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From the Magazine: Navy surface fleet facing a worrying fall in numbers later this decade
To the presumed delight of the government, the immediate reporting of its response to the review of the RAN surface fleet, released on February 20 was positive, talking about a doubling of ship numbers. However, even a cursory review of the timetable suggests that this effect will only be achieved in the midto late-2030s. In the near-term, fleet numbers shrink. Titled ‘Enhanced Lethality Surface Combatant Fleet’, its analysis is weakened by leaving out of the equation forthcoming platform upgrades and maintenance activities that will have an important impact on availability from at least 2026. These include: Hobart class Air Warfare Destroyer midlife upgrades. These will begin in 2026 and will take at least two years, possibly longer for the first ship. There are three Hobart class, so until about 2033 only a maximum of two will be available at any one time; Anzac class frigates. Of the current eight in service, two will be retired immediately. The remaining six will be upgraded presumably one at a time. This means that, optimistically, five will remain available with the caveat that they are old platforms; Since the Arafura class have been stripped of their weapons by the RAN, their initial small but important contribution to the surface fleet has been deliberately downgraded to zero; Even though the focus is on the surface fleet, it is important to remember that the Collins class submarines are also starting their Life of Type Extension (LOTE) program in 2026. Each boat is scheduled to be out of the water for two years, but it would come as no surprise if the first one was unavailable for three years or more. Submarines are notorious for being much more difficult to overhaul than planned because it is only when they are fully opened up that the extent of the corrosion, wear & tear, and damage becomes apparent. This is an excerpt from APDR. To read the full story, click here. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]
TAGSAPDRRANsurface fleet
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Kym Bergmannhttps://asiapacificdefencereporter.com/
Kym Bergmann has more than 35 years of experience in journalism and Australian and international defence industry. After graduating with Honors from the Australian National University, he joined Capital 7 television, holding several positions including foreign news editor and chief political correspondent.
After 2 years on the staff of a Federal Minister, he moved to the defence sector and held senior positions in several companies, including Blohm+Voss, Thales, Celsius and Saab. In 1997 he was one of 2 Australians selected for the Thomson CSF 'Preparation for Senior Management' MBA course, the other being Chris Jenkins - formerly the CEO of Thales Australia.
He has also worked as a consultant for a number of companies, including Raytheon, Tenix (now part of BAES) and Martin Marrietta (now part of Lockheed Martin). He had several board appointments, including Thomson Sintra Pacific (1994 - 96) and Saab Pacific (1998 - 2003).
He retains good personal links with senior figures in Government, as well as in industry and the media. He decided to return to journalism in May 2008, and holds the position of editor for Asia Pacific Defence Reporter (APDR) and Defence Review Asia (DRA). He is also a podcaster and commentator on defence and national security issues.