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Old 02-02-2012, 04:12 PM
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StainlessSteelCynic StainlessSteelCynic is offline
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Location: Western Australia
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In the past our naval vessels were largely sourced from the UK and the USA, now we have other European designs plus some local designs.
For example, the submarines in the past were all sourced from the UK but the latest design, the Collins class, is an enlarged Swedish sub. The new Anzac class frigates are developed from the German MEKO 200 design. The Armidale class patrol boat is an enlarged Bay class and the Bay class is an Australian design.

As for cruisers, it's unlikely we'll see anything like that again probably because we don't have the manpower for them let alone a real strategic need for them.
As for larger fighting vessels, we will be getting only three Hobart class air-warfare destroyers (based upon a Spanish design) instead of a more effective number (4 to 6 in my opinion).

Carriers - unlikely we will see aircraft carriers again as it seems that the idea that the RAN have a Fleet Air Arm of more than just helicopters is anathema to some in the Defence Department/Government.
We are getting two Canberra class Landing Helicopter Dock carriers however and these could operate V/STOL type aircraft should the RAN be ever allowed to have some. (The Canberra class is based on a Spanish design.)
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