Navy gets $11.1b boost for warships
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The news: The Albanese Government will inject more than $11 billion over the next decade into Defence to help boost the Navy’s fleet of warships from 11 to 26 vessels.
The numbers: In a statement the government said the Royal Australian Navy would receive an additional $1.7 billion over the forward estimates and $11.1 billion over the next decade. This comes on top of the government’s investment of an additional $30.5 billion to Defence’s Integrated Investment Program out to 2032-33.
This additional $11.1 billion of funding for the future surface fleet brings both acquisition and sustainment investment in the fleet to $54.2 billion in total over the next decade.
The government said the funding would also support 3,700 direct jobs over the next decade and thousands of indirect jobs for decades to come.
The Navy’s future surface combatant fleet would comprise of:
- Three Hobart class air warfare destroyers with upgraded air defence and strike capabilities
- Six Hunter class frigates to boost Navy’s undersea warfare and strike capabilities
- 11 new general purpose frigates that will provide maritime and land strike, air defence and escort capabilities; and
- Six new Large Optionally Crewed Surface Vessels that will significantly increase Navy’s long-range strike capacity
There are also six remaining Anzac class frigates, with the two oldest ships set to be decommissioned.
Another 25 minor war vessels were also approved by the government to contribute to civil maritime security operations. This included six Offshore Patrol Vessels.
The context: The funding boost followed recommendations from an independent analysis of the Navy’s surface combatant fleet, commissioned in response to the Defence Strategic Review.
The analysis said the current fleet was oldest it had operated and emphasised the need for immediate action to boost the Navy’s air defence, long-range strike, presence and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
What they said: Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said: “Australia’s modern society and economy rely on access to the high seas: trade routes for our imports and exports, and the submarine cables for the data which enables our connection to the international economy”.
“The Royal Australian Navy must be able to ensure the safety and security of our sea lines of communication and trade routes as they are fundamental to our way of life and our prosperity,” he said.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said: “This plan ensures [the] Navy’s future fleet can meet our strategic circumstances by delivering a larger and more lethal fleet sooner and secures the future of naval shipbuilding in Australia, supporting 3,700 direct jobs over the next decade and thousands of indirect jobs for decades to come”.
The source: Minister for Defence media release
