FROM THE CROW’S NEST<strong>The</strong>mistoclesTHE YEAR OF THE AIRCRAFT CARRIERThis year has been a big year for the aircraft carrier in many navies aroundthe world with contracts, launches, commissionings, decommissioningsand operations.It started with the signing <strong>of</strong> an agreement between France and Russia fortwo 21,000 tonne French Mistral class multipurpose LHDs. <strong>The</strong>se shipswill represent a quantum leap for Russia’s amphibious warfare capability,with the potential for at least three more.In February the 26,000 tonne multipurpose LHD, CANBERRA, waslaunched for the RAN in Spain. While the keel <strong>of</strong> ADELAIDE, the RAN’ssecond LHD, was laid down almost immediately after.In the US the first steel was cut for the new 101,000 tonne Gerald R. Fordclass aircraft carrier, USS JOHN F. KENNEDY for the USN.In March the new 44,750 tonne Indian aircraft carrier VIKRAMADITYA (exSoviet Kiev class carrier ADMIRAL GORSHKOV) started its harbour trials.VIKRAMADITYA has been modified with arrestor gear and a ski jump toallow for STOBAR (Short Take Off but Arrested Recovery) operations forup to 24 MiG-29K fighters. <strong>The</strong> carrier is expected to start sea trials in<strong>No</strong>vember. While India’s second indigenously built 40,000 tonne Project71 carrier INS VISHAL will be laid down this year.In July the French <strong>Navy</strong>’s third Mistral class multipurpose LHD, DIXMUDE,arrived in Toulon for fitting out and the start <strong>of</strong> harbour trials.August saw the long awaited saga <strong>of</strong> the ex-Soviet VARYAG finally cometo an end with the ship completing its reactivation in China and puttingto sea for builders trials as part <strong>of</strong> the People’s Liberation Army – <strong>Navy</strong>(PLA-N). <strong>The</strong> 60,000 tonne ex-Soviet carrier has been renamed SHI-LANG, after the last Chinese General to conquer the island <strong>of</strong> Taiwan.She will embark the formidable Su-33 strike fighter. Her presence in andaround the region may be the start <strong>of</strong> a regional arms race which <strong>Australia</strong>will need to watch carefully.In December India is expected to launch its first indigenously built 40,000tonne project 71 aircraft carrier VIKRANT.<strong>The</strong> ‘odd man out’ in all <strong>of</strong> this, but still contributing to a year <strong>of</strong> aircraftcarrier events, was the UK. March saw the UK decommission its onlystrike carrier HMS ARK ROYAL, after Britain’s entire GR-9 Harrier fleet wasdisbanded to save costs, despite going through a recent expensive andsophisticated upgrade and with over 10 years left in the airframe.In June the UK’s decommissioned aircraft carrier INVINCIBLE, an importantFalklands conflict veteran, was ignominious hauled onto a beach in Turkeyand ripped apart for scrap. While sister ship HMS ILLUSTRIOUS startedher sea trials after a lengthy refit and modernisation, only to face earlydecommissioning in a few years, again to save money.<strong>The</strong> UK’s actions on ARK ROYAL and Harriers, to save costs, ironicallyended up costing more when the UK deployed <strong>of</strong>f the Libyan coast.Instead <strong>of</strong> a carrier to provide on the spot and at call air support to themission, the UK was left with lengthy and expensive transits from theUK by RAF Tornado strike aircraft and expensive deployments to basesin Italy for RAF Typhoon fighters, none <strong>of</strong> which could provide the atcall responsiveness only carrier borne aircraft can. To add insult toinjury the GR-9s’ impressive ground attack capabilities would have beenideal over Libya. Instead the UK took the very risky step <strong>of</strong> using armyattack helicopters as quasi-strike platforms, something they were neverdesigned for.<strong>The</strong> NATO led operation Unified Protector <strong>of</strong>f the Libyan coast alsocontributed to the case for <strong>2011</strong> being the year <strong>of</strong> the aircraft carrier.<strong>The</strong> US Government’s decision not to participate with its 100,000 tonnesuper carriers <strong>of</strong>f Libya meant the operation had to be prosecuted fromthe decks <strong>of</strong> two smaller aircraft carriers and three multipurpose LHD/LPH type vessels. This operational necessity inadvertently signalled thereturn to prominence <strong>of</strong> the small or light fleet carrier concept. <strong>The</strong>sefive vessels provided the bulk <strong>of</strong> NATO capability to enforce a no-fly zone,an arms embargo and provide close air support to rebel fighters on theground.