Re: Australia Military News Thread
Are the Aussies going to be able to operate these ships simultaneously? And who's going to man them? I hope they've not bitten off more than they can chew.
Well, the 1st, the HMAS Canberra, is outfitting and getting close to being complete.
These ships are meant to replace the two Kanimbla Class amphibious vessels that the RAN operated until 2011. Originally, they were going to operate them until replaced by the Canberras.
But politicans decided they could save money by decomissioinging them both prematurely in 2011 after 17 years of service, and purchasing a used Bay Class vessel from the Royal Navy Auxillary, the Largs Bay.
In 2011, the Australian pols got a "good deal," and renamed her the Choules, and brought her to Australia where one of her two main electrical transformers involved in the ship's propulsion system promptly shorted out and failed. The second was found to be almost completely worn out, and they found there were no spares, so a new unit had to be manufactured. She was finally put in service in 2013 and expected to operate in an amphibious role unitl 2016 when the Canberra is commissioned.
Now the RAN knows why the UK wanted to get rid of her after only FIVE YEARS OF USE! She was originally commissioned by the UK in 2006. This is what officious bureaucrats and politicans do who have little knowledge of operational requirements and who slash willy nilly in an effort to save costs but end up costing more.
Both of the Kanimbla class were both former US Navy Newport Class LSTs.
The Canberra LPDs require a crew of 358 personnel to operate and can then also embark 1,000 tropps as needed. The Kanimblas have a crew of 240 personnel and can carry 450 troops. So they will need some more sailors than what they currently have for the two. I presume they have plenty of soldiers to place on either as the need arises.
The Kanimbla vessels went through a significant overhaul and refit in 1996 to change their operational capabilities and duties, going from LST to more of a Amhibios and air assault vessel the RAN calls a LPA.
The bow doors and long landing ramps characteristic of the Newport Class LST were removed. A large hangar for up to three Sea King or four Blackhawk helicopters was added to the aft deck and that helciopter landing deck strengthened and enlarged. The forward deck was converted to carry two LCM-8 landing craft, which are launched and recovered by a 70-ton crane. That area can also function as a third helicopter landing spot when the LCMs are either deployed or not present. Accommodation were increased to provide room for up to 450 troops. Finally, improved medical facilities and an upgraded galley were created.
Here's how the Newport Class looked in US service:
Here's how the Kanimbla class looks after the conversion:
Anyhow, I believe the plan is to operate both of the Canberras concurrently in the same manner that the Kanimblas were operated, and then would only have one availabe during periods of maintenance, refit, or overhaul.
The Canberra, LHD-02 is supposed to be commissioned in 2016 with the Adelaide following 1-2 years later.