some good insights here:
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/20 ... conundrum/

Some subtleties around the Japanese frigate that I had not heard before. On the surface, you would think the Spanish have a good shot at it. I've said that before, however...

https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/all-female-royal-australian-air-force-team-join-in-air-to-air-refueling-mission The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) celebrated International Women’s Day by deploying an all-female team to undertake an air-to-air refueling mission at the RAAF Base Amberley in Quee...

HMAS Choules fitted with CEAFAR radar https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/hmas-choules-fitted-with-ceafar-radar While Choules’ current armament of a single Phalanx Close-In Weapons Systems (CIWS) is able to engage targets independently using its own integrated radar, that radar has limite...

A few of these in the ORBAT now, all civilian crew.

Tully, North Queensland. Annual rainfall over 4000 mm.

Henderson-based Austal to build two more Evolved Cape-Class Patrol Boats for Navy https://psnews.com.au/henderson-based-austal-to-build-two-more-evolved-cape-class-patrol-boats-for-navy/128416/ One of the key elements of the government’s new plan is to grow its fleet of patrol vessels to 25 to cond...

Australian Defence Force news article: Working with partners to control the skies 21 February 24 https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2024-02-21/working-partners-control-skies For the first time, air force experts have gathered in Australia to share solutions on Airborne Early Warning and Con...

The follow-on to the Hunter class (the DDG replacement) might be a Hunter class variant (like that 96 cell 'FFG' BAE was touting).

https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2024-02-20/navys-enhanced-lethality-surface-combatant-fleet In line with independent analysis’ recommendations, Navy’s future surface combatant fleet will comprise: 26 major surface combatants consisting of: Three Hobart class air warfare destroyers...

Under the sweeping overhaul, Australia's current fleet of combat-ready warships would rise from 11 to 26, consisting of nine "Tier 1" frigates and destroyers and 11 smaller general-purpose frigates, as well as six optionally crewed vessels which will form a "Tier 2" force. https...

I accept what you have written but given the service lifespan of the current patrol vessels is replacing them really the top priority for Australia? Compared to the alternative of butchering Frigate programs which are also underway? If the current patrol vessels could carry on for another decade th...

The OPV's entire purpose is constabulary. Preventing illegal immigration and providing fisheries protection. That's why it wasn't a patrol boat or a Corvette. its entire armament consists of a planned 40 mm weapon but it will initially sail with a 25 mm weapon instead. All that was by design. The RA...

Eh. It's a good article but there is much that is contradictory floating around in that article and others. In one article, BAE is quoted as saying the towed array will go, but in this article, he says they are still doing ASW? Then he says it's all pretty cheap and with minimal design changes, apar...

I don't think anyone expected a 7000 ton design to have trouble. Not after Anzac. Someone probably should have checked BAE's homework, but part of me can hardly blame them when the 2018 version of me couldn't conceive it would be an issue.

The competition for the frigate was always about fitting a frigate around the Australian government requirements for CEA radars, SSMs and significant ESSMs. A requirement . If the T26 is having trouble incorporating that, then the trouble is the frigate, not the requirements. Not unreasonably in th...