The future HMAS Hobart taking shape

[LEUT_East]

Latest pics from Adelaide...

[Rodondo]

Looks like she'll be launched sometime late summer 2015

[LEUT_East]

Makes me wish I was still in the RAN - she will be (budget permitting) an awesome lady.

[heuhen]

she will be (budget permitting) an awesome lady.

if the budget is tight, then I bet on "armed for but not equipped with" just like what the shifty Norwegian did/do

[Rodondo]

I hopefully we might even get a fourth one at the rate the new budget is allocating funds to defense like its a money fueled spaceship

[denodon]

I'd rather they divert the funds from ordering the rubbish F-35s to something that's actually capable of replacing our F/A-18Cs with a role we'd actually use then put the rest into upgrading the Navy's equipment. Apparently the Collins are doing okay now but there's still plenty to do elsewhere. Then there's the matter of recruitment..

[LEUT_East]

I'd rather they divert the funds from ordering the rubbish F-35s to something that's actually capable of replacing our F/A-18Cs with a role we'd actually use then put the rest into upgrading the Navy's equipment. Apparently the Collins are doing okay now but there's still plenty to do elsewhere. Then there's the matter of recruitment..

Sukhoi Su-30's...woo hop

[Thiel]

I'd rather they divert the funds from ordering the rubbish F-35s to something that's actually capable of replacing our F/A-18Cs with a role we'd actually use then put the rest into upgrading the Navy's equipment. Apparently the Collins are doing okay now but there's still plenty to do elsewhere. Then there's the matter of recruitment..

The F-35 has better sensors and endurance which makes it better at air policing. It has better range and higher payload which makes it better at the kind of air to ground missions we've seen in recent year. It's stealthy which means you don't have to fly nearly as many support sorties in order to carry out missions within enemy SAM coverage.
Unless you want to get out of the fast jet game entirely I'm not really sure what you'd choose as more useful.

Sukhoi Su-30's...woo hop

The goal is to get airframes actually in the air within the next ten years right?

[nebnoswal]

What other choice is there? We committed to the F-35 about 1 day after the US, and have pumped a lot of cash into it ever since, and there is nothing else coming on the market, in the West in comparision. Sure Grippen, Typhoon and Rafeal are good now, but what about in next 10 years?
Do we need a 4th AWD? Yes, to bridge the valley of death, but for what other purpose? Same could be said for a 3rd LHD, and commit to an air wing of F-35Bs.

[Oberon_706]

Re: the budget and defense procurement;

The DoD announcements regarding accelerated navy acquisition programs was interesting, particularly news that the future resupply ships won't be built in AUS (direct competition between DSME and Navantia), the coming conference with the Japs about tech sharing from the Soryu class subs, and this little chestnut re future frigates;

"The Government has also agreed to bring forward preliminary design work to ensure Australia maintains the necessary capabilities to retain the option of building the future frigate in Australia. This work will focus on continued production of the current AWD hull, suitably adapted and utilising capabilities from the cutting-edge Australian companies CEA Technologies Australia and SAAB Combat Systems. Further decisions on the future frigate will be taken in the context of the 2015 Defence White Paper."

Does this mean we're going for an Australianised Fridtjof Nansen FFG now (with CEA radars and SAAB combat systems)? And where's our previous funding commitments to the type 26 design process in this decision?

Thoughts??

Cheers