The future HMAS Hobart taking shape

[Rodondo]

You an Aussie Oberon?

Supposedly the Anzac Replacement will displace up to 7000t so a Nansen isn't out of the question with ASW being the primary focus, though I can imagine a scaled back Hobart being a good contender as well. Hopefully they retain the 127mm primary gun for the replacement, especially seeing the use they got in the Second Gulf War.

[Oberon_706]

Surely am Rodondo, maroon-blooded Queenslander currently studying in Sydney.

On Gun systems, I wouldn't mind seeing the use of the Otomelara 127 either - 'Volcano' ammo is a tasty proposition for long-range, precision naval gunfire support.

I'm more concerned with a restoration of credible ASW capacity however - Because, as you'll soon be able to walk from Darwin to China on the back of all the diesel subs proliferating our part of the world, good ASW capability is an absolute must! This is partly why i was excited about Aussie commitment to the T26 program - the Thales 2086 integrated sonar suite (with CAPTAS4 multi-mode, Variable Depth Towed Sonar (slated for inclusion on the T26, and partly operational on the T23 duke class) is a world beater and would be a real coup for the RAN (working in well with the purchase of the SH60-Rs with their dipping sonar and active/passive sono-bouys.
If we go for the AWD hull instead of the T26 i assume that and other system fit-outs get called into question?

Cheers

[Rodondo]

Another damn Queenslander

From what I gather from Anzac crew-members I've met, they seem to like the 127mm over the 76mm of the Adelaide class any day, that Vulcano ammunition looks awesome.

Very true, especially around the Malay Peninsula and Spratly Islands, I bet they trade paint from time to time.

If the AWD hull or a similar hull get chosen, it will certainly require a look into whether certain weapon systems are feasible. Seeing the recent spending spurge, they'll hang onto the Thales 2086 integrated sonar suite with all the other cash spent. I'm guessing the first replacements will be coming online by 2026-2031, so its very plausible we'll go for another new hull designed sometime after 2020, but IMO a upgraded Nansen hull or something similar is a serious contender.