New Air Warfare Destroyers for Australia

[Sea Demon]

Originally Posted by bookworm_020

I think Indonesia and some other countries in South east asia are more on the mind in defence circles in Australia than China. The only thing that may worry them about china is there effort to obtain highly classified information by espionage, like the Aegis Radar and weapon systems.

Perhaps they have something to do with it. But not that much really. Regardless of what they say to your public or say in Australian defense circles, Aegis ships are for nations like China. The little countries like Indonesia are a pittance to deal with. One would not need Aegis ships with their multi-mission configurations and huge sensor packages and missile batteries to deal with these minor nations. Don't for one second misunderstand, these vessels, like the King Sejon DDG for South Korea are part of a larger, unspoken naval containment strategy against China. The USA doesn't admit to it either, but it's painfully obvious why the U.S. has shifted such huge amounts of naval assets to the Pacific. And why U.S. allies in the Pacific are getting these nice goodies from the USA. (ie F-35, Aegis ships, SM-3, etc.)

[Reaves]

Originally Posted by Sea Demon

The USA doesn't admit to it either, but it's painfully obvious why the U.S. has shifted such huge amounts of naval assets to the Pacific. And why U.S. allies in the Pacific are getting these nice goodies from the USA. (ie F-35, Aegis ships, SM-3, etc.)

In October 2002 Australia committed to provide $150 million for development of the F-35.

America probably could have developed it on your own but it's called a joint strike fighter because several countries are involved in development of it. Including Canada IIRC. It will be our answer to the Eurofighter. I'm certain we have added more funding than the original amount quoted above. These things always blow out of budget.

[TarJak]

Nah you guys got it all wrong. They are aimed fairly and squarely at the cruise market taking boatloads of young Australian males on drinking and sex sojurns in SE Asia, just like the rest of the Navy.:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

[Linton]

The Spanish recently took one of their ships which will be a prototype for the Oz ones on a tour of Oz.The cruise was sponsored by the ship manufacturer.I think that the best option won though.

The Navy wanted the Arliegh Burke's so typically the goverment gives them the non-prefered , less capable option.

[Sea Demon]

Originally Posted by Reaves

America probably could have developed it on your own but it's called a joint strike fighter because several countries are involved in development of it. Including Canada IIRC. It will be our answer to the Eurofighter. I'm certain we have added more funding than the original amount quoted above. These things always blow out of budget.

America did develop it on it's own. This type of aircraft stealth technology is a product of American firms from over two decades of development. Most of these allied nations are barely getting in the game. I am happy many nations are ponying up the dough with the USA to make it an affordable reality. And adding some technological value to it. But lets be honest about where the stealth application technology comes from.

Originally Posted by Skybird

Australia:
population 20.5 million

Indonesia:
population 191 million

Yep. Bad choice of words on my part. I didn't intend to speak of any population size or land mass. Instead I should have used the term militarily insignificant.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Sea Demon

Yep. Bad choice of words on my part. I didn't intend to speak of any population size or land mass. Instead I should have used the term militarily insignificant.

Oh, I am quite aware of how you meant it. I was about something different. Indonesia's population is to 86% Muslims, at least formally, because theistic religion in form of Islam is their state religion and is formally dictated by law, but many are still practicing animism. Nevertheless, their population is quite young, and thus: hot. Exactly that kind of human material that fanatics and extremist prefer to use for their purposes. Asymmetrical warfare does not depend on military technology and numbers of ships and airplanes. What makes Indoensia a potential threat is not the size of the population, but the social dynamic of the current population structure. >If< Indonesia would for some reason start to behave like Iran - of what use would be a modern Navy for Australia, then? So far they are relatively tame - this does not mean they are harmless, or will always remain to be tame. China's rise may teach them the necessity of learning to bite.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Sea Demon

. The little countries like Indonesia are a pittance to deal with.

Australia:
population 20.5 million

Indonesia:
population 191 million