SSN Kulübüne Avustralya da mı Katılıyor?

Hindistan'ın ilk nükleer denizaltısını denize indirme hazırlıklarını yaptığı sırada, Asya - Pasifik'in yükselen gücü Avustralya'da da bu konudaki tartışmalar tekrar alevlendi.

Halihazırda 6 adet Collins sınıfı dizel elektrik sınıfı denizaltıya sahip olan Avustralya, kısa süre önce açıklanan 20 yıllık tedarik planı uyarınca filosunu iki katına çıkartacak, yani 12 adet denizaltı inşa edecek. Collins sınıfı, dizel elektrik denizaltılar arasında tonaj bakımından en büyük tasarımlardan biri; İsveç Kockums tersanesi ile birlikte geliştirilmişlerdi.

Avustralya'nın gerek deniz ilgi ve menfaat alanının genişliği gerekse bölgesel güç olma iddiasını dayanak alan bazı çevreler, uzun süredir nükleer tahrikli denizaltı inşasını savunmakta. Bu konuda Avustralya deniz kuvvetleri, savunma sanayii ve politika çevrelerinde güçlü isimler lobi yapmakta. Buna karşılık nükleer tahrikli denizaltı tedariğinin bölgede gereksiz bir silahlanma yarışını tetikleyebileceğini öne süren kesimler mevcut. Ancak ilginçtir, her iki cephe de, yeni denizaltı geliştirilmesinde ABD ile yakın işbirliğini savunmakta.

Ne var ki yeni açıklanan savunma tedarik planı, üretilecek 12 denizaltının konvansiyonel tahrikli olmasını öngörüyor. Bu plana itirazlar gecikmedi.

Avustralya son yıllarda savunma alımlarına geniş pay ayırmakta ve son derece modern silah sistemleri tedarik etmekte. Boeing 737-700MESA Wedgetail Havadan Erken İhbar ve Kontrol (HEİK) uçağı tedariği, 24 adet F/A-18F Super Hornet, MRH-90 genel maksat helikopteri, Hobart sınıfı hava savunma destroyeri, Canberra sınıfı LPH, M-1 Abrams sadece ilk etapta akla gelen projeler. Önümüzdeki 20 yılda savunma bütçesi her yıl artarak büyüyecek.

Bu kapsamda, nükleer denizaltı tartışmaları önem kazanıyor, zira Asya - Pasifik bölgesinde denizaltında çok yoğun bir hareketlilik yaşanmakta:

Singapur kısa süre önce İsveç'ten 2 adet A-17 Vastergötland sınıfı denizaltının ilkini, Archer adı ile hizmete aldı. A-17 sınıfı, devredilmeden önce Yunanistan'ın Tip 209 / 1200 sınıfına Neptune II projesi ile yaptığına benzer şekilde gövdesi uzatılarak AIP havadan bağımsız tahrik kabiliyeti kazandı. Stirling motoru ile donatılan Archer sınıfı denizaltılar Singapur'un gereksinimlerine göre modern atış kontrol sistemleri ile donatıldı.

Endonezya yeni nesil dizel elektrik denizaltı için önce Rusya'ya yönelmişti ancak gelen son haberlere göre Güney Kore'den Tip 209 tedariğinin olasılığı artmış durumda.

Malezya Scorpene sınıfı denizaltıları hizmete almaya başladı.

Çin'in özellikle SSBN ve SSN filosunu genişletmeye yönelik çalışmaları devam ediyor.

Arihant adlı ilk nükleer denizaltısını denize indirmeye hazırlanan Hindistan, Rusya'dan kiraladığı Nerpa adlı Akula tipi nükleer denizaltıyı bu sene sonlarına doğru hizmete alacak. Kilo sınıfı denizaltıları, ziyadesiyle uzayan yarı ömür modernizasyonunda olan ve bu projede sıkıntılar yaşayan Hindistan, 6 adet Scorpene üretecek. Scorpene'lerden 3'ü MESMA AIP tahrik sistemine sahip olacak.