<strong>The</strong> largest aircraft carrier used by NATO was France’s 42,000 tonneCHARLES DE GAULLE. Launching supersonic Rafaels and SuperEtendards it was also the flagship <strong>of</strong> the naval task force.Italy’s 13,000 tonne GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI carrier, the smallest <strong>of</strong> the taskforce, used a force <strong>of</strong> eight Harrier II+ for combat air patrol, strike andclose air support.Three multipurpose amphibious ships also contributed to the campaign;the 40,000 tonne US Wasp class LHD KEARSARGE with its five Harrier II+attack aircraft; the 21,000 tonne French Mistral class multipurpose LHDTONNERRE using Tiger and Gazelle attack helicopters; and the 22,000tonne RN LPH HMS OCEAN using five Apache attack helicopters from theBritish Army.<strong>The</strong> Italian 13,000 tonne light carrier GIUSEPPEGARIBALDI. Despite her size and her eightHarriers she provided an excellent capabilityagainst the Libyan military.However, for the smaller carriers andmultipurpose amphibious ships toperform the tasks they required a fairamount <strong>of</strong> land based air support at thestart <strong>of</strong> the operation. NATO E-3 SentryAirborne Early Warning and ControlAircraft where deployed to managemuch <strong>of</strong> the air campaign. Strikesfrom land based aircraft, such as RAFTornadoes, French Mirage and US F-15EStrike Eagles and A-10 Thunderbolts,did manage to establish the permissiveconditions through strikes on fixed andknown targets that allowed the lowernumber <strong>of</strong> aircraft on the LHDs to performtheir role well and bring victory to therebels.So from the year <strong>of</strong> the aircraft carrierthere are lessons for <strong>Australia</strong>. <strong>The</strong> first isthat the modern multipurpose LHD can domuch more than just taxi an army around.If it were only used in that manner it wouldbe a waste <strong>of</strong> taxpayer’s money. Like its02 THE NAVY VOL. <strong>73</strong> NO. 4
larger aircraft carrier cousins it can be quickly reconfigured for whatevermission is needed by what aircraft it embarks.<strong>Navy</strong> and Army need to expand their ‘doctrine development’ earlier ratherthan later to encompass non-amphibious operations, in order to avoidsituations like like France’s and the UK’s contribution <strong>of</strong>f Libya - whichhad all the rushed, last minute haphazard- like qualities which could haveled to a military disaster. <strong>The</strong> expansion <strong>of</strong> the number <strong>of</strong> multipurposeLHDs in the world’s navies should also be noted as those navies may havealready comprehended this lesson.<strong>The</strong> second lesson is that capable fixed-wing aircraft are still vital toprosecuting conflict, even if you avoid putting boots on the ground, whichis currently the only purpose <strong>of</strong> <strong>Australia</strong>’s LHDs. As we saw <strong>of</strong>f Libya,attack helicopters from amphibious ships can be used for combat supportand raiding like operations but only with dedicated and sophisticated fixedwing support to shape the strategic and tactical environment and maintainit (the USN and RN also fired a large number <strong>of</strong> Tomahawk cruise missilesinto Libya at start <strong>of</strong> the operation).So from the Libyan operation and the year <strong>of</strong> the carrier the ADF needsto have the difficult discussion with itself about other capability optionsfor fixed-wing air support when out <strong>of</strong> RAAF range. Or stay at home.<strong>The</strong> RN Multipurpose LPH HMS OCEAN with British Army Apache attack helicoptersembarked. With ARK ROYAL and all the Harriers decommissioned the only thing the RNhad to ‘throw against Libya’ during this year’s operation was the Army’s helicopters. (RN)Still slightly recognisable here is the former HMS INVINCIBLE on a beach in Turkey beingpulled apart for scrap.NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE<strong>of</strong> the <strong>Navy</strong> <strong>League</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Australia</strong>will be held at the Brassey Hotel, Belmore Gardens, Barton ACT FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER <strong>2011</strong> AT 8.00 pmBUSINESS1 To confirm the Minutes <strong>of</strong> the Annual General Meeting held in Canberra onFriday 29 <strong>Oct</strong>ober 20102 To receive the report <strong>of</strong> the Federal Council, and to consider matters arising3 To receive the financial statements <strong>of</strong> the year ended 30 June <strong>2011</strong>4 To elect Office Bearers for the <strong>2011</strong>-2012 years as follows:• Federal President• Federal Vice-President• Additional Vice-Presidents (3)<strong>No</strong>minations for these positions are to be lodged with the Honorary Secretaryprior to the commencement <strong>of</strong> the meeting.5 General Business:• To deal with any matter notified in writing to the Honorary Secretary by 18 <strong>Oct</strong>ober <strong>2011</strong>All membersare welcometo attendBy order <strong>of</strong> the Federal CouncilPhilip CorboyHonorary Federal SecretaryPO Box 128Clayfield QLD 4011Tel 1300 <strong>73</strong>9 681Fax 1300 <strong>73</strong>9 682THE NAVY VOL. <strong>73</strong> NO. 4 03
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