26 January 2006

Third HMAS Canberra to be an Assault Ship (if they're ever built)

| johnboy
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Mr. Stanhope has put out a media release celebrating the Federales decision to name one of the two planned amphibious assault ships HMAS Canberra.

Some might think it’s a little premature as the money hasn’t been allocated yet, let alone the thing being built.

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Why give Canberra it’s 4th run at the shot ?

I reckon HMAS Dubbo or HMAS Forbes are equally worthwhile, and with the tragic history of the Canberra range, that may not be such a bad thing – not that I put any stock in a name having any effect on anything whatsoever.

Nice point about the actual shells origin Mr Evil, given their current track record, it’s more probable than possible that the land of the standing monkeys fired upon their friends…

The wikipedia has a good history of the first Canberra’s tragic end.

It explains the american shellfire was to scuttle the abandoned Canberra after Japanese Long Lance torpedoes had rendered her immobile.

There’s always been some talk that HMAS Canberra (1) was actually hit by American shells in the wild melee that the Japanese Navy caused when they managed to get past the destroyer picket undetected and opened fire in amongst the Allied fleet.

Now that I think about it, giving these hypothetical ships names so early is probably a political move to try and guarantee the program.

hypothetical “amphibious assault ships” (note: the assault is amphibious, not the ship) are much easier to cancel than “Canberra” and “Adelaide”

thank you thumper the karma whore.

It is interesting that assault ships are the new capital ships now that defence planners assume command of the seas.

A few years ago they were little better than auxilliaries. Let’s hope that, should she be built, she has a long and peacefull life.

Because when push comes to shove she’s going to be a very large, valuable and slow target (especially once they flood the dock for a landing).

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