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Showing posts with the label Australian armed forces

Australia’s Submarine Decision: A Matter Of Grand Strategy – Analysis ( Source- Eurasia Review / Author- Sam Bateman)

Japanese Soryu class submarine under construction ( Image credits- Wikimedia Commons / Hunini) Source- Eurasia Review Author- Sam Bateman Australia’s future submarine programme is the largest and most complex defence procurement in the nation’s history. The decision as to which submarine to choose has become one of grand strategy with far-reaching economic, political, and strategic consequences. While technical issues to establish the “best” submarine remain important, strategic, political and economic factors are also key determinants of the decision. It could have significant impact on Australia’s regional relations and the ability of Australia to act independently within the region. The three contenders in the current evaluation process are: France’s state-controlled naval contractor DCNS offering a conventional-powered version of the nuclear-powered Barracuda-class submarine; ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) of Germany with a Type 216 Class submarine, an up-size

Avoiding the capability gap through international partnerships (Source- Aspi Strategist, Author- Michael Ward)

German Type-212 Submarine ( Image credits- Wikimedia Commons/ Author) Source- Aspi Strategist Author- Michael Ward There has been considerable public debate about Australia’s future submarine program with much of the focus being centred on whether submarines should be produced locally or procured offshore. But surprisingly little of the debate has touched on the imperative to avoid a capability gap once the Collins-class submarines begin to be retired from service in the latter half of the next decade, nor on how Australia might best utilise existing sovereign submarine capabilities to achieve that. Given the unique nature of the Australian requirement, it seems highly unlikely the solution for Australia’s future submarine would be either an ‘off-the-shelf’ purchase from an offshore supplier or an onshore design-and-build activity. Notwithstanding the fact that Australia doesn’t have the design capabilities to go it alone on the future submarine program, any existing

Future Frigates today’s challenge ( Copy Right @ The Australialian)

Image courtesy- Wikimedia commons/ Author The notoriously long gestation period of a major military capability means considerable effort has already been directed at the so-called Future Frigate that will replace the RAN’s eight Anzac-class workhorses sometime in the next decade. Although the Sea 5000 program has yet to complete the ­requirements definition phase, there has been no shortage of ­debate on capability and construction issues within both Defence and industry — until recently. One-on-one discussions in Sydney last year between ­Defence’s Capability Development Group and major industry players were to have been followed by a strong Defence team visiting ship designers in Europe and possibly the US. However, that visit has been cancelled and industry informed that no further developments can be expected until after publication next year of the Defence white paper and its accompanying defence capability plan. According to the 2012 DCP, the eight Future Frigates

US allies in Pacific adding 'mini-carriers' to their fleets ( Copy Right @ Stars and Stripes, Author- Seth Robson)

JDS Izumo (DDH-183),  Image Courtesy- Wikimedia commons/ Author- Dragoner J.P The naval strength of America’s allies in the Pacific is growing, with Japan and Australia building a fleet of massive ships designed to launch aircraft at sea. Japan already has two Hyuga Class destroyers — each able to carry up to 10 helicopters — and it will soon launch its first Izumo Class escort ship. The vessels have large landing decks that allow multiple aircraft to operate at the same time, according to the Japanese Ministry of Defense. The 13,950-ton Hyugas are primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare missions, according to Jan Van Tol, a retired U.S. Navy captain who is a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments in Washington, D.C. “The Izumos, on the other hand, have accommodations for some 400 troops, and will apparently be able to accommodate (tilt-rotor) MV-22 Ospreys and perhaps F-35B [verticle take-off and landing] aircraft,” he said. The Japanes