21 June 2007

Two Canberras for the price of three

| Ntp
Join the conversation
10

Yes, at long last the winner of the Canberra Class Large Amphibious Ship project has been announced with Spanish company Navantia in conjunction with Australian company Tenix getting the go ahead to build two of the ships.

The bad news, they are costing 50% more than initially planned at “A$3 billion, instead of the original budget figure of $2 billion.” What’s a billion more of less between friends. I just hope they end up being able to do what they want them to.

Join the conversation

10
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

Noteworthy only if they actually get into the air. Our current air capability is already superior.

The only triple-redundancy plan the Defence Force needs is related to safety-catches on firearms.

neanderthalsis1:38 pm 22 Jun 07

Or Mael, could be because we are surrounded (to the north at least) by countries equipped or in the process of refitting with late generation Russian aircraft such as the Su30 & SU 27.

hmmm yeah, on account of all the fighers in the Somali, no make that East Timor, no make that Bogainville, no make that Iraqi, no make that Rowanda, yes the Rowandan air force of impeccable standards, which consists of a clapped out cessna and a couple of converted weed spraying helicopters.

Forrest Gump has a quote for this. “Mama said stupid is what stupid does.”

Apparently the new amphibious ships are a nice fit with the new air warfare destroyers. I’m sure the foreign language translation won’t be an issue where it really matters – the combat systems are being done in Adelaide, and I think some of the other ship-building work is happening in Melbourne. Apparently 55% of the ship-building for the air warfare destroyers is happening in Australia, which is good for our own economy given the total project cost.

Of course they’ll do what they need them to do. Instead of spending the first five years of fleet life translating from russian instructions, they’ll be busy translating it from spanish.

At least Port should be recognisable, but Starboard will read something like Starboardo. Going real fast will read something like ‘andre-andre reeba-reeba’.

DarkLadyWolfMother8:13 am 22 Jun 07

I hope they do what they need them to do…

Its an interesting purchase because its primary use is as an aggressor not in defense. So its going to be interesting to see what the Indos think.

VYBerlinaV8 now_with_added grunt9:39 pm 21 Jun 07

Wow, a big defence project went way over budget. Imagine that!

I was surprised to see the Spanish win. Good decision. Congrats to whoever managed to ignore/deflect/dissuade any political influence from the Yanks.

Same sort of increases as the Canberra building trade…kind of fitting then isn’t it?

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.