Indian Ocean Defence & Security (IODS)’s Post

The Australian Government has announced it will establish a consolidated Commonwealth-owned Defence Precinct at Western Australia’s Henderson shipyard, to support the build of new landing craft for the Australian Army and new general purpose frigates for the Royal Australian Navy, with requisite large vessel infrastructure to form part of the Precinct. The Precinct will also be the home of depot-level maintenance and contingency docking for Australia’s future conventionally‑armed, nuclear-powered submarines. In announcing the Precinct, the Federal Government said it would “underpin tens of billions of dollars of investment in defence capabilities in the West over the next two decades and support in the order of 10,000 well-paid, high-skilled local jobs”. To deliver the long-term program, the Australian Government and Western Australian State Government have signed a Cooperation Agreement, which provides a foundation for collaboration to deliver the Defence Precinct and related activities. This will include: - Developing a dedicated joint forum to deliver the skilled workforce required to deliver and sustain critical Defence capabilities. - Establishing the necessary infrastructure, including common user facilities, to support industry across the Defence Precinct at Henderson. - Ensuring effective engagement across Federal, State and Local governments and communities. See the Full Agreement: https://lnkd.in/g6HSkR9u The Federal Government will make an initial investment of $127 million over three years to progress planning, consultations, preliminary design and feasibility studies as well as enabling works for the Defence Precinct at Henderson. “The Albanese Government’s commitments represent the most consequential defence investment in Western Australia in nearly four decades, since the commissioning of HMAS Stirling in 1978 and its expanded role as Australia’s Indian Ocean fleet base under the 1987 two-oceans navy policy,” said Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. “The Defence Precinct at Henderson will optimise Australia’s shipbuilding and sustainment industry while supporting continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia and Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine pathway." Image courtesy of Defence

Canada announced progress on its Victoria-Class Submarine replacement program, releasing a Request for Information (RFI) to industry stakeholders. Respondents are encouraged to provide their initial feedback by November 18, 2024. Currently operated submarine fleet will remain operational into the mid-to late 2030s. Le ministère de la Défense nationale thus communicated it anticipates a contract award by 2028 and a first-unit delivery no later than 2035 to avoid any gaps in its submarine capabilities. Established in 2021 the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is valued around US$ 45 Bn. for up to 12 conventionally-powered and under-ice capable units. It is a key procurement program to ensure Marine royale canadienne's capabilities within an Arctic-Atlantic-Pacific nation but also of within a NATO member. It arouses many interests within industrials (NAVAL GROUP, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Saab Damen , Navantia, S.A., S.M.E, Hanwha Ocean, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.). Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada | Public Services and Procurement Canada highlighted that "Canada continues to meet with officials from allied and partner countries”. Could NAVAL GROUP take the opportunity of Emmanuel Macron's official visit to his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on 25th and 26th September ? https://lnkd.in/eZNYcPjH

The Dutch are buying the French Barracuda submarine: ‘The Netherlands and French shipbuilder Naval Group signed a delivery agreement today for four new Barracuda-class, diesel-electric submarines, under the Replacement Netherlands Submarine Capability (RNSC) program. “The signature of the Delivery Agreement marks the start of the program for the replacement of the Walrus-class submarines currently operated by the Royal Netherlands Navy, following a thorough evaluation and bidding process conducted by the Materiel and IT Command (COMMIT) on behalf of the Netherlands Ministry of Defense,” said Naval Group in a company statement. The four submarines are to be named Orka, Zwaardvis (Swordfish), Barracuda and Tijgerhaai (Tiger shark). The Barracuda design was initially selected by The Hague in March, ahead of Sweden’s Saab Kockums Expeditionary Submarine C718, based on the A26 Blekinge-class, and Germany’s class 212CD E from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). The first French Barracuda-class submarine, Suffren, entered service in 2022. The Orka-class submarines are set to be built in Cherbourg, France, with the first two expected to be delivered “within 10 years” of the delivery agreement being signed, said the Netherlands Ministry of Defence in March. It noted at the time that the inclusion of US Tomahawk cruise missiles will “increase striking power,” while the integration of modern sensors and communication systems also opens an opportunity to better “gather, analyse and share intelligence,” compared to legacy Walrus-class boats. “The threat is increasing all around us,” said Tuinman, in a translated, Netherlands Ministry of Defence online statement. “We are investing heavily in our striking power and our contribution to NATO. We do this based on the conviction that a credible deterrent is the best defense. We prevent war by preparing for it.”’ .:.

