The
Aegis air warfare system has been chosen as the core of the combat
system for Australia’s new air warfare destroyers.
The Aegis system is the world’s pre-eminent maritime air warfare
system and forms the backbone of the United States Navy fleet.
It’s also in-service with the Japanese and Spanish navies and
soon to be introduced into the South Korean and Norwegian fleets.
The Aegis is capable of detecting and defeating multiple hostile
aircraft and missiles at ranges in excess of 150 kilometres.
“This combat system will be a quantum leap in the air warfare
capabilities of the Royal Australian Navy.
It will provide significantly increased protection from air attack
for troops being transported and deployed, long-range area air
warfare defence for a Navy task group and a coordinated air picture
for the more effective deployment of fighter and surveillance
aircraft,” Defence Minister Robert Hill said.
The first of Australia’s three new air warfare destroyers will
be delivered in 2013.
The new ships, including the Aegis combat system, will be constructed
at a cost of $4.5 billion - $6 billion. Defence recommended the
Aegis as the best system for its air warfare combat needs based
on cost, capability, risk and schedule following analysis by the
Defence Science Technology Organisation and support from the US
Navy. Defence will now undertake a combat system integration and
risk reduction study to:
