The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is underway with a major strategic and operational transformation. With a requirement to project power across the Indo-Pacific theatre to support national interests and wider coalition and international commitments, the RAN is returning to task group-based operations. Such operations are centred on its amphibious and maritime task groups (ATGs and MTGs). Its two Canberra-class landing helicopter dock (LHD) amphibious assault ships and three Hobart-class guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) are the centrepieces of such task groups.
The in-service LHDs and DDGs are to be joined in the RAN’s force structure in the medium term by nine new Hunterclass frigates (based on the UK Type 26 Global Combat Ship design), 12 new Attack-class diesel-electric submarines (based on the French Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A design), and 12 new Arafuraclass offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) (based on the Lürssen PV-80 design). Such a growth in manned platform numbers is seeing the RAN also grow in numbers of people.
Alongside these manned platforms, the RAN is seeking to add unmanned, autonomous capability above, on, and below the surface. Unmanned platforms can support task group operations in several ways, such as conducting anti-submarine or mine warfare tasks. They can also help carry the burden of presence across the vast reaches of Australia’s interests, providing sustained surveillance in key areas instead of using a manned, high-end platform whose capabilities can be better deployed elsewhere.
Denne historien er fra November 2019-utgaven av Asian Military Review.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 2019-utgaven av Asian Military Review.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
SMART MUNITIONS INCREASE MARKET SHARE
Top attack munitions are now widely developed for different artillery calibers with varied ranges.
NEXT GEN NVGS - A CLEAR IMPROVEMENT
Fused and enhanced night-vision technology will make the difference to soldiers fighting at night.
MILITARY ROTORCRAFT DEVELOPMENT - NO MORE ‘STOVEPIPES'
New rotorcraft are going to come with new abilities founded on open systems that provide easier upgrade paths and cheaper through life costs.
INDO PACIFIC UAV DIRECTORY 2021
The development of unmanned aerial vehicles is growing apace, especially in China. New longer range ISR platforms are also on the procurement list of several nations.
TIME TO RESET TRILATERAL RELATIONS
United States President Joe Biden has made it a top priority of his Administration to repair and re-energize global alliances during its first year in power. This is a necessary strategic and political calculus made in light of growing global security, public health, and environmental challenges that will require cooperation and multilateral contributions. President Trump’s ‘America first’ policy did much to undermine confidence in such relationships over his time in office.
SOCPAC KEEN TO SHARE JOINT DOCTRINE AND TRAINING
The return of Great Power competition means that US SOCPAC is more than ever seeking joint training opportunities with regional special forces.
MARINE ENGINE POWER - NOT JUST ABOUT KNOTS
Navies not only want more engine power, there are also coming under increasing pressure to become environmentally conscious.
AMPHIBIOUS FORCES
New amphibious concepts are re-shaping marine forces to break the A2AD defensive line.
SPACE V AIRBORNE ISR OR MIX AND MATCH
Owning satellite based ISR for military use is still an exclusive ‘club’, but airborne ISR still provides that most countries need.
SHIPBUILDING - A NUMBERS GAME
While experience grows among Indo-Pacific naval designers, order numbers remain crucial to keeping costs down and yards in business.
