Australian Defence Force

[Bernard Woolley]

Australian Defence Force

Russell Offices, Canberra

[Bernard Woolley]

Royal Australian Navy

RAN ORBAT 2005

This ORBAT reflects the explosive growth in the RAN, especially in ‘wartime requirement’ vessels, over the period 1999-mid-2005. In many ways the ADF was fortunate when WWIII broke out because it had already expanded over five years in the face of growing tensions and conflict – much of it open – with the Indonesian junta. This low-level war could escalate into a major regional war without notice. The major problems addressed by the RAN were its tremendous manpower shortage, remedied firstly by recalling many emergency reserve personnel, and then by manpower growth. The major deficiencies the so-called ‘Second Emergency’ showed were lack of personnel, inadequacy of the training system, the huge gap in forward basing and logistics support, and the great vulnerability showed by the mine threat. By mid-2005 these issues had mostly been fixed.

Royal Australian Navy - COMAUSFLT

I. SHIPS

COMFLOT
Landing Helicopter Dock[NOTE 1]
Australia (LHD 1) (building)
Canberra (LHD 2) (ordered)

Guided Missile Destroyers[NOTE 2]
HMAS Voyager (DDGH 39)
HMAS Vendetta (DDGH 41)
HMAS Vampire (DDGH 42)

Guided Missile Destroyers (Building) [NOTE 3]
HMAS Hobart (DDGH 43)
HMAS Brisbane (DDGH 44)
HMAS Sydney (DDGH 45)

Guided Missile Frigates (FFG Upgrade Program - FUP) [NOTE 4]
HMAS Darwin (FFG 04)
HMAS Melbourne (FFG 05)
HMAS Newcastle (FFG 06)

Guided Missile Frigates (unmodernised, from maintained Reserve)
HMAS Adelaide (FFG 01)
HMAS Canberra (FFG 02)
HMAS Sydney (FFG 03)
(Note: generally employed to protect the economically vital north-west shelf oil and gas industry and Dampier-Karratha iron ore ports from 2000)

Frigates
HMAS Anzac (FFH 150)
HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)
HMAS Warramunga (FFH 152)
HMAS Stuart (FFH 153)
HMAS Paramatta (FFH 154)
HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155)
HMAS Toowoomba (FFH 156)
HMAS Perth (FFH 157)

Coastal Frigates [NOTE 5]
HMAS Barcoo (FFC 158)
HMAS Macquarie (FFC 159)
HMAS Shoalhaven (FFC 160)
HMAS Hawkesbury (FFC161)

Frigate-Transports [NOTE 6]
HMAS Swan (DE(A) 50)
HMAS Torrens (DE(A) 53)

Guided Missile Frigates (Ordered) [NOTE 3]
HMAS Hunter
HMAS Flinders
HMAS Tasman

COMAUSSUBFOR
SSK [NOTE 7]
HMAS Collins (SSG 73)
HMAS Farncomb (SSG 74)
HMAS Waller (SSG 75)
HMAS Dechaineaux (SSG 76)
HMAS Sheean (SSG 77)
HMAS Rankin (SSG 78)

SST [NOTE 8]
HMAS Ovens (Fleet base west)
HMAS Onslow (Fleet base east)


COMAASG
Amphibious
HMAS Tobruk (L 50)
HMAS Kanimbla (L 51) [NOTE 9]
HMAS Manoora (L 52) [NOTE 10]

Fleet Support
HMAS Success (OR 304)
HMAS Westralia (O 195)
HMAS Sirius (O 266) (Fitting Out)
HMAS Stalwart (A215) [NOTE 11]
Ex-Vampire (1946 Daring class DD) [NOTE 12]

Floating Bases (NOTE 13)
HMAS Psyche (Dampier)
HMAS Pioneer (Sydney)

Light Amphibious
LCH
HMAS Balikpapan (L 126)
HMAS Brunei (L 127)
HMAS Labuan (L 128)
HMAS Tarakan (L 129)
HMAS Wewak (L 130)
HMAS Salamaua (L 131)
HMAS Buna (L 132)
HMAS Betano (L 133)

Local Support (Timor Leste base and support force)
HMAS Ping Wo (reefer and MGB/FAC-M depot ship ex-factory trawler)
HMAS Goorangai (stores carrier ex FV)
HMAS Patricia Cam (stores carrier ex FV)
HMAS Biloela (7,200grt dry stores carrier)
HMAS Kurumba (8,000grt product tanker)

COMAUSPABFOR
FAC-M (Armidale class re-rated from patrol Craft all fitted as FAC-M by 2005)
1st/Attack Division (HMAS Coonawarra, Darwin)
HMAS Armidale (ACPB 83)
HMAS Larrakia (ACPB 84)
HMAS Bathurst (ACPB 85)
HMAS Albany (ACPB 86)
2nd/Assail Division (HMAS Coonawarra)
HMAS Pirie (ACPB 87)
HMAS Maitland (ACPB 88)
HMAS Ararat (ACPB 90)
HMAS Broome (ACPB 90)
HMAS Bundaberg (ACPB 91)
3rd/Ardent Division (HMAS Cairns, Cairns)
HMAS Wollongong (ACPB 92)
HMAS Childers (ACPB 93)
HMAS Devonport (ACPB 94)
4th/Aware Division (Dampier, Western Australia)
HMAS Maryborough (ACPB 95)
HMAS Glenelg (ACPB 96)

Motor Gunboats (rerated from Patrol Boats all fitted as MGB by 2003)
5th/Adroit Division (HMAS Coonawarra, Darwin)
HMAS Fremantle (FCPB 203) [NOTE 14]
HMAS Warrnambool (FCPB 204)
HMAS Townsville (FCPB 205)
HMAS Wollongong (FCPB 206)
6th/Arrow Division (HMAS Coonawarra)
HMAS Launceston (FCPB 207)
HMAS Whyalla (FCPB 208)
HMAS Ipswich (FCPB 209)
HMAS Cessnock (FCPB 210)
7th/Bandolier Division (HMAS Cairns, Cairns)
HMAS Bendigo (FCPB 211)
HMAS Gawler (FCPB 212)
HMAS Geraldton (FCBP 213)
HMAS Dubbo (FCPB 214)
8th/Buccaneer Division (Forward deployed to Timor Leste, boats rotate in and out)
HMAS Geelong (FCPB 215)
HMAS Gladstone (FCPB 216)
HMAS Bunbury (FCPB 217)

COMAUSMINFOR
Minehunters
HMAS Huon (M 82)
HMAS Hawkesbury (M 83)
HMAS Norman (M 84)
HMAS Gascoyne (M 85)
HMAS Diamantina (M 86)
HMAS Yarra (M 87)

