla, will also be replaced from 2010.

The Chief of Navy, VADM Chris Ritchie, said the new ships and equipment would significantly enhance the Navy’s capability.

“The Defence Capability Review has identified and endorsed the way ahead for major improvements in our air warfare and amphibious capabilities,” VADM Ritchie said.

“Navy can now confidently plan for these capabilities to be introduced during the next decade.
“The result is the Navy will have more surface combatants than we have ever had during my service career.”

The impact on personnel will be communicated as Navy implements these changes.

“I consider that the outcome is very positive for Navy and for Defence as a whole,” VADM Ritchie said.
“However, I am very conscious that many Navy people will be affected by the changes that Government has approved.

“The changes will be implemented as plans are finalised, so people will be able to make plans with as much certainty as possible.”

Announcing the results of the Review, Defence Minister Robert Hill said the changes to the Navy were part of a list of capability enhancements relating to all arms of the ADF.

“After reviewing our Defence capabilities, the Government has decided to provide the ADF with new assets, equipment and capabilities that will ensure it continues to be able to defend Australia and Australian interests in an uncertain and complex environment,” Senator Hill said.

Senator Hill said frigates and amphibious ships had been engaged constantly since September 2001 across the full spectrum of operations.

Additionally the importance to the Government of the ability to deploy, lodge and sustain Australian forces off-shore had been re-emphasised.

While these deployments had been highly successful, lessons had been learned, and the Government had accepted advice from VADM Ritchie.

The anti-ship missile defence projects currently being implemented will be complemented by the introduction of SM2 missiles to four of the Navy’s FFGs and the acquisition of three air warfare destroyers.

“The FFG will be improved in Australia and the Government’s strong preference is to build the air warfare destroyers in Australia which will provide significant work for Australia’s shipbuilding industry,” Senator Hill said.

The core of the combat system for the air warfare destroyers will be US designed – probably a variant of the Aegis air warfare system.

This combat system can track large numbers of aircraft at extended range and in combination with modern air warfare missiles, can simultaneously destroy multiple aircraft at ranges in excess of 150km.

Senator Hill said this capability would significantly increase the protection from air attack of troops being transported and deployed.

“To provide offsets, the two oldest FFGs will be paid off from 2006 when the last of the new Anzac frigates is delivered,” Senator Hill said.

“Furthermore, the Government’s strategic guidance will enable it to lay up two mine hunter coastal vessels which could be brought back into service should the need arise.”

The fleet oiler HMAS Westralia will be replaced through the acquisition of another operating, but environmentally sustainable, oiler which will be refitted in Australia.

The substitute oiler, which is expected to be in service in 2006, is a less ambitious replacement than that envisaged by the White Paper of 2000.

“This is a significant and demanding program for the Navy but one the Government thinks is warranted by the current and projected strategic environment,” Senator Hill said.

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