This Federal election 2025 special podcast starts with the shocking news that the government is offering nothing new on the Defence and national security front – and the opposition isn’t much better. For Australians interested in topics other than the most dull, mundane, routine “news” they will have to go elsewhere than the election campaign and the woeful performance of much of the media. The US is radically transforming in front of our eyes, realigning with Russia and other authoritarian regimes. President Donald Trump’s trade war is in the process of wrecking the US economy – and unless he changes direction, within a few weeks 500,000 jobs will be lost in California alone. This is a rapidly sinking ship – but you won’t hear a word of that from the major Australian political parties.
To listen to the podcast, click here.
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What’s going to protect and replenish your F-35B bearing LHD’s Kym ? based on the calibre of RAN’s performance so far in the 21st century , do you really believe it’s capable of mustering even a mini escort ie a single submarine, air warfare destroyer, anti submarine warfare frigate, general purpose frigate and replenishment vessel essential for carrier air group ops ? number 1. on my wish list, outsource Australia’s strategic policy planning and defence procurement to Singapore, THEY know what they’re doing.
Yes, they are all fair points – but we have to start somewhere. If we really want to ramp up, contract Hyundai Heavy Industries to build us 3 KDX-III Batch 2 destroyers (actually cruisers) with 128 VLS cells each. HHI can build them at 9-month intervals: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sejong_the_Great-class_destroyer. The problem for the RAN will be crewing them. I’d also reinstate SEA 2200 the two logistic support ships cancelled to pay for the dream of AUKUS Pillar One. The Singaporeans, like many other nations, do a good job on the capability development front.
Some interesting ideas Kim, as usual we agree on the Luerrsen corvettes, with the IFV order increasing to 450 I agree as well. Numbers matter in war but let me again speak up for cheaper wheeled vehicles, in this instance the Hanwha 6×6 Tigon.
Top shelf? No, but sufficient I would certainly say yes. Again numbers matter.
I would add to your list far more long range airborne maritime patrol both manned P8’s and unmanned Sea Guardian/Triton and a more plentiful and larger transport fleet, either Embraer C390 or the Japanese C2, just not out dated C130’s no matter how much gloss and updates are slapped on.
Mike has an excellent point about the excellence of Singaporean strategic vision, I could not agree more. They certainly put us to shame in the strategic vision and value for money stakes.
However gentlemen I fear it’s all too late.
The woeful response to Chinese provocations in our home waters show us our real capabilities, ie none.
All that’s left is shallow window dressing from Defence/politicians and wish lists from the desperately well meaning both industry specialists and Joe public.
Sorry to be so negative but there it is.
Regards
K
Unfortunately, no amount of money can buy time.
Exactly Kym.
The time to get this right was 5 to 10 years ago.
Correct.
The two best times to get things right are 10 years ago or now. What we need now that is totally missing is a sense of urgency and the realisation that we no longer have the luxury of chosing the absolute best gold plated equipment. We have to get whatever we can get as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately, that’s not the position of either the government or the opposition. To describe them as complacent is a massive understatement.
Thank you for the Podcast and welcome back. Firstly I’m not in total agreement with your wish list. I think the LHD idea can be put on the back burner for a while, Operating a Carrier involves a bit more than just having them. The Corvettes idea is something that has become a must have as has forming an Industry Partnership with Sth Korea. I also believe a Naval Base at Exmouth and perhaps another in Broome should be built as well as a more active presence at RAAF Learmonth, Curtin and Scherger, a rotation of Reservists through these Base ( perhaps a 3week tour) would alleviate the manning problem as well as boost the Reservists knowledge. UAV, USV And AUV technology needs to implemented NOW, time has passed for exploration into the Capacity. Proven systems are available we need to get them ( build them is better) the concept of working in unison with the U.S. should not be totally thrown out but the real world concept of we may be on our own needs to be implemented. No more talk about sovereignty, time to start doing something. Plenty of Australian Companies, start supporting them, not just with grants and back slapping, start buying…..
First step for me would be to announce selection of the new GPF as soon as the election is completed. Another program I would strongly consider becoming involved with is the British/Italian/Japanese GCAP. We need to get in on the ground floor with this program.
Agree we should replace the Hawk trainer ASAP. War breaks out you will need pilots and you wouldn’t want to have to rely on a smallish number of aged jet trainers in that situation. I agree South Korea is in the best position to deliver these quickly.
I also agree we should be co-operating with the Koreans on communication satellites as well. Australia has a number of autonomous programs underway at the moment with very few hard orders. Accelerate those programs even more and start placing orders.
I wish more people in the Defence ecosystem shared your views (and mine).
Welcome back, Kym.
Thanks for the podcast.
My two cents:
1. Cancel LOTE on Collins and purchase three Taigei-class boats from MHI from the existing design and begin joining crewing operations out of Fleet Base West.
2. Cancel the Virginia acquisition and redirect resources to the revised UK AUKUS timeline with an option to abandon in three years.
3. Contract to construct 3/3 evolved Taigei class at Osborne.
4. Ink the Future Frigate deal on 5 May.
5. Load the six Arafura-class ships with enough fuel to sail them to Sweden and give SAAB the job of embedding the systems and sensors configuration they have built for the Visby class LOTE. This buys the RAN critical capability coverage while the Future Frigate builds momentum. Different weapons systems might carry some overheads, but it also gives the ADF a chance to tap into different development and production cycles. Given where this industry is at currently, this can only be positive.
6. Reestablish the original Hanwha production runs for the Redback and the Huntsman projects.
All of those are good ideas.