rickusn

Australia's Next Generation Air Warfare Destroyer

Canberra June 20, 2007 - Australia ’s maritime air warfare capability has reached a significant milestone today with the Government’s selection of the Navantia designed F100 as the next generation Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

At a cost of nearly $8 billion, and subject to successful contract negotiations, Navantia will work with the AWD Alliance (Defence Materiel Organization, ASC and Raytheon Australia ) to deliver three AWDs to the Royal Australian Navy.

The first of these Air Warfare Destroyers will be delivered in late 2014, followed by the second and third ships in early-2016 and mid-2017 respectively.

The Australianized F100 AWD Design is capable across the full spectrum of joint maritime operations, from area air defense and escort duties, right through to peacetime national tasking and diplomatic missions. The Royal Australian Navy will undergo a quantum leap in its air warfare capability when the F100 enters service.

Since entering service with the Spanish Navy, F100s, among their many other tasks, have worked alongside the United States Navy (USN) as the first foreign Aegis equipped ship to be fully integrated into a USN Carrier Strike Group and has successfully been deployed as the flagship of NATO’s Maritime Group Standing Reaction Force.

While the selection of the platform is a significant milestone for the AWD Program, the work undertaken to date has demonstrated the value of the selection of the Aegis Combat System in 2004 as the central element of the AWD’s war-fighting capabilities.

This decision ensured the Navy is armed with the world’s most capable air warfare system, is interoperable with key coalition partners and can access the updates and technical support offered by the US and other in-service navies.

More than 300 highly-skilled AWD Alliance staff have been working on the development of two designs for Government consideration since 2005.

The selection of the F100 follows two years of detailed research and simulation to determine the best ship to meet the needs of the Australian Defence Force through to the middle of this century.

The F100 has been developed with modern accommodation requirements in mind and has a crew of around 200. It also provides the Navy with a growth path to accommodate tomorrow’s naval warfare technologies.

In selecting the F100, the Government has ensured the Navy will take delivery of an Aegis equipped AWD before any potential maritime air warfare capability gap eventuates.

The F100 is an existing design that is in service with the Spanish Navy. This substantially reduces the cost and schedule risks traditionally associated with a project of this size and complexity.

The Government would like to thank ASC and Raytheon Australia for their achievements as members of the AWD Alliance. ASC and Raytheon Australia have worked closely with the DMO to deliver the two costed capability options to government and will continue to play a critical role in delivering the capability to the Navy. Raytheon Australia has been confirmed as the mission systems integrator for the Air Warfare Destroyer. Raytheon Australia will be contracted to complete the design, development and procurement of the Australianized Combat System.

The Government would also like to thank both Navantia and Gibbs & Cox (designer of the Evolved Option) for their efforts in developing two very capable designs for consideration. Gibbs & Cox and the members of the Alliance ’s Evolved design team should take great pride in what they have achieved over the past two years.

In 2003, the Government developed, endorsed and implemented the recommendations of the Kinnaird Defence Procurement Review. The AWD Program has demonstrated the value of these reforms by delivering to Government robust capability, cost, schedule and risk data for government consideration at Second Pass.

The AWD Alliance has been assisted by a number of Australian and international organizations including the RAN, the Defence Science and Technology Organization, BMT Australia (formerly British Maritime Technology) and First Marine International.

The project will shortly move into the Build Phase which will give Australian Industry the opportunity to become involved in the most complex Defence acquisition ever undertaken in Australia . Work conducted by the AWD Alliance was able to determine little difference in the level of Australian Industry involvement between the two options.

The Government’s decision to build the AWDs in Australia will ensure significant levels of Australian Industry involvement in both construction and through life support.

Australian Industry will deliver products and services for around 55 per cent of the $6.6 billion AWD Program over the next 15 years which will be followed by high value through life support contracts into the middle of the century.

While Adelaide based ASC will conduct the final assembly of the AWDs, around 70 per cent of the ship modules will be built at other shipbuilding sites around Australia , potentially including sites in Western Australia , Queensland , New South Wales , Victoria and Tasmania .

