Zitat:Australia buys 12 more MH-60R helicopters

The US State Department has approved the potential sale of an additional 12 Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk naval combat helicopters to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The approval, announced by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 8 October, covers 12 helicopters, equipment, training and related services and is valued at US$985 million.

Some of the equipment included in the proposed deal are: 30 General Electric T700-GE-401C engines (24 installed and six spares); 12 Telephonics APS-153(v) Multi-Mode Radars; 12 Raytheon AAS-44C(v) Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems; 20 Link 16 Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems (MIDS); 12 Airborne Low Frequency Sonars (ALFS) – albeit ‘aircraft provisions only’; 18 Northrop Grumman AAR-47 Missile Approach Warning Systems (MAWS); 18 BAE Systems ALE-47 chaff and flare dispensers/ECM; 12 Lockheed Martin ALQ-210 Electronic Support Measures (ESM) systems; 24 M299 Missile Launchers; 12 GAU-21 door guns and 18 L3 ARQ-59 Hawklink terminals. [...] The recent Force Structure Plan 2020 calls for both an ‘expansion and rationalisation of the support and logistics helicopter fleet consistent with the expectations for larger naval operations’ and continued investments in ‘acquisition and through-life upgrades of the MH-60R anti-submarine helicopter’.

Zitat:Australia commissions second Supply-class replenishment vessel

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has commissioned its second and final Supply-class auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) vessel.

The ship, HMAS Stalwart (A304), was inducted at its home port of HMAS Stirling in Perth, Western Australia, on 13 November. Stalwart is the second of two 19,500-tonne AOR vessels ordered under an AUD642 million (USD470 million) contract [...]. First-of-class HMAS Supply arrived in Perth for final fit-out in October 2020 and was commissioned in April 2021. The two new AORs replace two older RAN oilers – the former HMAS Success , which was retired in June 2019, and HMAS Sirius , which will be decommissioned in December 2021.

Zitat:Australia seeks new landing craft

The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has issued a request for tender (RFT) for Littoral Manoeuvre Vessels – Medium (LMV-M) to provide independent shore-to-shore and ship-to-shore capabilities for the country's amphibious joint force over extended ranges in restricted littoral and riverine environments.

The RFT, released on 10 December 2021, said the LMV-M fleet will be capable of carrying the joint force's current and planned armoured and protected vehicles, as a combat-laden mission system in high sea states.

Zitat:Australia to Build New Sub Base for Nuclear Attack Boat Fleet

The Royal Australian Navy will establish a new submarine base on its east coast to host its planned nuclear-powered submarines and to complement the existing Fleet Base West, Garden Island submarine base, Australian officials said on Monday. The government is considering three possible locations for the new base – Brisbane, Newcastle and Port Kembla [...]

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement in a virtual address to the Lowy Institute, followed by a joint media release with Defence Minister Peter Dutton. Morrison stated in the address that the decision was made to support basing and disposition of the future nuclear-powered submarines, but at the same time stressed that the new base would not replace any existing Fleet Base West facilities, “This is about additional national capacity, not relocating any existing or planned future capacity for Fleet Base West. Fleet Base West will remain home to our current and future submarines, given its strategic importance on the Indian Ocean” said Morrison. [...] The Fleet Base West will also receive significant funding to support Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines and enable regular visits from U.S. and U.K. nuclear-powered submarines, according to the media release.

Zitat:Leak Reveals First Details Of Australia’s New AUKUS Submarine

Australians expecting that their navy will get Virginia or Astute class nuclear submarines have had their hopes dashed. Documents reveal that the go-forward AUKUS design will be based on an enlarged Collins Class submarine. [...]

Leaks have appeared in Australia’s nuclear submarine program. They reveal key details about the new submarine, which is the cornerstone of the new AUKUS pact between Australia, United Kingdom and United States. The go-forward design will be very different from what many have previously speculated. The new submarine will be a nuclear-powered evolution of the Collins Class. Six Collins Class are already in service with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) so this reflects a conservative choice.

The leaked document, seen by Naval News, outlines the propulsion. [...] As well as the nuclear propulsion, the new boats appear to have a vertical launch system for additional missiles.

Zitat:Vermutl. 1.4.^^

Zitat:April Fools: No The AUKUS Submarine Is Not Leaking

NavalNews has a tradition of running an April Fools article on April 1 each year. These are intended to amuse and entertain. There is no intention to genuinely deceive or mislead. At the same time, we hope that the content is thought provoking for those with a deep understanding of submarine topics.

Last year we introduced you to China’s new mega-super-submarine, the insanely large Type-100 Sun Tzu class...