Roadstead Minehunters (Based Sydney working with but not part of 32nd MSF)
HMAS Rushcutter (M80)
HMAS Shoalwater (M81) [NOTE 15]

32nd Minesweeping Flotilla (Auxiliary Minesweeper Force)
1st Squadron (Sydney)
AMS 1/1: MSA Brolga, Bermagui, Koraaga, Gunundaal, Bandicoot and Wallaroo,
(Note: Prewar Craft of Opportunity. Not commissioned, can only tow AMASS. Based in Sydney and used for training and local minesweeping.
AMS 1/2: MSA Chonhkai, Margaret II, Roebuck, Pride of Eden, Gorlenden Core, Icepick
4 danlayers, 2 examination vessels

2nd Squadron (Newcastle)
AMS 2/1 Birchgrove Park, Bombo, Bonthorpe, (2 x 20mm Oerlikon)
AMS 2/2 Wilcannia, Yandra, Vigilant(2 x 20mm Oerlikon)
AMD 2/3 Nambucca, Whyrallah, Adele
SDB: Belmont, Tokal, Coal Point (motor yachts, cut down and armed, 1 x 20mm Oerlikon, 2 x .30cal MG
Dan layers: Wallace Star, Stockton, Sugarloaf (wooden fishing vessels, 1 x .30cal MG)
Examination vessels: Cutlass, Adolphe (steel oil industry crewboats, 1 x 20mm Oerlikon, 1 x .50cal MG)
Channel Sidescan Survey: William the Fourth (wooden paddle steamer, coal fired reciprocating steam engine, small arms)
Note: This Squadron took the heaviest losses of the AMS Squadrons

3rd Squadron (Melbourne, also covers Tasmania and South Australia)
AMS 3/1: Beryl II, Coolebar
AMS 3/2: Coombar, Durraween

AMS 3/3: Alfie Cam, Allenwood
AMS 3/4: Goolgwai, Goonambee

4th Squadron Brisbane (plus Queensland coal ports around Mackay, and Cairns/ Townsville)
AMS 4/1: Akuna, Warrawee MSA Medea
AMS 4/2: Gippsland, Uralba MSA Mercedes
AMS 4/3: Gunbar, Bingera MSA Narani
Cairns AMS 4/4: Kybra MSA Kianga, Korowa (not commissioned)
Mackay AMS 4/5: Laurabada MSA Marrawah, Mary Cam (not commissioned)
5 examination vessels, 12 danlayers (due to length of channels_

5th Squadron (Port of Dampier but also covers Perth)
HMAS Stirling AMS 5/1 Melinga, MSA Olive Cam, Orara, Paterson, Samuel Benbow (not commissioned)
AMS 5/2 Tambar, Terka, Tolga, (AMS-PC – NOTE 16),
AMS 5/3 Tongkol, Toorie, Uki
2 examination vessels, 4 danlayers

Survey
HMAS Leeuwin (A 245)
HMAS Melville (A 246)
HMAS Benalla (A 04)
HMAS Mermaid (A 02)
HMAS Paluma (A 01)
HMAS Shepparton (A 03)

II. FLEET AIR ARM

HMAS Albatross
723 Squadron: AS 350BA, A109E [NOTE - RAN Rotary Training]
725 Squadron: MH-60R
805 Squadron: SH-2G(A)
808 Squadron: Merlin HM.51 [NOTE 17]
816 Squadron: S-70B-2
817 Squadron: Sea King Mk 50 [NOTE 18]
850 Squadron: S-2GT Tracker, C-1T Trader [NOTE 19]
851 Squadron: E-1T Tracer [NOTE 19]




NOTES
1) Navantia LHD design. Selected 2001, ordered 2002. LHD-1 hull approaching launch 2005, completion scheduled 2007 to replace L-51 (scheduled to become AVT-51 and serve to 2017 in helo training role)

2) Modified Type 45 destroyers, named after previous RAN Daring class destroyers. Procurement of the class itself and reuse of the name Voyager were controversial.

3) Flight 2 Type 45A (ii) class; the design has been further modified to suit RAN requirements. These ships will be larger than the initial Flight and be closer in dimensions to the Type 46 cruisers. Construction of first modules for Hobart has started and long-lead items for Brisbane have been procured. Probably to be fitted with 155mm as a result of war experience against Indonesia.
The Hunter class are an RAN variant of the RN Type 26 'City' class. Will start construction once Flight 2 Type 45A have been completed.

4) With procurement of the Modified Type 45 destroyers the FFG-7 upgrade was partially canceled, a blessing in disguise as costs were beginning to get out of control. Only Darwin, Melbourne and Newcastle were modernised, others reduced to maintained reserve in Sydney.

5) RAN River III class. Based on the RN operated Batch 2 Castle class corvettes, but more heavily armed. They were procured as a response to Indonesia purchasing 12 ex-Soviet Baltic Fleet Parchim II class light frigates.

6) Obsolete River class Destroyer Escorts (Australian variants of the Leander class FF) scheduled for disposal as targets off Western Australia. While retained in C&M reserve, the ‘main ASW armament’ Ikara system was not supportable. After some dithering, the decision to reactivate the two ships as gunnery support vessels and training ships was taken. During reactivation, the outbreak of war saw the 634mm torpedo tubes refitted to the ships, along with Mulloka sonar, to provide basic ASW. A deck-house was also fitted aft and four LCVP added on davit sets, allowing them to be used in minor amphibious roles as well. Rated as DE(A). Found to be remarkably useful in this role.
Former Perth class DDG not retained in reserve due to poor material condition and impossibility of maintaining their complex obsolete systems; all were sunk as dive wrecks, although bridge and forward gun turret of Brisbane was preserved and is on display at the Australian War Memorial.

7) Collins had an ineradicable flow-noise problem due to a design error in the Swedish design. In addition, her bow cap was of Swedish manufacture and was significantly inferior to the Australian built bow caps of the rest of the class. These issues slightly reduced her operational capability. Even Collins was quieter than an SSN, however.

8) HMAS Ovens (reactivated from Western Australian Maritime Museum at Fremantle and based at HMAS Stirling) and HMAS Onslow (reactivated from Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour, Sydney) based at HMAS Mindari, Fleet Base East adjacent to Garden Island). Both museum-pieces were known by former Oberon crews to be in reasonable physical condition, as many of them did volunteer maintenance and other work on them. Re-activated to provide basic ASW ‘clockwork mouse’ training so as to relieve the Collins class of this requirement. Not operational and only rated to 100m submergence. Not permitted to operate in water more than 110m deep. Combat systems not reactivated. Two torpedo tubes operational to launch self-propelled decoys. UWT modernised, rescue buoy fitted. Day-sailing crews only. Purpose-built escape pod added over forward escape hatch, giving them a unique ‘lumpy’ profile.

