TYPE 2400-PATROL SUBMARINEON THE SURFACETHEY APPEARIDENTICALDeep down, you'll find the differences.Because inside the new hull, VSEL's Type2400-Patrol class submarine can bematched exactly to your operationalrequirements.A totally new design, silent in operationand with a capability well in advance <strong>of</strong>other diesel electrics, the Type 2400concept is flexible enough to accommodatewidely-varying internal specifications.Machinery, equipment, armament andsensors can all be matched to specificroles VSEL's ultra-modern 24 acre warshipsite will be able to handle anything from aminor modification to a complete custombuild. <strong>The</strong> very latest production technologyand build strategies are on call.Far from being a "paper boat", theType 2400 is already on stream. Four areon order from the Royal <strong>Navy</strong> and the first<strong>of</strong> these went in the water on 2 December,1986VSELVidian Shipbuilding a Engineering LimitedCammell Laird Shipbuilder* LimitedWarship Design Services LimitedBarrow-in-Furness Cumbria LAI 4 1AF EnglandTelephone (0229)23366 Telex 65411 VSEL GFax: 0229 23366-4: - , * : • • • •SEEINGA COURSEFor many years the "defence" objectives <strong>of</strong>the <strong>Navy</strong> <strong>League</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Australia</strong> have beencontained in a single paragraph:"To keep before the <strong>Australia</strong>n people the fact that we area maritime notion and that a strong Nauy and a soundrelatively free peoplemaritime industry are indispensible elements <strong>of</strong> our nationalwell-being and vital to the freedom <strong>of</strong> <strong>Australia</strong>",IOMPTED by publication <strong>of</strong> MT Paul Dibb's Review <strong>of</strong> <strong>Australia</strong>'sdefence capabilities and th« subsequent public discussion, theFFederal Council <strong>of</strong> the <strong>League</strong> decided there was a need for Its•>••••>I ives to be spelled out in greater detail so that all concerned with thecountry's maritime well being knew where the <strong>Navy</strong> <strong>League</strong> stood inregard 10 a variety <strong>of</strong> matters<strong>The</strong> <strong>Navy</strong> <strong>League</strong> is no fly-by-night organisation With a historystretching back nearly one hundred years, it has raised and spent tens <strong>of</strong>thousands <strong>of</strong> dollars on sea training facilities for young <strong>Australia</strong>ns, it isone <strong>of</strong> the very few privately-funded organisations to study maritimedefence issues and for many years it has kept a watchful eye on the state<strong>of</strong> the navy, quite <strong>of</strong>ten drawing attention to deficienciesWith a diverse membership — nearly all the many pans that togetherform the maritime community are represented by members with extensiveexperience in their own spheres, including the highest <strong>of</strong>fices in theDefence Korce — the <strong>Navy</strong> <strong>League</strong> is well-placed to observe andcomment, from time to time, on many aspects <strong>of</strong> our country's maritimesituationTHE NAVY LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIAFEOCRAL COUNCILPatron In Chltt: His EiCe*enCy. T M Governor GeneralPresident; f Ge<strong>of</strong>frey Evans. OOt VROViee-Presldenta: Rear Admiral A J Robertson, AO DSC RAN
<strong>The</strong> helicopter-landing deck onthe siern <strong>of</strong> HMAS STALWART, thedestroyer tender, which at presentserves as the flagship <strong>of</strong> the RAN,provided an appropriate venue inSydney on 20th January, <strong>1987</strong>, forone <strong>of</strong> the most significant defenceannouncements <strong>of</strong> recent years,made by the Minister <strong>of</strong> Defence, MrKim Beazley.BE FOR F a gathering ol media representslives, and flanked by the Chief <strong>of</strong> NavalStaff Vic-,- Admiral Hudson and theFleet Commander with warships alongside, ensigns fluttering in the breeze the Ministei slatedthai the Government lias initiated the largestNaval shipbuilding programme in <strong>Australia</strong>'speacetime history by inviting companies fromaround the world to submit established designsfor a new class <strong>of</strong> eight light patrol frigates forthe Royal <strong>Australia</strong>n <strong>Navy</strong>Of equal, if not greater significance was hisstatement that these new ships, costing around$3 '-> billion will dramatically increase the sizeand capability <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Navy</strong>'s planned surfacefleet from 12 to 17 major warshipsMr Beazley went on to state that the hugeprojects