| Tango01 | 05 May 2014 10:02 p.m. PST |
"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…" link Full article here.
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Armand |
| FoxtrotPapaRomeo | 06 May 2014 3:55 a.m. PST |
Tango, Not quite correct. The two Australian LHDs replace two older LPAs Kanimbla and Manoora, and the heavy landing ship Tobruk. Idea is to land a reinforced Battalion (1100 soldiers) with armour, artillery and around a dozen helicopters (mix of ARH Tiger, Chinook and NH-90 Taipan). Also useful in civil emergencies in our neck of the woods. Can't see us buying F-35Bs to support them and the more planes, the less Army assets able to be carried. RAAF assets including F-35s, Super Hornets, Wedgetail and P3/P8 would support from land bases and mid-air refuelling. Have a great day, Frank |
| Tango01 | 06 May 2014 10:01 a.m. PST |
Many thanks for clarify it my friend!. (smile). Amicalement
Armand |
| Wargamer Blue | 06 May 2014 4:57 p.m. PST |
The Aust navy wants a third LHD to operate jets from but the government says no. |
 Dal Gavan  | 06 May 2014 6:23 p.m. PST |
G'day, Blue. The Aust navy wants a third LHD to operate jets from but the government says no. That's a new one to me. The RAN can't crew all their ships and sub's now, so how would they crew another LHD and (the 12 X new sub's they want)? Or are they still playing "My Budget's Bigger Than Yours" with the RAAF? PS to the editor of Stars and Stripes and other disinterested observers- there is no Royal Australian Army. It's simply the Australian Army. The junior services have the "Royal" prefix. ;-) Dal. |
| WarDepotDavid | 06 May 2014 7:04 p.m. PST |
MRH90s on the LHD not NH90s. NH90s are navy versions. LHD will fly army assets. |
| Wargamer Blue | 06 May 2014 11:53 p.m. PST |
You learnt something new then Dal. |
| Dal Gavan | 07 May 2014 4:35 a.m. PST |
Yes, mate. I don't doubt you, I'm just wondering where the RAN is going to get the crews if they get the 3rd LHD. And then there's the question of whether we need another floating Admiral's palace, with or without token F-35B complement, or not. Dal. |
| Tgunner | 18 May 2014 7:03 a.m. PST |
there is no Royal Australian Army. It's the just the lot in life of all Armies… Just can't get any respect! So the Australian Army is building its own MEUs? Cool idea. Will these groups include destroyers and frigate for escorts and sea control? |
| Dal Gavan | 24 May 2014 8:14 p.m. PST |
G'day, Tgunner. It's the just the lot in life of all Armies… Just can't get any respect! More like they're too busy doing their job to crank up the PR machine.  I'm not really sure- It's been 18 months since I left Defence and plans for Army use of the LHD's were still at the "more fluid than water" stage. We don't have Marines (with the broad skills base in the battalions of the RAR we don't need them), so I suspect it will be a posted "Ship's Army Detachment" and the choppers and troops will be allocated as required. There was some talk about 2RAR specialising in AMPHIB OPS, but I'd say it's more likely that there will be a couple of companies from a couple of battalions that get the training, as it was in the '80's. Of course, that all depends upon what the current budget "efficiencies" do to the ORBAT. The RAN and RAAF have some very big ticket items on order and they'll fight like scalded cats to keep them (and the pollies like getting their photo's taken with big, new, shiny ships and 'planes), so it's likely the axe will fall on the army. If they cut any battalions (betting within the RAR Association is 7RAR and 8/9RAR- despite CA being an old 8/9 lad- with 7RAR being re-linked with 5RAR and 8/9 joining 4RAR in the "Excess to Requirements Club) then finding troops to go aboard the new RAN toys will be problematic. That probably won't bother the RAN at all. Cheers. Dal the Pessimist. |
| Observer | 29 May 2014 5:35 a.m. PST |
A news article from Janes says "Australia will consider buying the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) in addition to the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) variant to which it has already committed, a spokesman for Defence Minister David Johnston confirmed on 26 May." Which would make quite a difference to the use of the LHDs – lucky they kept the ski ramp.
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