9) Former BHP Ro-Ro steel slab carrier MV Iron Monarch procured in the early Nineties (over the objections of the Chief of the Naval Staff) as partial replacement for the carrier HMAS Melbourne. Can operate as a CVE with up to six ASW Sea Kings, or similar number of utility helicopters; can also carry ten Sea King sized helicopters in her hangar. Can carry army vehicles but does not have the capability to carry troops. Retains stern ramp rated to 200 tons and frequently used to carry tanks.

10) Ex-MV Tamesis, 4th generation RoRo, panama size procured in 2004 to act as military transport, modified to operate helicopters, including Chinook, which can be accommodated below via a retrofitted vehicle lift without need to fold the main rotors. One moveable deck system removed and fixed hangar deck fitted, superstructure removed and replaced with starboard side island, vent trunks moved to side and upper deck converted into helicopter deck. Can also act with LCH (loading via stern ramp, modified to dip and mate to LCH) to allow her to operate in the amphibious role; was estimated in 2002 before conversion that she could easily carry every vehicle in the Australian Army inventory and still only be half-filled. Gross Tonnage: 67140, Deadweight: 39516 t, Length Overall x Breadth Extreme: 244.6m × 32.29m.

11) 1960s destroyer tender; placed in reserve during 1980s cuts but used in Sydney as tender to HMAS Kuttabul by Fleet Intermediate Maintenance Authority. She was subsequently moved to HMAS Stirling (Cockburn Sound) in 1991 for use as overflow accommodation and workshop.
Refitted and returned to service as fleet maintenance and repair ship just prior to outbreak of conflict. Armament consists of 2 Mk 15 Block 1 CIWS, can carry 1 large utility helicopter

12) Daring class DD. Museum ship, Sydney. Not considered for reactivation, but requisitioned and moved to Fleet Base East then HMAS Mindari. Officially designated Vampire II as a harbour tender to HMAS Mindari. Docked and refitted for purpose. Used for personnel training, fuel ready-supply for small craft, accommodation, steam generation and emergency electricity supply. One boiler re-activated and steam generators reactivated and upgraded. Also used as and 4.5" gun system spare parts store for the Rivers.
HMAS Mindari.
The old Woolloomoolloo Finger Wharf and surrounding area had been sold for high-end housing in the 1990s, creating major problems over time for the RAN. The finger pier, the Wharf Terraces opposite it and the Cowper Wharf Road were all requisitioned and compulsorily purchased. This cost billions but was a sheer necessity. This was commissioned as HMAS Mindari and it was scheduled as a heavy industrial site. The finger pier and Wharf Terraces were refurbished as administration, accommodation barracks and training space as HMAS Mindari) and used as the RAN’s operational base, it included ‘Fleet base east’. The marina between the finger pier and wharf terrace was demolished and the area dredged to provide three additional berths for Panamax sized ships (such as the new LHD and tankers) and two destroyer berths. Tender Vampire II was squeezed in to the base of the finger pier near Harry’s Cafe de Wheels (permitted to remain, if relocated across the road). The old WWII fuel tanks under the park had to be refurbished and modernised to meet the fuel demands. In the interim a commercial tanker was leased as a floating fuel store and moored off the end of the finger pier. This was still not enough berthing and the floating base HMAS Pioneer (see below) had to be added and was moored off the SE side of the dockyard itself, connected by pontoon a spudded roadway-pontoon.

13) Floating Bases. Initially acquired on the advice of the powerful oil and gas industry to provide an ‘instant base’ at Dampier. So useful a second was purchased to expand berthing, accommodation, training and maintenance capability at Garden Island Dockyard. Based on a standard ‘Camelot’ design and bought COTS, with a new deck for workshops, double the generation capability and additional length and beam. Defence was astonished that these huge vessels cost $35 million each, new, and were delivered in 9 months for a $3 million premium from a Vietnamese yard (purchased by Woodside to simplify acquisition processes and re-sold to the RAN for a nominal $5.00 profit). Commissioned as shore establishments but under direct COMAUSFLT control.
Length: 230 m
Breadth: 50 m
Depth: 12.5 m
Accommodation: for up to 722 persons, accommodation reduced despite additional size to provide volume for a 40 bed hospital and extensive stores areas
Clear deck area: 4,000 m²
Workshop space 3,600 m²
Fixed 100 ton crane
2 Auxiliary Deck Cranes
8 x CAT3516 at 1825 kW each (14,600kW) / 440 v / 60 hz / 3 ph
2 x E.Gen CAT3406 at 200 kW / 440 v / 60 hz
12 Point Mooring
Helideck for S61 / S92
Heave Compensated Telescopic Gangway

14) Pre-1999 were manned by the RANR with a regular core. Although they were part of the Fleet Reserve the Fremantle class could often be found on patrol off the north coast of Australia. Post 1999 they were fully reactivated and refurbishment and upgrade programs started. Eventually taken in hand and standardised as MGB, now somewhat overweight due to increase in armament and addition of some light armour to protect vitals from 12.7mm MG fire.

15) Bay class catamaran minehunters, four additional ships to be named Westernport, Discovery, Esperance, and Melville, were planned but never constructed due to poor seakeeping of the design when this roadstead design was used at sea - were only deployable up to Sea State 3. Reduced to maintained reserve in 2001.

16) These AMS-PC are commercially purchased large rig tenders, generally in the 2500 - 3000 ton class (displacement). Purchased to provide local protection for the absolutely critical iron ore exports and north-west shelf oil and gas fields against low-end threats and infiltration / SOF attack. Commonly had SAS or CDO dets aboard.
Fitted for MSA work with AMASS, Oropesa, as well as sidescan sonar and drone influence boats. For their ‘local OPV role’ they have a very austere ASuW oriented fit derived from the Barcoo class light frigate as follows
Surface search radar: CelsiusTech 9LV 453 TIR (Ericsson Tx/Rx) (G-band)
Navigation: Atlas Elektronik 9600 ARPA (I-band)
Inertial Navigation: Dual Sperry Marine MK49 Ring Laser Gyro Ship's Inertial Navigation Systems and ship's Data Distribution System (DDS)
Electronic warfare and decoys: ESM: Racal modified Sceptre A (radar intercept), Telefunken PST-1720 Telegon 10 (comms intercept)
Countermeasures: Decoys: G & D Aircraft SRBOC Mk 36 Mod 1 decoy launchers for SRBOC
Armament:
Guns and missiles: 1 × 76.2mm gun, 2 x 6pdr Molins (beam positions forward of midships, various machine guns and small arms, 2x4 Harpoon SSM on the stern
Fire control: CelsiusTech 9LV 453 (J-band)
Combat data systems: CelsiusTech 9LV 453 Mk 3. Link 11
Weapons control: CelsiusTech 9LV 453 optronic director with Raytheon CW Mk 73 Mod 1

17) Included as part of Type 45 deal; the RAN would really have preferred to add additional MH-60R to that order, however the Merlins were included at less than cost-price (BAES had bought the aircraft from Augusta Westland and sold them for less than the value of the airframes). Although they did not want the helicopters the RAN has been very satisfied with the Merlin HM.51, this has led to speculation that additional examples may be procured to replace the ageing, if in fact actually ancient Sea King Mk.50s.