reflects the Government's commitmentto the vital role <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Navy</strong> in our defence, andthe need to equip the <strong>Navy</strong> to meet that role, incon)unction with other elements <strong>of</strong> the Austral.an Defence Force with a sufficient number<strong>of</strong> high quality ships to deal with possiblemilitary situations in separate locationssimultaneouslyAll eight ships will be built in <strong>Australia</strong>, maybein mote than one yard, and based on an eslablished ship design probably European, to bedeveloped to meet Aust.alias specific requirementsAn <strong>Australia</strong>n company will be chosen as thepnme contractor and there will be maximum<strong>Australia</strong>). -)u«try involvement in alt phases <strong>of</strong>the project<strong>The</strong> first ships will be delivered in the early tomtd-1990s — a timescale made possible byusing an established designTHE Minister stated that these ships willneed to meet the requirements identifiedby <strong>Navy</strong> and by the Dibb Revtew folarge numbers <strong>of</strong> fast, long range, capable shipsto operate throughout our region <strong>The</strong>y wouldhave a desirable range <strong>of</strong> 6.000 nautical milesat 18 knots, a speed <strong>of</strong> at least 27 knots and ahangar and deck for the <strong>Navy</strong>'s Seahawk hehcopter<strong>The</strong> primary role <strong>of</strong> these vessels is to be"Patrol and surveillance in <strong>Australia</strong>'s area <strong>of</strong>military interest.' and they are to have "baselinecapabilities'' including, in addition to thehelicopter, a medium calibre gun <strong>of</strong> 76 mm orlarger, radar and electronic detection systems, ashort range surface-to-air missile system, antisubmarinesystems, and a modern modulartypeCombat Data System to provide coordinationwithin the ship and with friendlyforcesOptions will also be considered for makingprovision for later fitting <strong>of</strong> ship-launched torpedoesand Harpoon missiles Information hasbeen sought for making allowance for the fitting<strong>of</strong> a close-in weapons system for defenceagainst anti-ship missiles, a towed-array sonarsystem, an active decoy system, and anenhanced air surveillance radar capability.MAJORNAVAL SHIPBUILDINGPROGRAMMEheduled for replacement River class destroyer escorts <strong>of</strong> the RANby ANDREW ROBERTSON, RAOM, RAN [Rtd]Vice President, <strong>Navy</strong> <strong>League</strong> <strong>of</strong>though it is not clear whether these are to befitted initially or notMr Beazley slated that the project <strong>of</strong>fers goodpotential for increasing defence co operationwith New Zealand, as the New Zealand <strong>Navy</strong>has a need for simitar ships<strong>The</strong> Minister indicated that the great ost <strong>of</strong>the programme could be covered within presentlevels <strong>of</strong> defence spending provided such levelswere maintained Present expenditure oncapital equipment was about $2 5 billion yearlyThis new buy would be spread out over 10years, and it could be accommodatedNAVY was <strong>of</strong>fering salvation to <strong>Australia</strong>nshipbuilding as this project would giveone or two yards effectively a decade <strong>of</strong>He expected the vessels would be <strong>of</strong><strong>Australia</strong>workabout 2.500 to 3.000 tonnes displacement<strong>The</strong> short list <strong>of</strong> contenders should be established by mid <strong>1987</strong><strong>The</strong> Minister agreed with a questioner thatthese ships would give the <strong>Navy</strong> a substantialincrease in capability to operate in the SouthWest Pacific<strong>The</strong> decision announced by the Ministerrepresents a milestone <strong>of</strong> great significance inthe development <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Australia</strong>n DefenceFo'ce to meet the changing strategic circumstances<strong>of</strong> the latter part <strong>of</strong> this decade and the1990s, and will provide future governmentswith somewhat wider options in meetingdevelopments in our general area <strong>of</strong> interestAn aspect which is likely to cause somedebate m defence circles and. if not altered,bedevil decisions on equipment to be fitted, isthe stated very limited role <strong>of</strong> "Patrol and surveillancein <strong>Australia</strong>'s area <strong>of</strong> military interest"This seems very low key <strong>The</strong>re is no mention<strong>of</strong> sea control, including escort <strong>of</strong> shipping andother essential wartime tasks, foi which theseships will