We welcome the Australian Government’s recent response to the Royal Australian Navy Surface Fleet Review, which details investment plans to grow a capable, resilient and competitive sovereign defence industrial base: ✅ The Australian Government has committed to increase defence funding by AU$11.1bn over the next decade. ✅ Osborne shipyard in South Australia and Henderson shipbuilding complex in Western Australia will be the epicentre of naval shipbuilding to meet Australia’s future shipbuilding needs, including the AUKUS pact. Liam Hale, Defence Sector Lead, Australia and New Zealand comments: “The AUKUS pact, combined with the surface fleet plan, is a challenging national endeavour and its success hinges on quickly developing the industrial base. This requires defence industry to establish best-in-class delivery models that solidify supply chain resilience, develop a highly skilled workforce and sustain an internationally competitive sovereign defence industry. “Australia’s experience in major programmes needs to be deployed to its fullest extent in this arena. The stakes are high, and organisationally, we need to create a high performance and collaborative culture between defence industry partners and governments at all levels to deliver the AUKUS pact with speed.” Read more: https://bit.ly/49KreSw #Australia #defence #AUKUS

Australia is making a significant move to strengthen its naval capabilities with the development of a Defence Precinct at Henderson, Western Australia. #AUKUSsubmarinepathway #AustralianArmylandingcraft #Australiandefenceinvestment #continuousshipbuildingproject #HendersonDefencePrecinct #Hendersonshipyardupgrade #navalshipbuildingAustralia #nuclearsubmarinesupport #submarinemaintenanceHenderson #WAdefenceinfrastructure #thxnews

Canada has announced it will acquire 12 conventionally-powered submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy. Submarine manufacturers that have publicly expressed interest in the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project include Hanwha Ocean, Navantia, Saab and ThyssenKrupp Marine. The announcement does not come as a surprise, as the government formally established the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project office in 2022 with the remit to investigate options for a follow-on submarine capability to replace the existing Victoria-class diesel-electric submarines, of which Canada operates four. These boats are former Upholder-class submarines of the U.K. Royal Navy. Canada purchased them in 1998, with the first arriving in 2000. The Victoria-class boats have experienced significant support and sustainability issues since their induction into service with the RCN and these problems have severely limited the fleet’s operational availability. Of the four boats, only one is typically available at a high readiness rate. Nonetheless, Canada has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to keep its submarine capability alive, thus enabling the service to maintain a cadre of submariners. Canada’s future submarine capability was a highlight of the recent Defence Policy Update titled “Our North, Strong and Free,” which the Canadian government released in April. The policy focuses primarily on the North and Arctic regions of Canada. https://lnkd.in/g2Jzs3ee

🚢 U.S. Naval Shipbuilding: A Critical Analysis of Our Maritime Future, by Hyena Enterprises Global (H•E•G) As concerns about global maritime security intensify, I wanted to share some crucial insights about U.S. naval shipbuilding investments and capabilities. Breaking Down the Numbers: • FY2023: $27.9 billion allocated for shipbuilding (11.4% of defense budget) • FY2024: $32.8 billion approved (12.2% of defense budget) - Includes $4.1 billion specifically for Littoral/near-shore capabilities - Represents the largest naval shipbuilding budget in history But here's the reality: The Congressional Research Service and naval experts indicate we're still falling short of future needs. Looking at the next five years (FY2025-2029), projections show we need: 📈 Required Investment Outlook: • FY2025: $38.2B estimated requirement • FY2026: $40.5B estimated requirement • FY2027: $42.3B estimated requirement • FY2028: $45.1B estimated requirement • FY2029: $47.8B estimated requirement Total 5-year investment needed: $213.9B Why These Numbers Matter: 1. China is rapidly expanding its naval capabilities 2. Our aging fleet requires accelerated replacement 3. New technologies demand modernization investment 4. Shipyard capacity constraints need addressing 🎯 Key Challenge: The "capability-capacity gap" between current funding and future needs represents approximately $81B over the next five years. Critical Industry Impact: • U.S. shipbuilding capacity is at 70% of required levels • Only 7 major shipyards capable of building naval vessels • Average ship construction time: 5-7 years What's at Stake? The Navy's goal of a 355-ship fleet by 2034 requires sustained investment and industry support. Without increased funding and capacity, we risk falling behind in global maritime capabilities. 💡 Question for my network: How can industry and government better collaborate to address these naval shipbuilding challenges? #Defense #DefenseIndustry #AdvancedManufacturing #NavalSecurity #Shipbuilding #MaritimeStrategy #NationalSecurity #GlobalSecurity #USNavy #DefenseBudget #DefenseManufacturing

