Quote:
Originally Posted by NickNZ
Interesting that the Australians have just ordered 6 (yes 6) LSTs of equal ability to Albion Class.
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The proposed LST's for the RAN (eight is the figure intended) have not yet been formally ordered Nick. We have just reached the stage where the Government has stated the preferred Designer, that being Damen.
As to them being equal in ability to an RN Albion Class LPD, they will have nowhere near that capability. They are closer to being an LSL of the long gone RFA 'Sir' Class, or less. They are actually touted as being an LCH ( Landing Craft Heavy).
For a start, they will be 100 metres long (25 metres shorter that Ships sich as RFA Sir Percivale and her Sisters. Albion and Bulwark are 176 metres in length).
Their flight deck will only be able to handle one medium sized Helicopter, no heavy lift. They have no floodable stern dock and associated heavy landing craft. They will, however, be able to load/unload a MBT via the bow ramp (70t), something I believe the old LSL's couldn't, only via the stern ramp.
Their small size provides little in the way of Command and Control facilities, unlike the Albions which have all that and more.
Whilst they will be a welcome addition to the ADF, our Government has in my opinion, failed in selecting the 100 metre version. Damen offer a 120 metre option which would have provided a substantial increase in space for vehicles/cargo, embarked troop numbers, tankage for additional fuel/range and dry stores for food etc. All essential for extending mission sustainment.
The required hull 'plug' is relatively simplistic in construction and the resulting extra capability would have come at a very modest increase in price overall.
Remember that "Steel is cheap and the air it surrounds is free".
Nige