undoubtedly be used, for their verynumbers ensure that they will become the"maids <strong>of</strong> all work" <strong>of</strong> the navy Indeed thedefined role hardly seems to fit with MrBeazley s statement that Ihe project reflects theneed to equip the navy "to deal with possiblemilitary situations'WE are much more dependent onshipping than is generally realised Itdoesn't take an expert to imagine thechaos which would ensue in our industry, inpreparations for our defence, and in oureconomy >f. for instance, attacks on shippingwere to interrupt or stop tankers, nun ore bulkearners, bauxite earners and container shipsfrom interstate or overseas from arriving at ourcapital cities and such ports as Newcastle. PortKembla. Gladstone, and Cockburn Sound (letalone the other 60-odd ports) It is impracticalfor road and rail transport to replace interstateand intra state shipping in the carnage <strong>of</strong> bulkcargoes because <strong>of</strong> the great tonnages involvedIndeed, if distribution by sea tanket <strong>of</strong> fueloils and products were to cease, the trucks andtrains would also soon slop rolling, as refinerieswound down and petrol and diesel pumps driedupDefence <strong>of</strong> essential shipping is thus a vitalelement <strong>of</strong> our security<strong>The</strong> projected Light Patrol Frigates must havea role beyond mere "patrol and surveillance"Few naval commentators will argue againstthe 6.000 nautical mile range or the helicopterPage Four THE NAVY April-June, <strong>1987</strong>requirements, both <strong>of</strong> which are highlydesirable for effective surveillance in our geographic environment <strong>of</strong> huge expanses <strong>of</strong>ocean and great distancesGiven the underwater speed <strong>of</strong> modern submarines,especially those which are nuclearpowered, (here seems however a case for asomewhat higher speed than the 27 knotsminimum top speed specified One regionalpower already has nuclear-powered submarinesand another is reported to be obtaining themI mi! other nations operate such vessels in theIndian and Pacific Oceans More could join theclub during the 30 odd year life <strong>of</strong> these LightPatrol FrigatesHILE it is early days in the projectand there are many decisions to beW made, it seems strange that theannounced baseline capabilities for these shipsare to be so rudimentary, and that later fitting <strong>of</strong>such important armaments as Harpoon missilesand ship launched torpedoes should be considered as "an option' If these vessels commission without such types <strong>of</strong> weaponry, they (likeour Fremantle Class Patrol Boats) will be themost poorly equipped ships <strong>of</strong> their type in theIndian or Pacific oceans Indeed they will bemore like coastguard vessels than warshipscapable ol facing possible military situations"Of course, there are those who argue thatrequired systems can be fitted when the situation deteriorates, but Ihe practical scene is quitedifferent Time <strong>of</strong> rising crisis is precisely thetime when the ships cannot be spared, theneeded systems may not be available, the leadtime for acquisition is likely to be long,dockyard effort to fit them is not likely to be onhand, and the erews will not be trained Inpractice, as has almost always been the case.our ships will have to fight with what they havegotOne curious omission from the baseline capabilities,though included in possible additionalcapabilities, is a comprehensive anti-missile fitMost attacks on warships these days are likelyto end up as missile attacks, whether launchedfrom submarines, surface vessels or aircraft Wemust not send our sailors out on military roles inthe 1990s without such basic modern defenceequipment nor should we risk such valuableand expensive ships by nol equipping themwith effective sell defence systemsAnother surprising feature is the apparentacceptance <strong>of</strong> a gun <strong>of</strong> perhaps 76 mm sizeEvery war in which we have been eigagedsince the founding <strong>of</strong> the RAN has involved ourships in inshore warfare, particularly in theisland areas with which our region aboundsBombardment <strong>of</strong> shore targets and support <strong>of</strong>the army or naval landing parties have alwaysbeen prominent rotes and it is well proven thata gun <strong>of</strong> 76 mm sue is not only too small, but itsshort range exposes the ship to unacceptablerisk due to the necessity to gel too close to thetarget to ensure effectiveness Most army tanks*nd artillery could outrange such an illequippedvessel should it close an enemyoccupiedshoreMAYBE the stated role und the outline <strong>of</strong>baseline ship capabilities has been defined to suit New Zealand requirementswhich under their current political guidanceseem to favour coast-guard type vessels<strong>The</strong>re has also been speculation that it is amove to placate left wing elements <strong>of</strong> our ownpolitical scene, who seem to desire a very lowpr<strong>of</strong>ile for our defence forceApril-June, <strong>1987</strong>Be that as it may. we cannot put at risk oursailors and our ships must be well-armed (tornthe start <strong>The</strong>y will have a tough enough timewith uncertain, or no. air-support, and It will benothing short <strong>of</strong> irresponsible to send them tosea without comprehensive armamentCommon sense must in the long run prevail, forif it doesn't we will be lucky to get the crews toman themWhile the importance <strong>of</strong> the decision, ins<strong>of</strong>aras it increases the ship numbers in the navy,should not be underestimated, it is equallyimportant that the military significance <strong>of</strong>individual ships should not be overemphasisedF.ven if the frigates are finally equipped withall the "additional capabilities" the navy desires,they remain "frigates" — vessels at the lowerend <strong>of</strong> naval capability In the absence <strong>of</strong>supporting integrated air power (particularlylong range strike and fighter aircraft) in someform <strong>of</strong> aircraft-carrying ship they will remain atrisk in many naval situations, and limited inrolesIn naval terms, compared with some othertypes ol warships, their deterrent and "flagshowing"value is modest One has only to lookat the long-range arr and missile strike capability<strong>of</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> nations in the Indian and Pacificoceans to see that the RAN will remain outclassedby the navies <strong>of</strong> most regional powers<strong>The</strong> scene improves somewhat when air covercan be provided by our FA 18s. bul only withinabout 400 nautical miles <strong>of</strong> established airbases And. <strong>of</strong> course, the projected new submarineswill in due course add considerably to•jur naval deterrent capability — but on presentplans there will only be six <strong>of</strong> them, goodthough they may be (China has over 100 andIndia and Japan are reported to be building upto 20 or more each)<strong>The</strong>se aspects apart, and though the navyhas a long way to go before it again reaches thecapability appropriate to a nation in our geoTHE NAVYgraphic and trading situation, the Governmenthas taken a major step towards defence selfreliance<strong>The</strong> decision can be seen to involve threemajor moves extending well beyond the <strong>Navy</strong>itself:Firstly, it will be seen as a signal to our friendsand allies, and to others, that <strong>Australia</strong> will becapable <strong>of</strong> taking a somewhat larger role in thesecurity <strong>of</strong> not only Its own waters, but <strong>of</strong> thosein the South West Pacific and adjacent IndianOcean areas which are so important to our, andtheir, securitySecondly, it indicates a firm commitment t<strong>of</strong>ollow up the now-recognised need for a twooceannavy with action to support that conceptAnd lastly, the decision, if pursued t<strong>of</strong>ruition, could well be a water-shed for our shipbuildingindustry and for defence industry as awhole <strong>The</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> a minimum <strong>of</strong> eightships (mo;e if New Zealand joins in), which Isdouble the number <strong>of</strong> advanced warships everordered initially before, ensures reasonableproduction runs for local firms tendering forcontracts, and the size <strong>of</strong> the programme —spread over several years — gives someassurance <strong>of</strong> continuity in naval shipbuildingorders, for. by the time the project is finishedthere wilt almost certainly be a necessity toreplace other vessels, including the GuidedMissile Destroyers ol the "Perth" classTaken with the coming submarine construetion programme, the two Frigates now beingbuilt at 'Viltiamstown in Victoria, the 10 PactftcPatrol Boats building in Western <strong>Australia</strong>: andthe Mine-Counter-Measures Vessels being constructedat Newcastle. NSW, it is clear that thislatest major naval construction programme wilt,in due course, have a most important impact,not only on our capability for defence, but alsoon industry, employment, balance <strong>of</strong> paymentsand our International standing18V COUHTESV OF THE PACIFIC DEFENCEREPORTER)PaotFlv*
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