HMAS Perth
Posted on 08/04/2015 6:01:23 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Australia on Tuesday announced a A$89 billion (US$65 billion) shipbuilding package to construct new frigates and patrol boats locally, with a decision on an international supplier for replacement submarines made “in coming months”.
The “continuous shipbuilding” proposal, which involves the replacement of frigates, patrol boats and submarines over two decades, is expected by the government to keep up to 2,500 jobs in the sector in what Prime Minister Tony Abbott said was “a very historic announcement”.
“Previous Australian governments have announced that individual ships or classes of ships will be built here in Australia,” Abbott said at a press conference.
“What we are announcing today is basically a fleet build here in Australia, centred on [South Australia].”
Abbott would not give new details about the ongoing search for an international supplier to design and build the nation’s next generation of submarines to replace its ageing diesel and electric-powered Collins Class fleet, which are set to be retired from about 2026 onwards.
France, Germany and Japan are in the running for the contract, which has been touted as Australia’s biggest-ever defence procurement programme with cost estimates of A$50 billion.
But the bidding process has been a source of contention in Australia amid concerns the domestic shipbuilding industry could be fatally hurt if Canberra chooses to buy off-the-shelf submarines internationally.
“What we have asked the various potential partners to give us is a price for a domestic build, a hybrid build and offshore build,” Abbott said.
“Based on what comes back to us in the coming months, we’ll make a decision.”
The shipbuilding package will bring forward the “Future Frigate” programme to replace the current ANZAC class frigates to 2020. The construction of offshore patrol vessels to replace the Armidale class has also been moved forward to 2018.
(Excerpt) Read more at scmp.com ...
HMAS Perth
Good for them.
I fear that Australia and New Zeeland will be the last refuges for the western world and keeping the barbarians out will be easier when you are on an island and you have a good navy.
Arm up.
America will no longer guard anyone.
Lucky that most civilians in both places are well armed and trained in the use of................. Oh. I forgot. Not much refuge since their mils are not that large and common folks aren’t allowed to defend themselves. Too dangerous.
We won’t even protect our own borders. God help anyone dumb enough to rely on us for protection.
Australia used to even have a Battlecruiser back in WWI.
Good point.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.