18) A dozen of the Sea Kings were refitted with dipping sonars to allow them to once again take on the ASW role when deployed to HMAS Kanimbla. Eight other aircraft continue to operate in the utility role.

19) Aircraft purchased from UAC in Tucson; rebuilt in Avalon. Aircraft have new turboprop engines. Trackers have austere version of AN/APS-139(A) radar and associated systems.

[Bernard Woolley]

Australian Army

I. Australian Capital Territory Support Command

24th Battalion, The Australian Rifles Regiment: (+): Bushmaster [NOTE 1]
- Cavalry Squadron: ASLAV
2nd Military Police Battalion
G Squadron: S-70A

II. 1 Australian Corps (Australian International Force)
(Expeditionary Force/Near Abroad)

Corps Troops
- 10th Medium Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery: M198
- 16th Air Land Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery: Rapier FSC
- 17th Air Land Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery: Starstreak
- 19th Air Land Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery: Leopard Marksman
- 20th Surveillance and Target Acquisition Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery:
- 6th Signals Regiment
- 7th Signals Regiment (Electronic Warfare)
- 7th Engineer Support Regiment
- 10th Engineer Support Regiment (Port Operations)
- 14th Construction Regiment
- 18th Force Support Battalion
- 19th Force Support Battalion
- 1st Military Police Battalion
- 1st Intelligence Battalion
- Administrative Support Battalion

Australian 1st Division (Armor/Mech, Specialist Infantry)
1st Brigade
- 1st Armoured Regiment: M1A1 (AIM)
- 2nd Cavalry Regiment: ASLAV
- 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment: M2A2
- 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment: M2A2
- 8th Medium Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery: M109A6, ASLAV HVM
- 1st Combat Engineer Regiment: M104 HAB
- 1st Combat Signals Regiment
- 1st Combat Service Support Battalion
3rd Brigade
- 3rd Armoured Regiment: M1A1 (AIM)
- 3rd Cavalry Regiment: ASLAV
- 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment: M113AS4
- 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment: M113AS4
- 4th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery: M777
- 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment:
- 3rd Combat Signals Regiment
- 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion
7th Brigade
- 4th Armoured Regiment: Leopard AS1
- 2nd Moreton Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry): ASLAV
- 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Jungle)
- 8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment: Bushmaster IMV
- 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment: Bushmaster IMV
- 21st Battalion, The Australian Rifles Regiment:
- 1st Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery: M777
- 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment:
- 7th Combat Signals Regiment
- 7th Combat Service Support Battalion
16th Aviation Brigade
- 173rd Aviation Squadron: King Air B350
- 1st Aviation Regiment
-- 161st Reconnaissance Squadron: AH-1V (Aus) Taipan
-- 162nd Reconnaissance Squadron: AH-1V (Aus) Taipan
- 5th Aviation Regiment
-- A Squadron: S-70A
-- B Squadron: S-70A
-- C Squadron: CH-47D

6th Brigade
- Special Air Service Regiment
- 1st Commando Regiment
- 2nd Commando Regiment
- Incident Response Regiment (NBC):
- 171st Aviation Squadron: MH-60K

24th Brigade (Air-Portable)
- 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Parachute):
- 15th Battalion, The Australian Rifles Regiment (Parachute):
- 12th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (Parachute): L118
- 16th Combat Engineer Regiment (Parachute)
- 17th Combat Signals Regiment (Parachute)
- 17th Combat Service Support Battalion (Parachute)

23rd Brigade (Amphibious)
- 5th Armoured Regiment: Auskat-105
- 1st Amphibious Transport Regiment: KAAV7
- 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
- 14th Battalion, The Australian Rifles Regiment
- 30th Battalion, The Australian Rifles Regiment
- 14th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery : L118
- 15th Combat Engineer Regiment
- 16th Combat Signals Regiment
- 16th Combat Service Support Battalion: LCM-8, LARC-V

Australian 2nd Division (Motorized/Light Infantry)
18th Brigade
- 8th Armoured Regiment: Centurion Mk.13/1
- 4th Cavalry Regiment: ASLAV
- 25th Light Horse Regiment (Western Australian Mounted Infantry) (APC): M113AS4
- 1st Battalion, The Australian Rifles Regiment:
- 6th Battalion, The Australian Rifles Regiment:
- 48th Battalion, The Australian Rifles Regiment:
- 15th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery: Yeramba
- 18th Combat Engineer Regiment:
- 10th Combat Signal Regiment:
- 6th Combat Service Support Battalion
20th Brigade
- 16th Light Horse (Hunter River Lancers): Centurion Mk.13/1
- 21st Light Horse Regiment (Riverina Horse): ASLAV
- 26th Light Horse Regiment (Tasmanian Mounted Infantry) (APC): M113AS4
- 3rd Battalion, The Australian Rifles Regiment:
- 13th Battalion, The Australian Rifles Regiment:
- 39th Battalion, The Australian Rifles Regiment
- 18th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery Yeramba
- 19th Combat Engineer Regiment:
- 14th Combat Signal Regiment:
- 8th Combat Service Support Battalion
21st Brigade
- 6th Armoured Regiment: Centurion Mk.13/1
- 23rd Light Horse Regiment (Barossa) : ASLAV
- 29th Light Horse Regiment (Port Phillip Horse) (APC): M113AS4
- 2nd Battalion, The Australian Rifles Regiment:
- 18th Battalion, The Australian Rifles Regiment:
- 22nd Battalion, The Australian Rifles Regiment:
- 21st Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery : Yeramba
- 17th Combat Engineer Regiment:
- 15th Combat Signal Regiment:
- 15th Combat Service Support Battalion
17th Aviation Brigade
- 174th Aviation Squadron: GA-8
- 2nd Aviation Regiment
-- 163rd Reconnaissance Squadron: AH-1F Cobra [NOTE 2]
-- 164th Reconnaissance Squadron: AH-1F Cobra
- 6th Aviation Regiment
-- D Squadron: UH-1N Twin Huey
-- E Squadron: UH-1N Twin Huey
-- F Squadron: CH-47D