The AWD Program will eventually employ around 3,000 Australians in a variety of engineering and related fields working for a range of companies and suppliers throughout Australia .

The Government recognizes the important work of the AWD Program’s Probity Advisors, Sir Laurence Street and the Australian Government Solicitor, in ensuring the AWD Program is conducted in a fair and equitable manner.


Navy unveils $11b warship contract
Posted June 20, 2007 10:09:00
Updated June 20, 2007 14:06:00


Air warfare: A Spanish F100 on a visit to Woolloomooloo Bay in Sydney (AFP: Anoek de Groot)

Map: Adelaide 5000
Five new Royal Australian Navy warships will be built by defence contractors in Adelaide and Melbourne in partnership with the Spanish company Navantia.

Three F100 Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD) and two amphibious landing ships will be built in an $11 billion contract which is expected to create around 2,000 new jobs through the firms ASC and Tenix.

"The Royal Australian Navy will undergo a quantum leap in its air warfare capability when the F100 enters service," the Defence Department said in a statement.

The first F100 will be delivered in 2014, with the second and third ships arriving in 2016 and 2017.

"They are very significant decisions for the future combat capability of the Royal Australian Navy," said Prime Minister John Howard.

"They represent a very long term investment in the future defence capability of this country."

Mr Howard says the ships will serve the country for decades.

"This decision will enhance our capability for years into the future, particularly - but not only - in our part of the world".

The F100 can be used for joint maritime operations from area air defence and escort duties through to peacetime diplomatic missions.

Capable of landing more than 1,000 personnel, the transporters will also be used in response to natural disasters.

South Australian Premier Mike Rann has welcomed the employment opportunities.

"We believe that the Spanish design offers enormous opportunities for a fourth ship rather than just three ships," Mr Rann said.

"We'll be certainly very strongly supporting the Federal Government making the decision for a fourth ship to be built, which of course will bring even more benefits to SA."

Victorian Industry Minister Theo Theophanous says the deal will provide a significant boost to the state's ship building industry.

"We've been working on this for a long time and we're very pleased that the Government has made the right decision for the right ship for the Navy," he said.

"It's a very large ship, it's a winning design. It will be the biggest Navy ship ever built in Australia."

The Navy failed to convince the Government to support a rival American bid for the destroyers.

Arleigh Burke's design was favoured by the Navy, but was beaten by Navantia.

The executive director of the Australia Defence Association, Neil James, says the US destroyer is superior but the Government's decision is understandable.

"There's no doubt that on paper the American ship was a better ship," he said.

"The problem is, of course, it's on paper whereas the Spanish one you can see and you can touch and you can stand on the deck.

"Also, to an extent, it's cheaper and you may be able to get a fourth destroyer for pretty much the same money."

Dectilion

one article says 8billion, the other says 11billion, which is it? secondly, thats an absolutely ridiculous price for just three escorts. in the 11 billion dollar range, they could buy two Royal Navy CVF's instead!!

gunnut

Are the Burkes offered to the RAN different than the standard Burkes we use? If anything, there are more Burkes in service than F100s.

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-{SpoonmaN}-

Yeah, they are, the design offered was enlarged and somewhat upgraded. Which I'm sure meant it was stupendously expensive. It would also entail a larger crew which I think is a concern for the RAN since they're rather short handed these days. Probably because our idea of contributing to a Coalition is to send a few RAN ships and park them in the middle of the USN, and hope that everyone appreciates the help. It leaves them pretty overworked.

And that's 11bn Australian dollars. The CVFs are costed in pounds, and at 2.4 pounds to the dollar, the difference is rather marked.
That, and the MoD has had a real problem with burning huge amounts of money on aquisitions that amount to pretty much nothing, which is why we make purchases like a "fleet" of 59 tanks for the Army, or 4 C-17s for the RAAF. Because we spent so much money working out what we were going to buy, that we didnt have enough money left to buy it. And then it doesnt arrive until we've realised it's not up to scratch. And then Labour gets in and cuts the budget.

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VarSity

$11billion? That's still £4.5billion Sterling, or like $9billion US Dollars isn't it? That's one HELL of alot of just 3 ships. (my math's might be wrong)

how much are these compared to the Type 45? Are there major differences in the operational capabilities?

