Suffice it to say that the Aussie's have gotten a steal of a deal. In one 'cheap' (think about it...this ship is the cost of a brand new F-15), well conceived purchase, they've doubled their amphibious capability...and with two Canberra Class LHD's coming online they're becoming a major player in the Pacific (as if they weren't already).
The only thing left to do is form a Marine Corps! Read the whole thing but this is the gist of the article...
Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that Australia has been successful in its bid to acquire the United Kingdom’s Bay Class amphibious ship Largs Bay.
The Government has previously announced that it had asked Defence to develop new and comprehensive options to ensure transition to Australia’s Canberra Class amphibious Landing Helicopter Dock ships, which become operational from 2014, including the lease or purchase of a Bay Class Ship from the UK Government.
Today, the Government is confirming that Australia has been successful in its bid to acquire a Bay Class ship, Largs Bay.
Largs Bay is a Landing Ship Dock (LSD) which was commissioned into service in 2006. It became surplus to United Kingdom (UK) requirements as a result of the UK Government’s 2010 Defence Strategic Review.
The ship weighs 16,000 tonnes. It is 176 metres long and 26 metres wide. Its flight deck has room for two large helicopters and can also carry around 150 light trucks and 350 troops. Its cargo capacity is the equivalent of the Royal Australian Navy’s entire amphibious fleet.
Largs Bay is a proven capability having provided humanitarian relief as part of the international response to the Haiti earthquake in 2010.
Largs Bay will help ensure that the Royal Australian Navy has the amphibious capability it needs for operation and humanitarian support in our region in the period leading up to the arrival of the Landing Helicopter Dock Ships.
The ship has been acquired for £65 million (approximately $100 million).
So the Aussies are becoming major players for acquiring an LSD and 2 LHDs? And yet the UK is no longer a major player? Perhaps a look at what the UK fleet still possesses is in order.
ReplyDeleteyou're just mad because they got it for basically nothing! no seriously.
ReplyDeleteyou're not getting my critique of the UK defense policy. they're always stood (i'm saying this for the 50th time) ready and able to deploy and fight.
that tradition is in jeopardy because of choices made now. oh and the more i read the more it seems that it isn't to save money but to shift funds to the NHS!
I think the Aussies ALSO realize the value that an LSD(A) can be to HA/DR missions at a fraction of the cost of larger amphibs. Something the USN should realize but can't accept.
ReplyDeleteI bet the Canadians wish they had jumped on this deal earlier too?
well as i said before, australia is seeing enemies around it (notably china and possibly in the future India), Australia has reasons to build up their military, UK doesnt.
ReplyDeleteI still don't see any reason why the RAN specifically needs a Marine Corps over its current Army.
ReplyDeleteThe problems inherent to operations from the sea have slowly vanished with the advent of helicopters and superior amphibious fighting vehicles. Its not like Army forces have not been used in an amphibious operations before (Normandy for one but also in New Guinea and the Philippines).
You know there are countries which have joint forces and no Marines, the Canadian Defense Force comes to mind?
ReplyDeleteYou know #2 the LSD(A)s have been used by Britain more for HA/DR adn ohter "soft power" missions then for amphib support.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI am angry.
Angry they paid so little for it.
These ships cost an average of £150 Million/$240 Million only 4 years ago.
Lots of countries are looking for similar vessels.
How on earth did it manage to go for less than £100 Million?
She should be in near perfect condition.
This is one purchase they can't mess up.
Does anyone know if they are getting the landing craft and Mexefloats to go with it?
I hope so given Australia's recent history with new landing craft designs.
Well done Australia,she will serve you well.
GrandLogistics.
waiting on your post on this one Grand Logistics.
ReplyDeletefrom what i've read they get the whole kit and kaboodle. what kills me too is that they for all intents and purposes gave the ship away. 100 million dollars is laughable when it comes to international commerce...especially when it comes to buying 1st rate warships.
this was a gift.
Maybe the Brits wanted to make sure the Argentinians wouldn't buy it.
ReplyDeletehaving bought used ships for the USN, I am not surprised at the heavily discounted purchase price. There may be some other extras not reported? Like spares and associated equipment (landing craft come to mind), conversion engineering, life cycle M&R support. Those can add up and may be ancilary to the purchase?
ReplyDelete