Agosta 90B'ler ile AIP kabiliyetine sahip olan Pakistan'ın 3 adet Tip 214 alımı söz konusu.

Tayvan uzun süredir dizel elektrik denizaltı konusunda ABD nezdinde lobi yapmakta.

Güney Kore'nin güçlü bir Tip 209 filosu bulunmakta. Halen devam eden 3 adet Tip 214 (KSS-2) inşa projesi, 6 adetlik opsiyonun işletilmesi ile devam edecek. 3,000t deplasmanlık özgün tasarım KSS-3 şimdilik rafa kaldırılmış durumda.

Bölgesinde ciddi etkinlik iddiasında olan Avustralya'nın bu ortamda denizaltı savunma harbi teknolojilerine yatırım yapması kaçınılmaz oluyor: P-8A Poseidon projesine ortak olarak katılım da bunun bir uzantısı. ABD'nin P-8 filolarının büyük kısmını Pasifik bölgesinde konuşlandırma planı da bir tesadüf değil elbet...

Aşağıda bu konu ile ilgili Avustralya'daki tartışmalara örnek olarak iki haber var. Önümüzdeki dönemde Pasifik'teki suların daha da ısınması muhtemel gibi...

Navy 'must rule out nuclear subs'

Cameron Stewart | December 27, 2007

THE Rudd Government is under pressure to rule out nuclear submarines as a future option for the Royal Australian Navy.

The Defence Department plans to examine the feasibility of nuclear-powered submarines as part of its studies into the next generation of submarines to replace the conventionally powered Collins-class fleet from 2025.

The Australian revealed yesterday that Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon had ordered planning to begin for the submarine replacement project - the longest and most expensive defence project undertaken in Australia.

The new submarines are considered essential to counter an expected arms race in the Asian region as Indonesia, China and India seek to expand their submarine fleets.

Defence says all options for the new submarines will be considered and it is too early to rule anything in or out, including the controversial nuclear option.

Opposition defence spokesman Nick Minchin said the Government should immediately reject the option of nuclear submarines.

"Australia has no capability or expertise to build or maintain nuclear submarines and the Collins-class boats have proved that conventional submarines can do the job," Senator Minchin said. "Rather than have a distracting debate, Labor should just rule out the nuclear option now."

While refusing to rule out the nuclear option, Mr Fitzgibbon yesterday played down the prospect of the navy acquiring a nuclear submarine fleet. "Without pre-empting the outcome of various studies, I note that Australia has been able to maintain a capability edge in the submarine area using conventionally powered boats and I expect we will be able to do so in the future," he told The Australian.

Nuclear-powered submarines are three times more expensive than conventional diesel-powered vessels and are more complex and costly to maintain. But they are faster than conventional submarines and can travel indefinitely underwater without having to surface every few days as the diesel-powered vessels do.

Submarine Institute of Australia president Peter Briggs welcomed the Government's commitment to build a new generation of submarines but said they should be conventional.

"I think they should rule out the nuclear option because frankly we do not have time for such a major debate if we are to deliver new submarines by 2025," Mr Briggs said.

'Australia has no nuclear industry and no nuclear facilities at our universities, and so we don't have the personnel or the knowledge required."

Australia Defence Association executive director Neil James said Defence was right to examine the option of acquiring nuclear submarines, but that it was unlikely the nuclear option would ultimately be accepted.

The 17-year submarine replacement project could cost up to $25billion, according to the independent think tank the Kokoda Foundation.

Defence will canvass a range of futuristic options for the new submarines, which are expected to be capable of carrying long-range cruise missiles and futuristic mini-subs.

The unmanned mini-subs will be capable of being launched from the "mother" submarine, giving greater overall protection while also increasing the options for attack.

These remote-controlled vehicles can be sent many kilometres away from the mother ship to search for other submarines, gather intelligence or even transport an SAS team to a secret location.

Planning for the new fleet will begin immediately with the aim of gaining "first pass" approval for the design phase from cabinet's National Security Committee in 2011.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22974718-2702,00.html

Lobby calls for nuclear submarines

Brendan Nicholson

July 17, 2009

AN INFLUENTIAL defence lobby group says Australia's 12 new submarines should be nuclear powered to give them the range and speed to carry out extended patrols far away off North Asia.