Galrahn

Your math is wrong.

The 11 billion Australian (9.3 US) is for 3 F-105+ variants of the F-100 and 2 LHD variants of the Spanish BPE.

In the end they are getting the LHDs for about 3.0 billion (Australian) each and the remaining 3 AWDs for about 1.6 billion (Australian ) each.

It comes out to two 27,000+ ton LHDs for 2.5 billion US and 3 AWDs for 1.35 billion US. It is hard to say that is a bad deal with a new AB goes for 2.4 billion US and the 24,000+ ton LPD-17 (not a dedicated aviation platform) goes for 1.7 billion US. The LHDs will be the largest amphibious ships in the world outside the US.

More at my blog.

Jay

Wah, whats with Australia and NZ, they are looking for Amphibious ships, something is happening in that region? China? Indonesia??

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Galrahn

haha. It isn't exclusive to the south pacific.

The upgrading of Expeditionary capability is happening all over the world, particularly with large platforms with aviation for forcible entry capabilities. The US has gone a completely different direction with the Sea Base, which is not forcible entry capable.

gunnut

It looks like a trend similar to the old gunboat diplomacy in the 19th century.

Back then, the ultimate power projection tool was the battleship.

Today, it's transformed into a naval expeditionary force package complete with organic air cover.

The rise of another colonialism?

rickusn

"The 11 billion Australian (9.3 US) is for 3 F-105+ variants of the F-100 and 2 LHD variants of the Spanish BPE.
It comes out to two 27,000+ ton LHDs for 2.5 billion US and 3 AWDs for 1.35 billion US."

Im not sure I understand where you come up with 1.35.

My calculator says:

9.3 minus 2.5 = 6.8 divided by 3 = approx 2.3

Or do you mean each LHD is 2.5.

But that doesnt jibe either because 3b Aus is for two LHD and 8B Aus is for three F-100.

"And in another win for Spain, the Australian navy will be equipped with two 27,000 tonne Navantia landing ships at a cost of about A$3 billion."

"At a cost of nearly $8 billion, and subject to successful contract negotiations, Navantia will work with the AWD Alliance (Defence Materiel Organization, ASC and Raytheon Australia ) to deliver three AWDs to the Royal Australian Navy. "

And what about this from another article?

"Mr Howard said the navy would be equipped with three Navantia F100 air warfare destroyers worth a total of A$8 billion ($9.02 billion)."

Which would make them 3b a pop if correct.

What am I not understanding?????????????

BTW Great blog.

Parihaka

Effectively yes. We've been seen as being under Americas wing, and as such, if you wish to deal with us, you deal with America.
This is part of a co-ordinated move (ANZ) to provide a small but very credible threat all on our lonesome.

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Dectilion

if they were doing that, i think nz might, i don't know, maybe try getting SOME fixed-wing combat aircraft.

also, what does everyone think is the possibility of Australia using jsf"s on these new ships. Or do you think they'll redesign them to make that impossible(remove ski-ramp, etc.)

Parihaka

What exactly would we want those for?

Dectilion

you answered that question yourself,


as "part of a co-ordinated move (ANZ) to provide a small but very credible threat all on our lonesome"

Galrahn

3 billion (Australian) each, sorry. The price was revised up ahead of the bid, a novel idea the US should try, because the Aussies unlike our US Navy believe the program is less likely to get killed if the price is right up front, even if it is high.

LHD = ~3 billion Australian = ~2.5 billion US
ADW = ~1.6 billion Australian = ~1.35 billion US

Includes about ~.5 billion Australian in support costs.

Comes up to 9.3 billion Australian, or 9.3 billion US.

These were estimates I got from an Australian source, not sure of their accuracy, but they matched a 9.3 billion US number I found online that I linked to in my blog.

I could be wrong, we will know for sure soon anyway, but Tenix did say the cost of the LHD would run between 2.5 and 3.0 billion Australian, and the RAN did announce ahead of time they intended to go with the high number to insure they don't have to go back and ask for more money.