Australia Picks Spanish Design over US for New AAW Destroyer
Continuing the woes of the US shipbuilding industry is the latest example of its inability to compete from a price/schedule standpoint internationally. The Australians announced yesterday that they were selecting a Spanish design for the F100:
Wednesday, Howard officially announced his choice of a Spanish destroyer design for three warships in a deal worth nearly $8 billion overall. He said the Australian navy also was to be fitted with two Spanish-designed landing ships at a total cost of nearly $2 billion.
"They will greatly enhance Australia’s ability to send forces in strength when required, particularly in our own region but not, of course, restricted to our region," he said in a report by The Australian.
The already existant Spanish Navantina design was selcted over an evolved version of the Arleigh Burke based on being delivered almost three years earlier than the Burke-design at a savings of amost $1B, allowing the purchase of four ships vice three. The F100 will be equipped with the latest AEGIS suite, and would be readily upgradeable to add BMD capabilities, including carrying the SM-3 Blk1a and Blk2.
Lovely.
Perhaps our own Navy might be interested in purchasing from abroad? Seems like we’d get a better deal and faster delivery with the same weapons and sensors packages.
Just saying…. 🙄
Respects,
Yes indeed except the Spanish frigate has half the missile capacity and half the range. The structure of the vessels are not designed to the same battle standard as our ships.. As replacements for our OHP frigates they would make admirable but pricey frigates, but are no match for our Arleigh Burke destroyers.