Australia Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

The Australian Auditor General conducted a review into the Hunter class frigate procurement.

Some juicy findings - "Defence’s expenditure to date has not been effective in delivering on project milestones,
and the cost of the head contract has increased. Lack of design maturity has resulted in an 18-
month delay to the project and extension of the design and productionisation phase, at an
additional cost to Defence of $422.8 million.7 At January 2023 the project was forecast to exceed
the whole of project budget approved by government by a significant amount."

From the background: "Construction of the Hunter class frigates is part of the Australian Government’s continuous
naval shipbuilding program intended to develop sovereign Australian shipbuilding and
sustainment. The Australian Government’s 2020 Force Structure Plan publicly reported that the
cost of the Hunter class frigates was $45.6 billion out-turned." - 9 ships for 45.6 billion AUD, an eye-watering $5 billion for each ship.

Wikipedia shows that a Type 055 Destroyer costs $888 million, 1/5 the cost of a Hunter class frigate.

Australia's defence procurement is approaching India-tier.

It is more like 1/4th than 1/5th the cost since those are AUD not USD.

Still, a "frigate" with 10,000 tons displacement. With only 8 anti-ship missiles and 32 Mk 41 VLS cells. But, hey, it has a Chinook capable flight deck. Compare that with an Admiral Gorshkov class frigate with 4,500 tons displacement which has the same amount of VLS cells, with better missiles, costing $250 million USD.

Pathetic.

So what Aussie wanna do with such ship ? Very long range and endurance operation ?

Germany went that route with Baden Wurtemmberg class. The idea was that it would allow the ship to stay deployed for a long time.

Stealthflanker said:

So what Aussie wanna do with such ship ? Very long range and endurance operation ?

Click to expand...

Best ASW ship in the world, customized with a very very heavy radar set which is most likely going to be more powerful than the AAW-focused Hobart's SPY-1D(V). It's a cruiser in all but missile quantity.

Ships with that kind of displacement like the Type 055 have facilities for two helicopters instead of one by default. I find the claims of it being a good ASW platform kind of disputable. Where is the equivalent of Paket NK torpedo defense system?

gelgoog said:

Ships with that kind of displacement like the Type 055 have facilities for two helicopters instead of one by default. I find the claims of it being a good ASW platform kind of disputable. Where is the equivalent of Paket NK torpedo defense system?

Click to expand...

ASW is not so much about the weapons, it is about the drivetrain and sonars. The GCS is made from the ground up to be the quietest surface combatant ever. The GCS can carry two helicopters, one in the helicopter hangar and one behind it in the mission bay.

Joke of the week...

Australia selects Redback as next fighting vehicle

Australian Army successfully tested Boxer Block II Reconnaissance Vehicle during Talisman Sabre 2023​

During the military exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 that was held from July 22 to August 4, 2023, the Australian army tested the new Block II Reconnaissance armored vehicle which has been built and assembled in Australia.



In March 2018 it was announced that Rheinmetall Defense Australia (RDA) had been selected as the preferred tenderer for that project which at the time called for 211 8x8 armored vehicles, with a roll-out of initial vehicles by 2021 and deliveries scheduled to be complete by 2026.


This is a significant Army capability that will enhance the safety, security and protection of Australian troops for the next 30 years. The Boxer CRV will replace the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV), which has seen extensive operational service since its introduction in 1996.


Rheinmetall Defence Australia has delivered the first 25 Boxer CRVs (known as Block I vehicles) to Australian Defence. The Block I vehicles were built and assembled primarily in Germany and underwent final integration and acceptance testing in Australia.

With a deliberate period of transition, the remaining Boxer CRVs (known as Block II vehicles) will be built and assembled in Australia, under a gradual ramp down in Germany and ramp up in Australia. This will enable progressive technology transfer of the manufacturing techniques and assembly line processes to Australia during this period.

The Australian army reconnaissance version of the Boxer is equipped with a German-made two-man Lance turret armed with one 30mm automatic cannon as well as Spike LR2 Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) weapon system.


The Boxer Block II for the Australian army is equipped with a new redesigned turret equipped with 2 Spike LR2 anti-tank missiles. In terms of protection, the vehicle is also fitted with the Iron Fist APS (Active Protection System) designed and developed by the Israeli Company Elbit Systems.

The is a multirole armored fighting vehicle designed and produced by a European consortium, ARTEC GmbH. It was developed to meet the demands of the modern battlefield, offering modularity, protection, and mobility. One of Boxer's unique features is its modular design. The vehicle comprises two main parts: the platform/drive module and the mission module. The latter can be easily swapped out to transform the Boxer's role – from an armored personnel carrier (APC) to an ambulance, command vehicle, cargo carrier, or more.


Boxer provides a high level of protection against mines, IEDs, and ballistic threats. The vehicle's design emphasizes crew protection, and additional armor can be added based on mission requirements.

The Boxer is based on an 8x8 wheel configuration and has a powerful engine, allowing it to reach a road speed of up to 103 km/h on roads. Its robust suspension and drivetrain enable it to traverse challenging terrains with ease.

Australia sends equipment to military exercises Super Garuda Shield 2023. For the first time since the Vietnam War, Australia sent tanks and armored vehicles abroad to the joint military exercises Super Garuda Shield 2023 with the United States in Indonesia. As reported, the equipment will be involved in the exercises next week. The exercises in Indonesia will be held from 31 August to 13 September. They will be attended by 125 troops from Australia, M1A1 tanks, armored personnel carriers, trucks and tow trucks. The exercise will allow the Australian armed forces to conduct training and work out interaction with partner countries to effectively deploy significant ground forces, including armored vehicles, across the Indo-Pacific region.