22nd Brigade (Timor Force) [NOTE 3]
- Armoured Squadron: Centurion Mk.13/1
-- Special Equipment Troop:
- APC Squadron: M113AS4
- Cavalry Regiment:
- Motorized Infantry Regiment: Bushmaster
- Motorized Infantry Regiment: Bushmaster
- Light Infantry Regiment:
- Artillery Regiment: Yeramba
- Combat Engineer Regiment:
- Combat Signal Regiment:
- Combat Service Support Battalion

6th Division (Jungle) - PNG & Solomon Islands [NOTE 4]
30th Brigade - Aitape-Wewak

27th Brigade - Green River

25th Brigade - Port Moresby

26th Brigade - Manus Island

29th (Solomons) Brigade - Honiara [NOTE 5]


III. 2 Australian Corps
(Continental Defense/Northern Command)

Corps Troops
- 20th Construction Regiment
- 8th Signal Regiment (ELINT)
- 2nd Intelligence Battalion

Australian 3rd Division
- 23rd Battalion, The Australian Rifles Regiment (Parachute) [NOTE 6]
1st Light Horse Brigade
- 4th Light Horse Regiment (Corangamite Light Horse) - RAAF Curtin
- 7th Light Horse Regiment (Australian Horse) - Karratha
- 13th Light Horse Regiment (Gippsland Light Horse) - Port Hedland
- 8th Light Horse Regiment (Indi Light Horse) - Mitchell Plateau
- 20th Battalion, The Australian Rifles Regiment:
- 20th Combat Service Support Battalion
2nd Light Horse Brigade
- 6th Light Horse Regiment (New South Wales Mounted Rifles) - Darwin
- 11th Light Horse Regiment (Darling Downs Light Horse)(QMI) - RAAF Tindal
- 18th Light Horse Regiment (Adelaide Lancers) - Bradshaw Field
- 26th Battalion, The Australian Rifles Regiment:
- 21st Combat Service Support Battalion
3rd Light Horse Brigade
- 5th Light Horse Regiment (Wide Bay and Burnett Light Horse) (QMI) - RAAF Scherger
- 9th Light Horse Regiment (Flinders Light Horse) - Burketown
- 29th Battalion, The Australian Rifles Regiment:
- 22nd Combat Service Support Battalion

Cape York Light Horse Brigade [NOTE 7]
- Brigade HQ (Coen)
- Bamaga Light Horse Independent Company (Bamaga)
- Weipa Light Horse Service Company (logistics)
- Archer River Light Horse Regiment (Aurakun)
- Mitchell River Light Horse Regiment (Kowanyaina)
- Gilbert River Light Horse Regiment (Normanton)

Defence Group [NOTE 8]
- 1st Defence Battalion (Learmonth/Exmouth)
- 5th Defence Battalion (Karratha/Dampier)
- 6th Defence Battalion (Port Hedland)
- 9th Defence Battalion (Broome)
- 2nd Defence Battalion (Curtin/Derby)
- 8th Defence Battalion (Mitchell Plateau/Mungalalu)
- 3rd Defence Battalion (Tindal)
- 7th Defence Battalion (Darwin)
- 8th Defence Battalion (Gove)
- 4th Defence Battalion, The Royal Queensland Regiment (Weipa/Scherger)
- Christmas Island Defence Battalion
- Cocos Islands Defence Company

Regional Surveillance Brigade [NOTE 9]
- North-West Mobile Force
-- Aviation Support Flight: GA-8
- The Pilbara Regiment
-- Aviation Support Flight: GA-8
- 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment
-- Aviation Support Flight: GA-8


IV. 3 Australian Corps
(Army Reserve)

Corps Troops
- 21st Construction Regiment
- 22nd Construction Regiment
- 3rd Military Police Battalion
- 9th Air Land Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery: Rapier FSC

Australian 4th Division
4th Light Horse Brigade
- 17th Light Horse Regiment (The Prince of Wales’s Light Horse): Combined Arms
- 20th Light Horse Regiment (Victorian Mounted Rifles): Combined Arms
- 23rd Combat Service Support Battalion
4th Brigade - Victoria
- 19th Light Horse Regiment (Yarrowee Light Horse): ASLAV
- 5th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment:
- 7th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment:
- 8th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment:
- 2nd Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery: L118
- 4th Combat Engineer Regiment:
- 4th Combat Signal Regiment:
- 4th Combat Service Support Battalion
10th Brigade - Victoria
- 32nd Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment:
- 38th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment:
- 59th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment:
- 22nd Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery: L118
- 18th Combat Signal Regiment
- 25th Combat Service Support Battalion
9th Brigade - South Australia
- 3rd Light Horse Regiment (South Australian Mounted Rifles): ASLAV
- 10th Battalion, Royal South Australian Regiment:
- 27th Battalion, Royal South Australian Regiment:
- 43rd Battalion, Royal South Australian Regiment:
- 13th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery: L118
- 9th Combat Engineer Regiment:
- 9th Combat Signal Regiment:
- 9th Combat Service Support Battalion
12th Brigade - Tasmania
- 22nd Light Horse Regiment (Tasmanian Mounted Infantry): ASLAV
- 12th Battalion, The Royal Tasmania Regiment
- 40h Battalion, The Royal Tasmania Regiment
- 50th Battalion, The Royal Tasmania Regiment
- 6th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery: L118
- 12th Combat Engineer Regiment:
- 12th Combat Signal Regiment:
- 12th Combat Service Support Battalion
13th Brigade - West Australia
- 10th Light Horse Regiment (Western Australia Mounted Infantry): ASLAV
- 11th Battalion, The Royal Western Australia Regiment:
- 16th Battalion, The Royal Western Australia Regiment:
- 28th Battalion, The Royal Western Australia Regiment:
- 3rd Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery: L118
- 13th Combat Engineer Regiment:
- 13th Combat Signal Regiment:
- 13th Combat Service Support Battalion

