Submarines: The Value of Option B
Australia appears to be leaning in favor of the Soryu-class sub. But what if that doesn’t work out?
Brendan Nelson will be remembered as the defence minister who pushed through the Super Hornet purchase as a hedge against further delays in the long-troubled F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. While Air Force held tight to the increasingly forlorn hope that the F-35 would be delivered on schedule—resisting any suggestion of a 4th-generation interim fighter lest it become the final capability—Nelson moved decisively to mitigate the risk of a capability gap. In doing so, he saved the RAAF from itself.
Fast-forward eight years, and another capability gap looms. This time it’s Australia’s submarine capability. It’s now widely known that the Abbott government is working hard to secure a submarine deal with Japan. A great many concerns have been raised about so-called Option J, from the suitability of the Soryu-class boats to the difficulty of dealing with a first-time exporter. Perhaps most vocally, Australia’s shipbuilders are crying foul that the longstanding promise of a local build has been broken.
Even without my ambivalence to local shipbuilding, I’d have sympathy for the government’s approach. Upon coming to power last year, they inherited a risky DIY scheme to design and build an ab initio Australian-designed submarine (cue: stirring speech about nation building and the Snowy Mountains Scheme). So they grasped Option J as a realistic alternative and they’ve been running hard with it ever since.... to read more
Australia debuts armed Super Hornets over Iraq
By: Craig Hoyle, London - 5 hours ago
Royal Australian Air Force combat aircraft have performed their first operational mission over Iraq, the nation’s Department of Defence has confirmed.
A pair of Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets took off from their forward operating base in the Middle East on 5 October for the combat debut, armed with Boeing JDAM-series GPS-guided bombs, Raytheon Paveway-series laser-guided bombs and air-to-air missiles.
They were flown in conjunction with an Airbus KC-30A (A330) multi-role tanker transport and Boeing 737-based E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control system aircraft (below), both also deployed by Australia.
Canberra has committed an Air Task Group comprising six combat-ready Super Hornets and single examples of the KC-30A and Wedgetail, along with almost 400 personnel to the Middle East, to support the coalition campaign against Islamic State militants in Iraq. Its tanker has also provided refuelling support to other coalition assets, including French air force Dassault Rafales, since the deployment began late last month.
Minister for Defence – Australia, China and the United States start first trilateral land exercise
7 October 2014
Defence cooperation between Australia, China and the United States will be highlighted during Exercise KOWARI 14, which commences in the Northern Territory today.
Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston said the inaugural environmental survival training exercise between the three countries will be based out of Larrakeyah Barracks, Darwin, with field training and survival tests in remote inland and coastal areas.
“Exercise KOWARI 14 will provide participants with an understanding of the basic principles, procedures, techniques and equipment that can enhance survival prospects in the harsh Australian environment,” he said.
“The exercise demonstrates the willingness of Australia, China and the United States to work together in practical ways.”
Ten soldiers from the Australian Army, 10 from China’s People’s Liberation Army, five from the United States Army and five from the United States Marine Corps will take part, with a further 100 military personnel providing support in roles including liaison and logistics.
The Australian Army’s 2nd Division will lead Exercise KOWARI, with the North West Mobile Force (NORFORCE) responsible for the conduct of the survival training phase.
Commander of the Exercise, Brigadier Peter Clay, said Australia was pleased to host Exercise KOWARI 14.
“The Exercise will provide some extremely challenging situations for the participants to work through, in some of the toughest terrain that Australia has to offer,” he said.
“The troops will have to depend on each other absolutely in order to succeed.”
“NORFORCE, with its deep connections to indigenous communities, and unrivalled expertise in survival skills, is the ideal unit to provide this training.”
Exercise KOWARI will conclude on 25 October.
OUTSTANDING!The first combat sorties of the new Australian Super Hornets:
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