The Navy League says the rejection of nuclear propulsion for the submarines in the recent defence white paper was "hasty and unconsidered" and "an absurd decision when one remembers we are one of the largest exporters of uranium".

Four nations that operate in the Indian and Pacific oceans, Russia, China, India and the United States, operate nuclear submarines, says the league in the latest edition of its publication The Navy. "If Australia is to maintain its technological edge it too should opt for nuclear propulsion," it says.

The league, which includes many retired senior officers, has urged the Federal Government to reverse the decision that the submarines would be conventionally powered.

It says nuclear submarines are much faster and have very much longer range than conventional boats, and Australia, in particular, needs that range if it is to send submarines far into the North China Sea.

Asked yesterday if a rethink was likely, a Defence spokesman referred The Age to the white paper and said nothing had changed. That document said that "the Government has ruled out nuclear propulsion for these submarines".

Defence specialists told The Age that without a nuclear industry in Australia, building and running nuclear submarines would be extremely difficult.

Analyst Andrew Davies, of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said Australia had neither the political will nor the technical capability to field a nuclear submarine in the foreseeable future.

"Given the challenges that lie ahead in the development of Australia's future subs, we shouldn't waste time and energy pursuing the idea," Dr Davies said.

The league says the Government wanted a new submarine that was able to travel very long distances secretly, and that a nuclear submarine could do that much more effectively than a conventional one.

It points out that China is building its own nuclear ballistic missile submarines and attack submarines used to destroy ships and other submarines.

Retired rear admiral Andrew Robertson said nuclear submarines had unlimited endurance and could operate for as long as their crews were able to man them.

"They can circumnavigate the world submerged at high speed," he said.

He said the lack of civil industrial back-up was not insurmountable. He said skilled technicians would be needed in the navy and its supporting industries, but that the latest nuclear submarines did not need reactor refuelling in their entire lives and this reduced the support they needed.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/lobby-calls-for-nuclear-submarines-20090716-dmxr.html

Avustralya'nın Yeni Savunma Tedarik Planı

Avustralya hükümeti, önümüzdeki 20 yıllık süreç için planlanan savunma tedarik planını yeni “Defending Australia in the Asia-Pacific Century: Force 2030” başlıklı beyaz kitap (White Paper) ile kamuoyuna açıkladı.

Yaklaşık 70 milyar Avustralya Doları (51 milyar ABD Doları) tutarındaki plan, 2010 – 2030 dönemi içerisinde Avustralya Savunma Kuvvetleri (Australian Defence Force; ADF) için çok sayıda yeni sistem alımı ile Araştırma Geliştirme projeleri ve dönüşüm faaliyetlerinin finanse edilmesini kapsıyor.

Yeni tedarik planı, Avustralya’nın Asya Pasifik’teki güç iddiasının ve ABD müttefikliğinin önemli bir yansıması niteliğinde.

Planın öne çıkan maddeleri şu şekilde:

- 100 adet F-35 Lightning II alımı

- 12 adet yeni nesil denizaltı alımı: Envanterdeki 6 adet Collins sınıfı dizel elektrik denizaltının yerine. Bu ihtiyaç çerçevesinde bir ara nükleer denizaltı tedariği de gündeme gelmişti.Denizaltı, sonar ve torpido teknolojileri alanlarında ABD ile çok sayıda müşterek ArGe projesi mevcut. Denizaltı sayısının iki katına çıkartılacak olması son derece dikkat çekici: Endonezya, Vietnam, Malezya ve Hindistan gibi Asya – Pasifik ülkelerinin bu alanda yaptıkları yoğun yatırımlar da hesaba katılırsa, bölgede yoğun bir denizaltı yarışının söz konusu olduğu iddia edilebilir.

- 8 adet yeni nesil firkateyn tedariği: ANZAC sınıfı yerine.

