So the Surface Fleet Review and Govt response is finally here. A thread on what it says and what it might mean. 1/

defence.gov.au/about/reviews-…
As predicted, there will be a new class of 11 general purpose frigates, which will replace the Anzacs. The Hunter programme will be cut to 6 hulls. To add firepower 6 Large Optionally Crewed Vessels will be acquired. 2/

Australian defence review maps - back to the future.
Starting with the 2023 DSR

🧵 The 1976 Defence White Paper - looks pretty familiar

I have finally got out of teaching (on Australian naval ship design!) and had time to read the ANAO report on the Hunter Class frigate. A 🧵of few highlights and thoughts 1/
anao.gov.au/work/performan… Firstly, there is some real light shone on the decision making process, and it doesn’t look great. In Feb 2016 the Defence Secretary noted that the Fincantieri and Navantia options were considered ‘the two most viable designs’ 2/

A few initial thoughts on the AUKUS announcement, setting out what was said, the benefits and risks, and what it might mean for Australia – a 🧵 1/ Firstly, what is the deal – as expected it has 3 parts – 1)🇺🇸 & 🇬🇧 subs being based in 🇦🇺 from 2027, with upgrade of Aus facilities eventually including maintenance of SSNs. The existing Collins subs will undergo a life-of-type-extension in Adelaide 2/

abc.net.au/news/2023-03-1…

A few more coherent thoughts about the AUKUS SSN rumours/revelations from yesterday. A 🧵 1/ Stage 1 – Basing of US (& UK?) subs in Australia. This was widely anticipated and makes a lots of sense. It will be a quick tangible outcome for AUKUS in an agreement that is otherwise long on promises and short on deliverables. It should also help the RAN’s training pipeline 2/

So this...
reuters.com/business/aeros… and this...??

theguardian.com/world/2023/mar…

Pleased that my latest article looking at the impact on maritime strategy of the shift towards autonomous vessels is out in @PolicyMarine It’s also open access and FREE

A short 🧵 on the major argument 1/

sciencedirect.com/science/articl… Recent years have seen a dramatic growth in interest in large uncrewed vessels, such as the US Sea Hunter, from navies around the world as the technology has matured 2/

Typically @alessionaval does a better job here than any politician or naval officer at giving a potential rationale and purpose for the AUKUS agreement.

A must read, but I do have certain reservations 1/

…curityanddefenceplus.plusalliance.org/essays/aukus-a… On a basic level I think this set out what informed commentators and some in the policy making community think AUKUS should become - which is not exactly the same as what it is/was.

“This was about Australia acquiring the power to pose a direct threat to China’s forces and the Chinese mainland”

Very interesting revelations on AUKUS today, which if true, have significant implications.

A short 🧵 1/

smh.com.au/politics/feder… The RAN has traditionally viewed submarines in terms of sea control and sea denial. The 2020 Force Structure Update framed the role of submarines in terms of the need ‘to safeguard Australia’s maritime approaches and sea lines of communication’ 2/

defence.gov.au/about/publicat…