Australian 5th Division
5th Light Horse Brigade
- 7th Armoured Regiment: Auskat-76
- 15th Light Horse Regiment (Northern River Lancers): Combined Arms
- 24th Light Horse Regiment (Flinders): Combined Arms
- 24th Combat Service Support Battalion
5th Brigade - New South Wales
- 1st Royal New South Wales Lancers: ASLAV
- 4th Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment:
- 34th Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment:
- 19th Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment:
- 23rd Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery: L118
- 5th Combat Engineer Regiment:
- 5th Combat Signal Regiment:
- 5th Combat Service Support Battalion
8th Brigade - New South Wales
- 12th Light Horse Regiment (New England Light Horse): ASLAV
- 17th Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment:
- 33rd Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment:
- 41st Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment:
- 7th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery: L118
- 8th Combat Engineer Regiment:
- 8th Combat Signal Regiment:
- 8th Combat Service Support Battalion
11th Brigade - Queensland
- 27th Light Horse Regiment (North Queensland): ASLAV
- 42nd Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment:
- 47th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment:
- 49th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment:
- Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion (Militia)
- 11th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery: L118
- 11th Combat Engineer Regiment:
- 11th Combat Signal Regiment:
- 11th Combat Service Support Battalion
2nd Brigade - Queensland
- 14th West Moreton Light Horse (Queensland Mounted Infantry): ASLAV
- 9th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment:
- 25th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment:
- 31st Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment:
- 5th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery: L118
- 6th Combat Engineer Regiment:
- 2nd Combat Signal Regiment:
- 2nd Combat Service Support Battalion
14th Brigade - Northern Territory
- 35th Battalion, The Royal Northern Territory Regiment
- 36th Battalion, The Royal Northern Territory Regiment
- 14th Combat Service Support Battalion


V. Training Command

Army Recruit Training Centre - Blamey Barracks, NSW
Army Aviation Training Centre - Oakey Army Aviation Centre, QLD
Royal Military College, Duntroon - Canberra, ACT
Combat Arms Training Centre - Bridges Barracks, VIC
- School of Armour - Puckapunyal Military Area, VIC
- School of Artillery - Puckapunyal Military Area, VIC
- School of Infantry - Lone Pine Barracks, NSW
- School of Military Engineering - Holsworthy Barracks, NSW
School of Transport - Puckapunyal Military Area, VIC
Army Logistic Training Centre - Bandiana, VIC
Parachute Training School - HMAS Albatross, NSW
Special Forces Training Centre - Lone Pine Barracks, NSW



NOTES
1) ACT Quick Reaction Force
2) AH-1F procured from US stocks as interim capability pending delivery of AH-1V. Will be replaced by AH-1V as production allows.
3) HQ for rotational units.
4) Each brigade contained a battalion of the PNGDF and a RPNGC Mobile Unit (2-5 ‘Squads’ each, actually of about 40-50 Gendarmes). Each also contained 1-2 battalion of ADF
5) Actually little more than an overstrength battalion with no more than 2 companies of ADF infantry. This ‘Brigade’ is more of a logistics and administrative structure for the Pacific Islands Forum forces (mostly Police but including PNGDF, RFMF, NZDF, VMF and RTA elements) for Operation Helpem Fren, the PACFORUM intervention to restore and maintain governance n the Solomon Islands. It is actually under a New Zealand, Royal Tongan Army, Royal Fiji Military Forces or PNGDF commander on rotation and works formally to the PACFORUM in Suva.
6) Seconded from 24th Brigade on rotational detachment. Functions as 3rd Divisions QRF.
7) Horse mounted formations for patrolling areas that are not accessible to vehicles.
8) Static defense formations garrisoned at key ports and airfields. Capable of local patrolling.
9) These are specialised regional reconnaissance and surveillance units which work closely with the regional cavalry regiments. They include a high proportion of Aboriginal soldiers and old-style bushmen. Many are mounted depending on local conditions, some are waterborne again depending on local conditions.

Author Notes
Australian Rifles Regiment
- Parent regiment for active duty National Service infantry units. This leaves the Royal Australian Regiment as the parent for the professional infantry units of the Australian Regular Army.
Jungle Warfare Units in Papua New Guinea
- Infantry battalions designated as “Jungle” are very lightly equipped and receive specialised jungle warfare training. Near exclusively footborne, with a heavy preference for 9mm SMG instead of 5.56mm F88, and possessed of some specialised equipment such as grenade launchers able to use normal infantry grenades.
Army Reserve Divisions and Brigades
- These are largely regional administrative formations in peacetime. In the event of a general mobilization, these formations would take several months at a minimum to be capable of brigade and division level operations. In such an event, constituent units would be reshuffled prior to deployment overseas.
- However, their constituent units do deploy for rotations to Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea alongside Australian Regular Army and National Service units.
- In the event of a general mobilization, the 4th and 5th Light Horse Brigades would join the 3rd Division to reinforce Northern Command.
Conscription in Australia
- Conscripts serve 12 months on active duty. At the end of that period, they can elect to serve either an additional 12 months active duty, or 18 months active reserve. At the end of their obligation, conscripts pass to the standby reserve until they hit the upper age limit for that.

[Bernard Woolley]

Royal Australian Air Force


I. AIR COMBAT GROUP
RAAF Base Williamtown

78 Wing – RAAF Base Williamtown
No. 76 Squadron: Hawk 127
No. 79 Squadron: Hawk 127
No. 83 Squadron: Hunter F.74S, FR.74S, T.75S - RAAF Base Bacau

81 Wing – RAAF Base Williamtown
No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit: F/A-18A/B
No. 3 Squadron: F/A-18A
No. 75 Squadron: F/A-18A
No. 77 Squadron: F/A-18A – RAAF Base Tindal
No. 82 Squadron: Mirage IIIO/IIID - RAAF Base Bacau
No. 460 Squadron: F/A-18D [NOTE 1]
No.26 (City of Newcastle) Squadron maintenance and skill salvage

82 Wing – RAAF Base Amberley
No. 1 Squadron: F-111C, RF-111C
No. 6 Squadron: F-111C/D, EF-111D [NOTE 2]
Forward Air Control Development Unit: PC-9

No. 396 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing [NOTE responsible for 'Bare Bases'] - RAAF Base Darwin
No. 322 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron - RAAF Base Tindal
Responsible for following Bare Bases:
RAAF Base Scherger
RAAF Base Curtin
RAAF Base Learmonth

95 Wing
No. 1 Security Forces Squadron: airfield point defence
No. 2 Security Forces Squadron
No. 3 Security Forces Squadron: airfield point defence
No.13 (City of Darwin) Squadron: M113 ADATS, MIM-104 Patriot [NOTE 3]
No. 29 (City of Hobart) Squadron: airfield point defence
No. 30 Squadron: M113 ADATS, MIM-104 Patriot [NOTE 3]


II. AIR MOBILITY GROUP
RAAF Base Richmond

84 Wing – RAAF Base Richmond
No. 33 Squadron: KC-11 Tanker [NOTE 4]
No. 34 Squadron: B-737 BBJ, Challenger 604 – Defense Establishment Fairbairn
No. 38 Squadron: DHC-4
No. 28 (City of Canberra) Squadron: GA-8, C-47
No 21 (City of Melbourne) Squadron GA-8, C-47