- Deniz Kuvvetleri için 24 yeni DSH (Denizaltı Savunma Harbi) helikopteri ve 6 adet MRH-90 genel maksat helikopteri tedariği,

- 20 adet OPV (Offshore Patrol Vessel) kıyı karakol teknesi

- 6 adet büyük çıkarma gemisi

- 1 adet lojistk destek ve ikmal gemisi

- Devam eden 3 adetlik Hobart sınıfı hava savunma destroyeri projesi kapsamındaki opsiyon olarak dördüncü geminin tedariği

- 8 adet yeni deniz karakol uçağı: Boeing üretimi P-8 Poseidon

- 7 adet HALE (High Altitude Long Endurance) İHA sistemi tedariği

- 2 adet ilave C-130J nakliye uçağı alımı

- 10 adet taktik nakliye uçağı: Envanterdeki DHC-4 Caribou yerine

- Kara Kuvvetleri için 1,100 civarında taktik araç, 7,000 civarında destek, istihkâm aracı ile kundağı motorlu ve çekili obüs.

- Yeni Chinook helikopterleri: Acustralya kısa süre önce 560 milyon ABD Doları tutarında 7 adet CH-47F için ABD nezdinde FMS sürecini başlattı.

- Eğitim ve simülasyon sistemlerine hatırı sayılır ölçüde yatırım: çok sayıda simülasyon merkezi, ki bunların arasında müşterek elektronik harp eğitim merkezi kurulması da var.

- Siber harekâtlar için altyapı ve personel yatırımı; ABD’deki Cyber Command muadili bir merkez kurulması.

- İstihbarat ve gözetleme uydusu tedariği

ABD'nin P-8A Posedion Üs Kararı ve Düşündürdükleri

ABD'nin Boeing 737-800 yolcu uçağı platformu üzerine geliştirdiği ve meşhur P-3 Orion Deniz Karakol Uçağı'nın (DKU) yerin alacak; kısa süre önce de Hindistan tarafından da sipariş edilen P-8A Poseidon DKU ile ilgili bir haber ve bu haberle ilgili yapılan bir yorum oldukça dikkatimi çekti.

ABD Deniz Kuvvetleri resmî web sitesindeki bu habere göre, P-8 DKU şu şekilde konuşlandırılacak: Biri ihtiyat 5 filo Florida, Jacksonville Üssü, 4 filo Whidbey Island Üssü, 3 filo Hawaii.

Ayrıca P-8'ler Guam ve muhtemelen Japonya'yadaki üslere de periyodik intikaller gerçekleştirecekler.

Bu, şu anlama gelmekte: Toplam 12 operasyonel P-8A Poseidon filosunun 4'ü Atlantik, 7'si Pasifik bölgesinde konuşlandırılmış olacak.

Bu da kanımca, başta Çin faktörü olmak üzere, ABD açısından aslî (deniz) tehdit odağının Asya-Pasifik'e kaymış olduğunun en bariz göstergelerindendir.

İlgili haber aşağıdadır.

P-8A Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft Homebasing Announced

Story Number: NNS090102-01
Release Date: 1/2/2009 11:51:00 AM

From the Department of Defense

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Department of the Navy announced Jan. 2 its decision to provide facilities and functions to base five fleet squadrons of the P-8A Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) with a fleet replacement squadron (FRS) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Fla., four fleet squadrons at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., and three fleet squadrons at Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, with periodic squadron detachment operations at NAS North Island.

This decision implements the preferred homebasing alternative 5 identified in the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the Introduction of the P-8A Multi-Mission Aircraft into the U.S. Navy Fleet (published November 2008).

Introduction of the P-8A MMA squadrons is projected to begin no later than 2012 and be completed by 2019.

The notice of availability of the Navy's record of decision (ROD) was published in the Federal Register on Dec. 31, 2008 and the ROD is available for public viewing on the project Web site at http://www.mmaeis.com <http://www.mmaeis.com/> along with copies of the FEIS and supporting documents.

This action is needed to transition from existing P-3C aircraft to the P-8A MMA while maintaining the Navy's overall maritime patrol capability supporting national defense objectives and policies without interruption or impediment to operations or combat readiness.

