Are the SEA 3000 designs still on paper? Meanwhile, LCH goes sole-source and other news

Australian Defence Magazine Podcast

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Nigel Pittaway and Ben Felton review and discuss some of the recent news of interest published on the ADM site.

We start off looking at the recent agreement for RAAF KC-30As to refuel Indian P-8Is at any time, not just in exercises, and how this will likely expand to cover their other aircraft. We also touch on India's unique position of dealing with Western countries as well as Russia, and their blue water anti-submarine capability.

The discussion then moves on to the recent down-select of SEA 3000 options to TKMS and MHI but it appears that the designs being discussed aren't really those already in the water. Certainly there will be issues such as the need to meet Australian regulations but if we're creating a new design then it could be Hunter Frigates all over again, let alone having "orphan" vessels with unique combat, radar and communications systems. There's also the question of whether this will be decided before the 2025 federal election and, if so, whether the resulting government will change the agreement afterwards.

Meanwhile, the LCH design has been awarded to Damen in the Netherlands but we note that it was as a sole-source tender with no indication of why Birdon's design, which is attacting attention from the US Army, wasn't selected. We also hope that Austal won't experience a "valley of death" between completing their remaining vessels and commencing the LCM builds which has not yet been locked in.

We wrap the episode with a discussion of Fleet Space's work with DSTG on the ASCEND2LEO program which has seen their Centauri 6 LEO satellite demonstrate data and voice for the ADF. The final observation is that the Dec/Jan issue of ADM will be arriving in January with the annual Industry Top 40 information, which should make for interesting reading.

LINKS:

RAAF signs AAR agreement with India

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/raaf-signs-aar-agreement-with-india

Project Sea 3000 down to three designs

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/project-sea-3000-down-to-three-designs

Damen design selected for LCH

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/damen-design-selected-for-lch

Fleet Space Technologies demos data and voice for ADF:

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/fleet-space-technologies-demos-data-and-voice-for-adf

------------------

The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via [e-mail] to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2024