This is a slightly delayed podcast, mainly about SEA 3000 and Japan’s offer of an upgraded Mogami class frigate. For background, here is a link to a more detailed article in APDR: https://asiapacificdefencereporter.com/mogami-frigate-fast-and-stealthy-like-a-ninja/. The frigates are very impressive with a number of advanced, stealthy features such as an integrated communications mast and a dramatic reduction in radar cross section. They have a small crew of 90 for peacetime operations based on high levels of automation and also changes to how the ship is operated – and does the RAN have the flexibility to make necessary changes in processes, particularly with regard to training?
Previous experience suggests they will struggle – and they probably don’t even know what they are getting themselves into. Given the recent dismal record of the RAN in cancelling SEA 1000; destroying SEA 1180; and scrapping SEA 1905, it’s a contract Japan might regret winning. And some nasty rumours about the competitor Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems are already circulating in the RAN – and this sort of destructive nonsense has to be stamped out. Finally a few words about biscuits.
To listen to the podcast, click here.
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The more I learn, the more impressive the Mogami gets, the sensor mast stealth design is very interesting.
The cultural change the Mogami class will force on Navy is quite a hurdle but it may be that the Mogami Frigate without any changes saves the Navy and Australian Defence department from its own incompetence, we shall see.
AUSTAL as the golden child of naval shipbuilding in Australia is in part explained by it being in Kim Beazley’s old seat at least originally.
The statement of the Naval officer about a private company is shocking in the extreme, yes indeed the culture in Defence need a wake up call and fast.
More good work Kym
Thanks as always and Happy New Year
Originally I was fully on board with the TKMS bid as it was a familiar design and would be easier to start building. The more I read about the Mogami the less on board with TKMS I get. The Mogami seems like exactly what the R.A.N. Needs but you’ve hit the nail right on head when you say the culture and mind set of the Navy is the biggest hurdle, Somewhere around the 90’s the R.A.N. Lost its appetite for innovation and slipped back into a 1800’s mindset. When the Perth Class where added to the Fleet in the mid 60’s they were so far ahead of our old River and Daring Class that it was like stepping into the future. That seemed to all Change after the Anzac Class, now everything is done to a political drum beat and the Admirals just go along with it. Sadly the Navy is seen as just to expensive to maintain and the mind set today is we’ll just buy Submarines to do everything because if we have Nuclear Submarines we don’t need anything else… Politicians don’t care, they’re only in Power for a couple of years before someone shafts them So they just kick the can down the road for someone else to fix.
I agree with your comment about the RAN in particular losing its way. On SEA 3000 I wouldn’t write TKMS off just yet – though the indications are they have one hand tied behind their back because of just how bungled this entire process is. The rules of total secrecy cooked up by Defence ban TKMS from saying a single word about their offer, but the same rules do not prevent the Japanese government and MHI speaking extensively about the upgraded Mogami. This is creating the very clear impression that there is only one bidder. If I were TKMS, I would say to Defence: “change your stupid rules or we will withdraw from this pseudo-competition.” If this doesn’t happen, they might as well save millions of Euro by pulling the plug right now.
Again, I find your narrative re TKMS confusing Kym, were you not at INDO PACIFIC 2023 in Sydney ? because TKMS were, showcasing the MEKO A210 for the first time worldwide in their SEA 3000 bid, see link below, TKMS from 5:40 on timeline…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_nU7EyRSyk&list=PLZ5dmKKH0J6Z3eZp1lU30NLqGxE1JcU7f
According to the rules of the competition, only ‘in-service’ ships can be offered. The MEKO A210 does not yet exist, unfortunately.
So are we to understand that DoD – RAN’s official tender position after eliminating Hanwha – HHI & Navantia from the competition, is that MHI can offer its ‘upgraded’ Mogami which has never been built therefore never seen service, but TKMS can’t offer the MEKO A210 because its build/service status is identical to the ‘upgraded’ Mogami?
Precisely.
I was pleasantly surprised to see your article on the Upgraded Mogami Frigate. Mostly because I did not expect it due the aforementioned competition “rules” preventing the participants from engaging the media to discuss their propositions. Maybe I am missing something, but why is the Japanese government and MHI allowed to be so “open” about their bid? Are they leveraging their position as a growing strategic partner and hoping the Australian government looks the other way or otherwise being given favourable treatment?
I 100% agree with you that TKMS should get their “right of reply” to MHI’s recent media coverage. By the way Kym what is your policy on cross linking to other websites? Navy Lookout has an informative article on the Meko A-200 as the former candidate of the Royal Navies Type 31 frigate competition. It goes into more detail about crewing, propulsion and possible weapons fit than the official websites. Worth checking out.
Thanks – I’ll check out the article.