Ultimately, this action will include a total of 84 fleet and FRS aircraft.

Avustralya'da Nükleer Denizaltı Tartışmaları

Avustralya'dan The Age adlı haber sitesinde yer alan makaleye göre, Avustralya Savunma Bakanlığı'ndaki denizaltı tedarik dairesi başkanı Amiral Peter Briggs ve ülkenin önde gelen savunma analistlerinden Allan Behn'in hazırlayıp başbakan John Howard'a sunduğu raporda, Avustralya'nın bölgesindeki krizlere daha çabuk müdahale edebilmesi için nükleer tahrikli denizaltılara yönelmesi tavsiye ediliyor.

Muhalefet lideri Kim Beazley ise Avustralya'nın nükleer tahrikli denizaltılara sahip olmasına şiddetle karşı çıkmakta. Dolayısıyla olayın siyasi yönü de ağırlık kazanmakta.

Avustralya Deniz Kuvvetleri'nde halihazırda 6 adet Collins sınıfı dizel elektrik tahrikli denizaltı bulunuyor.

Submarine fleet 'should go nuclear'

Katharine Murphy
September 5, 2006


AUSTRALIA must consider commissioning a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, a submission to the nuclear taskforce says. The move will be necessary to deal with complex security pressures emerging within the region over the next two decades.

The former head of the navy's submarine team, Rear Admiral Peter Briggs, and one of Australia's top national security analysts, Allan Behm, claim the national debate on nuclear energy allows Australia to consider seriously the advantages of acquiring nuclear-powered submarines to replace the Collins class.

In a submission to John Howard's nuclear taskforce, they argue the current and emerging security imperatives of the region, which will require Australia's defence forces to respond to "short-notice contingencies" over the next 15 to 20 years, favour nuclear-powered fleets.

"Nuclear propulsion allows the submarine to proceed covertly at high speed … and greatly reduces the risk of counter detection of the submarine."

The men warn Australia will not be able to secure such a controversial shift in defence procurement policy without bipartisan political support.

Opposition Leader Kim Beazley was the architect of the Australian Navy's program that developed the Collins-class submarine while serving as defence minister in the Hawke government in the mid-1980s.

But Mr Beazley has declared his party will oppose any move by the Howard Government to develop a nuclear power industry in Australia.

"Without (the foundation of bipartisanship) any discussion about the need for nuclear power for Australia's submarine capability is likely to be poorly directed and at risk of derailing the fundamental need to start preparations for replacing this critical national capability," Admiral Briggs and Mr Behm say.

The controversial argument in favour of Australia considering nuclear-propelled warships is made in a submission to an inquiry headed by former Telstra chief Ziggy Switkowski.

The inquiry has published about 200 submissions considering arguments for and against Australia developing a domestic nuclear industry. It will report to the Government in November.

Link

Avustralya'nın İlave NH-90 Siparişi

Avustralya 12 adet NH-90'a ilave olarak 34 adet daha sipariş veriyor. Bu 34 adetlik paket Sea King ve Black Hawk helikopterlerinin yerine geçecek. Envantere girmeye başlayan Tiger'lar da düşünülecek olursa Avustralya LPD ihalesinde hangi adayın avantajlı konuma geçtiği tahmin edilebilir.

Bu ek sipariş ile birlikte Eurocopter - Avustralya işbirliği daha da gelişmiş görünüyor.

İlgili haberler aşağıdadır (vurgular tarafımdan eklenmiştir):

MRH 90 to Replace Sea King and Black Hawk Helicopters

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued June 19, 2006)

I am pleased to announce that Government has approved a $ 2 billion acquisition of thirty-four MRH 90 helicopters to replace Navy's Sea King and Army's Black Hawk helicopters.

The selection of the MRH 90 complements the Government's decision in 2004 to acquire an initial twelve MRH 90 helicopters as Army's additional troop lift helicopter. Delivery of the first twelve is scheduled from December 2007 through to December 2009.

