Surface fleet review recommendations delivered to government

Naval

03 October 2023

By: Robert Dougherty

A Port Services sailor from HMAS Stirling heaves in a line from HMAS Anzac as the ship pulls alongside Fleet Base West upon the completion of the ship's regional presence deployment 2023. Photo: ABIS Rikki-Lea Phillips

The federal government has announced receipt of the “Surface Fleet Review” independent analysis of Royal Australian Navy’s surface combatant fleet capability.

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The government will now consider the analysis and its recommendations before releasing a response in the first couple of months of next year.

The review was originally recommended by the Defence Strategic Review to provide insight into RAN surface combatant fleet size, structure, and composition to complement capabilities provided by conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

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“The independent analysis into Navy’s surface combatant fleet capability will help ensure our Navy’s surface combatant fleet is fit for purpose and appropriate for our strategic circumstances,” according to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.

“We will take the necessary time to consider this analysis to ensure we have an appropriately balanced surface fleet that contributes to a fully integrated and more capable Defence Force.”

The independent analysis was led by United States Navy Vice Admiral (Ret’d) William Hilarides, assisted by former secretary of the Department of Finance Rosemary Huxtable, and former Commander Australian Fleet, Vice Admiral Stuart Mayer.

More than 63 submissions from interested parties in Australia and internationally were used by the independent analysis team to inform its recommendations.

Representatives of 83 companies, state and territory government organisations also attended an industry briefing held in June and the IAT led more than 20 one-on-one sessions with industry, and state and territory government representatives.

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“The independent analysis team took into account advice and data from Australian industry as well as experts around the world in the development of this report,” Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy.

“The analysis and its recommendations will contribute to a robust and capable defence and shipbuilding industry.”