86 Wing – RAAF Base Richmond
No. 35 Squadron: C-17A
No. 36 Squadron: C-130H
No. 37 Squadron: C-130J
No. 40 Squadron: C-27J
No 22 (City of Sydney) Squadron: Heavy Transport Skill salvage
No 27 (City of Townsville) Squadron: Medium transport Skill salvage

III. SURVEILLANCE AND RESPONSE GROUP
RAAF Base Williamtown

42 Wing – RAAF Base Williamtown
No. 2 Squadron: E-7A

92 Wing – RAAF Base Edinburgh
No. 10 Squadron: AP-3C
No. 11 Squadron: AP-3C
No. 292 Squadron (OCU): AP-3C
No. 92 Wing Detachment A – RMAF Butterworth
No. 92 Wing Detachment B – RAAF Base Darwin
No 23 (City of Adelaide) Squadron


IV. AIR FORCE TRAINING GROUP
RAAF Base Williams

Air Training Wing – RAAF Base East Sale
Basic Flying Training School - Tamworth, NSW: CT/4 Airtrainer
No.2 Flying Training School - RAAF Base Pearce: PC-9
Central Flying School - RAAF Base East Sale: PC-9
No. 32 Squadron - RAAF Base East Sale: King Air 350
No 25 (City of Sale) Squadron


V. Air Warfare Centre
AWC Test and Development Directorate - RAAF Base Williamtown
ARDU – RAAF Edinburgh: Various (includes C-47 Dakota used for radar trials)


NOTES

1) F/A-18D procured during the late 1990s via FMS off the US production line at the tail end of F/A-18C/D production. Aircraft are configured the same as USMC F/A-18Ds. No. 460 Squadron is focused on Night/All Weather CAS and Fast-FAC.

2) Surplus USAF F-111D purchased on initiative of the Minister of Defence without consultation with senior leadership of the RAAF. Senior officers were privately appalled by the deal as the D model was very different from the existing C and conversion to the same standard would be prohibitively expensive (the RAAF did not have the budget available to do so in any case). Instead, of the 15 purchased 4 became EF-111D ‘Spark Pigs’, 4 became trainers and 7 were retained as reserve airframes.

3) Each squadron was made up of four flights. No.13 Squadron had three MIM-104 flights and one ADATS flight, while No.30 had three ADATS and one MIM-140. During the ‘Second Confrontation’ No.13 Squadron kept at least one MIM-104 flight active. On full mobilisation, for ease of operation, No.13 would command all Patriot flights and No. 30 all ADATS.

4) 4 ex-Swissair MD-11 converted to KC-11 tankers, fitted with flying boom and 2 probe-and-drogues. Survivors of 5 Swissair MD-11, all refitted with glass cockpits and new avionics after the disastrous loss of Swissair MD-11 off Newfoundland, with all aboard. Were completed just as the airline went into liquidation. Purchased by RAAF and converted to tankers by IAI; equivalent to USAF KC-10.

[Bernard Woolley]

TOE Appendix

1st Brigade
Cavalry Regiment
Armoured Regiment (M1A1)
HQ & Administration Squadron: x2 M1A1, x1 AVLB, x1 M88
- x1 Reconnaissance Platoon with x6 M3A2
- x1 Mortar Platoon with x6 120mm SPM
X4 Armoured Squadron w/ x2 M1A1, x1 AVLB, x1 M88
- X3 Troop w/ x4 M1A1 each
Support Squadron:
X2 Infantry Battalion
HQ & Administration Company w/ x2 M2A2, x6 M3A2, x6 120mm SPM
Support Company
X4 Infantry Company w/ X13 M2A2 each
Medium Artillery Regiment
- Headquarters and Headquarters Battery
- Service Battery
- X3 Firing Batteries with x8 M109A6, x8 M992 each

Armoured Regiment (Centurion/Leopard AS1) (46 tanks)
HQ & Administration Squadron: x2 tanks
X3 Armoured Squadron w/ 14 tanks each


Defense Battalion
- Infantry Company
- Infantry Company
- Infantry Company
- Reconnaissance Company:
- Mortar Company: 81mm mortar
- Artillery Battery: x6 M2A2 105mm
- Combat Service Support Company
- Engineer Company
- Air Defense Platoon: MANPAD
- Signal Platoon
- Military Working Dog Platoon


Light Horse Regiment (Combined Arms)
- Light Horse Squadron
-- Squadron HQ: x2 Ratel
-- Motorized Infantry Company: Ratel APC
--- Company HQ: x1 vehicle
--- x3 Infantry Platoon: x3 vehicle each
-- Scout Troop: ASLAV => Ratel Recon/AT x4 [two sections with x2 each]
-- Direct Fire Troop: Auskat x4 [two sections with x2 each]
-- Artillery Battery: Rhino x3, Ammo Carrier x3
-- Air Defense Battery: Rhino Marksman (??)
-- Support Platoon: Ratel Logistics [messing, medical, supply, etc.]
- Light Horse Squadron
-- Motorized Infantry Company: Ratel APC
-- Scout Troop: ASLAV => Ratel Recon/AT
-- Direct Fire Troop: Auskat
-- Artillery Battery: Rhino
-- Air Defense Battery: Rhino Marksman (??)
-- Support Platoon: Ratel Logistics
- Light Horse Squadron
-- Motorized Infantry Company: Bushmaster / Ratel
-- Scout Troop: ASLAV x4
-- Direct Fire Troop: Rooikat x4
-- Artillery Battery: Rhino x3, Ammo Carrier x1
-- Air Defense Battery: Rhino Marksman x?
-- Support Platoon: Bushmaster / Ratel
- Support Squadron: Ratel Logistics

X9 LHR(CA)
X 12 ASLAV each = 108
X 12 Auskat-DF each = 108
X 9 Rhino-SPH each = 81

[Bernard Woolley]

SPACE RESERVED

[Johnnie Lyle]

Why didn’t the Australians just buy a Type 46?

[Bernard Woolley]

Because that would make sense and we're talking Australian Defence Procurement.
Although, on a serious note, they want something a bit more suited to their requirements than the bog-standard T46. But, not quite as big.

[Eaglenine2]

Question why does 7th Armoured Regiment equipped with Auskat-76 and 5th Armoured regiment equipped with Auskat 105?

[James1978]

Question why does 7th Armoured Regiment equipped with Auskat-76 and 5th Armoured regiment equipped with Auskat 105?

The Auskat-76 were bought direct from South Africa off a hot production line under something like an UOR.
The Auskat-105s are license production in Australia.