The Australian Government has released its Enhanced Lethality Surface Combatant Fleet Report - an independent analysis of Navy's surface combatant fleet. The report provides a very clear pathway to increase the Royal Australian Navy's vessel capability in areas of strategic importance. The Federal Government has also committed to “deliver direct investment to grow a capable, resilient and competitive sovereign defence industrial base and support Australian jobs.” https://lnkd.in/gTH6NcQ2 As an Australian provider of critical sophisticated engineered components such as valves, ride control and propellers to the navy for over 30 years, VEEM is ready, willing and able to step up further and be a key part of the increased sovereign defence industrial base. VEEM looks forward to further enhancing its relationships with all the naval shipbuilders, not only in Australia, but also with our close allies in the US and UK. As with our highly successful relationship with Flowserve Corporation (UK) on the Collins Class submarine program over the last 30 years, VEEM can provide the solution for Australian sovereign capability by manufacturing in Australia under licence from overseas technical component providers. #defence #defenceindustry #ausnavy #defencecapability #defencetechnology

Australia Commits $2.2 Billion to Sustain Collins-Class Submarines NOTE: Here we go again, BIG ANNOUNCEMENT little action. There is, cuts within this spin, plus a prolonged period before any real spend and the BUDGET SURPLUS will grow A Collins Class submarine at Henderson Marine Complex, Western Australia. (Australian DoD) US Naval Warfare post Australia has made a significant commitment to the longevity of its Collins-class submarines, pledging at least AUD 2.2 billion (USD 1.44 billion) for sustainment work. A government statement released on July 27 details that this funding is part of a broader AUD 4 to 5 billion commitment to maintain the Collins-class as a potent strike and deterrence capability. The Defence Ministry has faced challenges in determining the extent of work needed to keep the Collins-class operational until the expected arrival of American-built Virginia-class submarines in the 2030s. Originally planned for retirement by 2026, the Collins boats’ operational life has been extended due to the AUKUS agreement, which has raised concerns about a potential capability gap. U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has pledged to ensure America helps plug any gap. With the government’s total commitment of AUD 4 to 5 billion for the Collins program, after allocating AUD 2.2 billion for sustainment, approximately AUD 1.8 to 2.8 billion remains for further life extension efforts. This is less than previously anticipated, as the Labor Party government of Anthony Albanese has decided to drop several expensive upgrades. A June statement noted that the Collins submarines would not be fitted with Tomahawk cruise missiles or an optronics electro-optical mast. The four-year contract for this work has been awarded to ASC Pty Ltd, a government-owned company established to build the Collins-class. Work on HMAS Farncomb, the first Collins submarine to be rebuilt, is scheduled to begin in 2026. The announcement also highlights the importance of preserving a skilled workforce capable of working on the future SSN AUKUS submarines once Australia starts building its own nuclear-powered boats. “This new contract further ensures these workers have certainty in Australia’s national naval shipbuilding and sustainment enterprise and helps to grow the workforce required to build and sustain Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarines,” stated Finance Minister Sen. Katy Gallagher. Wow, the word from underperforming Senator Katy Gallagher, no less. 2 August 2024

⚓ "STRUGGLES AT BELFAST'S TITANIC SHIPYARD REFLECT UK's FADED NAVAL POWER" ⚓ Big challenges (and many opportunities) neatly and well captured by the Observer yesterday (7/7/24): https://lnkd.in/eHEm4YBu ⚓ Some issues which I submit that the new Defence, Industry and Northern Ireland Secretaries need to get their collective and individual heads around in fairly quick order as a test case for the future direction of industrial, shipbuilding, defence, and, in this instance Northern Ireland, policy. #harlandandwolff #navalshipbuilding #fleetsolidsupportships #defenceindustrialpolicy #royalnavy #northernirelandeconomy