As the Auskat-105s came into service, the Auskat-76s were cascaded to reserve units. So the 7th Armoured Regiments and the reserve Light Horse (Combined Arms) regiments have Auskat-76s.

[Johnnie Lyle]

Because that would make sense and we're talking Australian Defence Procurement.
Although, on a serious note, they want something a bit more suited to their requirements than the bog-standard T46. But, not quite as big.

I presume, in the nature of things, a bog-standard cruiser (why don’t they have 6.1” guns?) would be cheaper than the cist of redesigning something custom?

[clancyphile]

A little disappointed the buy of Armidale-class PCs wasn't a bit larger... and no HMAS Hammersley?

[Bernard Woolley]

14 ships is a big buy in any universe! Moreover, Mark would kill me if I used that name!

[Bernard Woolley]

I presume, in the nature of things, a bog-standard cruiser (why don’t they have 6.1” guns?) would be cheaper than the cist of redesigning something custom?

How many times have defence ministries/departments ordered something that was bespoke in @? Bog-standard is often cheaper, but doesn’t always do what you need it to do. Moreover, sometimes it isn’t actually cheaper. A good example from @ is the Challenger 3, which is bespoke Vs Leopard 2A7, which is bog-standard off the shelf. Turns out that not only is CR3 looking to be cheaper per tank, but it will be a better fit for the British Army’s requirements than the Leo2A7 and be a better all round tank.

They will probably have 6.1” guns, it’s just that the Aussies use the metric system.

[James1978]

Mark can provide a more detailed/nuanced answer, but the TLWverse Australians are having flashbacks to 1941/42. As a result, they are looking to on-shore as much as possible. BAE likely made the best tech-transfer offer of the Voyager/Hobart competitors.

Beyond that there is the realization that if Australia gets involved in a coalition fight, it's going to be alongside the US, so best maximize interoperability with the US. So with Voyager/Hobart, you get a UK-designed hull with a mix of US, British, and Australian combat systems and US and British weapons.

On a wider Macro level Australia just one example of what were seeing in many advanced countries - more domestic R&D and production to keep more of the defense defense budget in the local economy.

As an aside on the Type 45, you've really got three variants in TLWverse:
- the Type 45 and Type 46 in UK service with UK weapons
- the Voyager and Hobart in Australian service with US weapons
- the Al Jubail in Saudi service, probably armed with mix of US and French weapons

[Bernard Woolley]

Interestingly, the British hull with US weapons is what the Hunter class frigates will be in @. In the TLWverse, the fact that the T45/46 has a Mk.41 VLS, rather than SYLVER makes it easier to adapt the design to use American weapons.

[clancyphile]

14 ships is a big buy in any universe! Moreover, Mark would kill me if I used that name!

That wasn't a horrible series...

[Johnnie Lyle]

I presume, in the nature of things, a bog-standard cruiser (why don’t they have 6.1” guns?) would be cheaper than the cist of redesigning something custom?

How many times have defence ministries/departments ordered something that was bespoke in @? Bog-standard is often cheaper, but doesn’t always do what you need it to do. Moreover, sometimes it isn’t actually cheaper. A good example from @ is the Challenger 3, which is bespoke Vs Leopard 2A7, which is bog-standard off the shelf. Turns out that not only is CR3 looking to be cheaper per tank, but it will be a better fit for the British Army’s requirements than the Leo2A7 and be a better all round tank.

They will probably have 6.1” guns, it’s just that the Aussies use the metric system.

It’s not always cheaper, but it’s the safe way to bet. Especially when the politicians have an attack of the vapors about how expensive things are, and so end up paying three times the price for half the product. BTDT, got the t-shirt and shitty highway.

Naval funs beyond the tertiary battery are measured in inches :p

[drmarkbailey]

Re: Australian Defence Force
Unread post by clancyphile » Sun Jul 30, 2023 4:53 am

A little disappointed the buy of Armidale-class PCs wasn't a bit larger... and no HMAS Hammersley?

BLASPHEMER!

Sorry, I promised to send around the heavy mob to steal all Jan's left socks and paint his toenails pink if he tried that one. Horrible show...

the problem with the Armidales are that they are fragile, being aluminium. They were all built to a rather low commercial standard, and they were designed for fisheries patrol out to 200nm. Instead, we actually used them in barrier patrols in open ocean. They were not designed for it and wore out very quickly. The structural cracking was awesome to behold.

Cheers: Mark

[drmarkbailey]

Johnny, I work in Navy HQ at the moment and have studied our acquisition ... aah... "policies" over the last few decades. Speaking purely historically (and I mean that very, very seriously, this is in no way a comment on post-2000 policy let alone current policy) the general trend is that acquisition has been a dog's breakfast. The main drivers of that have been a witches brew of short-term political decision impositions, poor strategic thinking by Government and Navy, intellectual shortfalls by Navy, the impact of The Long Peace, the lack of understanding that Australia's a 'pure (Corbettian) island Seapower' and the de-industrialisation embraced within the construct of the Second Globalisation, which is currently collapsing.

So in TLW-verse, all these factors remain the same in TLW-Australia until POD forces a massive and rapid change, which is (of course) a complete mess. It is critical in an AH never to impose perfect solutions, but to reflect systems that are, at best, muddling through and liberally sprinkled with mistakes.

(harrumph, RAN Seasprite project, harrumph)

No-one on this board will have failed to notice the amount of idiots in their own workplace, after all. No AH should reflect an 'idiot-free environment'. For totalitarian/oligarchic states like the Russian Federation and the PRC with their really bad information flow mechanisms feeding bad data to Government, and then add the colossal corruption of such states, and you get a good reflection of the real world in the AH.

And never, ever forget that WE are nearly as bad in terms of bad information flow and corruption as those same states. We do, however, lack their amazing ability to follow a truly, truly stupid idea to the bitter end no matter how much it hurts. OK, OK, Der Energiewende etc shows that we can be just as stupid, but even the Germans are now realising just how spectacularly dumb that was, although far too late to save their economy from titanic damage. And even they were stupid in one major part of their economy. The question for the survival of Germany today is " did they make enough other mistakes to collapse their civilisation". I'd argue "probably no": I'd not argue that with the PRC any more than I would have with the USSR.
We can often admit mistakes - they cannot, they have no ideological choice but to double down on them. Cast an eyeball over PRC population and economic policies if you don't believe me. You'll be horrified. The latest CCP thoughts to 'fix' to the demographic collapse of China is to FORCE all women to have 3-5 kids between the ages of 18 and 26. How the hell could you even do that? Banning all contraception and forcing people to have 'relations' in public? They are insane - and doubling down on their own stupid mistakes.

Cheers: mark