The 34 additional MRH 90s will be assembled in Brisbane. When delivered, the MRH 90s will be based at RAAF base Townsville, Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney and HMAS Albatross in Nowra. A contingent will also be based at a joint training facility at Oakey in Queensland.

The new twin-engine troop lift helicopters will provide opportunities for joint fleet management. These benefits include greater operational flexibility and efficiency through common operational, training and logistic systems and a capability to rotate personnel, aircraft, spare parts and role-specific equipment between troop lift, special operations and maritime support commitments.

The MRH 90 is an extremely capable helicopter featuring a modern damage-tolerant design, a large cabin volume with ramp and enhanced levels of marinisation.

The Sea Kings will be retired in 2010, followed by the Black Hawks which will be progressively replaced between 2011 and 2015.

As these MRH 90 aircraft will be assembled in Australia this acquisition of at least 34 aircraft will provide significant opportunities for Australian industry and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will gain an operating capability within a relatively short time-frame.

The emphasis of the Australian industry package, worth A$1.2 billion , is on the development and sustainment of critical aircraft mission system capability. The long term viability of the Australian MRH 90 assembly line will be maximized, ensuring greater development of the skill base required to support the MRH 90 into the future through a strategy aimed at promoting Australian industry as part of the Eurocopter global supply chain.

New Major Order for Eurocopter in Australia: The Federal Government Signs for 34 MRH-90s

(Source: Eurocopter; issued June 19, 2006)(Edited to add correction)

Eurocopter is once again selected by the Australian government to fulfill the Army helicopter needs. An agreement was concluded today in Canberra between the Australian Defence Materiel Organisation and Australian Aerospace, a Eurocopter subsidiary, for 34 MRH-90s to the benefit of the Australian Defence Force.

The contract, which has not yet been signed, is worth 1.17 billion euros.

This decision comes less than two years after the Federal Government ordered the first 12 MRH-90s as additional troop lift helicopters. Already in December 2001, Eurocopter was selected to provide 22 Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARH) to the Australian Army.

Eurocopter warmly welcomes this decision, which confirms the leadership of its products in the military sector and the trustworthy relationship it has built with the Australian government.

The MRH-90s, the world's most advanced medium-lift helicopter, was chosen ahead of the Black Hawk. It will now be stepped up at Australian Aerospace's Brisbane plant. Through-life support services also will take place in Australia.

Expanding local production and support for the MRH-90s will make Australia one of the cornerstones of the global supply chain of the Eurocopter network, which includes Australian Aerospace.

Together, the two MRH-90 contracts will generate 400 highly skilled jobs in Australia and will inject A.1 billion into the Australian economy.

Eurocopter CEO, Fabrice Bregier, said: "this additional order confirms not only the superiority of the NH-90 in its class but also the strong links developed between Eurocopter and its Australian partners. It will be a major step ahead for the Australian industry and is fully in line with the worldwide expansion strategy of Eurocopter, which consists in developing long term industrial partnerships with major customer countries."

The Australian version of the NH-90, called MRH-90, is a truly multi-role helicopter which carries more troops and more equipment, further and faster than other helicopters of the same weight. It can be configured in more ways and is fully interoperable with NATO and Coalition forces. The MRH-90 is ideal to operate from land and sea. Its composite construction means there is no corrosion. It is easy and quick to maintain and spends a greater percentage of its operational life in the air than other helicopters in this class.

The NH90 is the biggest helicopter programme ever launched in Europe, with firm orders for 357 units and options for a further 187. Customer countries which have placed firm orders are France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Greece, Oman and Australia. The latest countries to have officially selected the NH90 are New Zealand, Spain and Belgium. Due to its inherent multi-role capability, the NH90 is able to fulfil a large variety of missions and has been selected for Army, Air Force, Navy and SAR services by the respective customer nations.

In Australia, Eurocopter, through Australian Aerospace and its Regional Centre of Excellence in Brisbane, assembles, tests, supplies, maintains, modifies and enhances civil and military aircraft for the Australian and export markets. Currently, it is assembling and delivering 18 of the 22 Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters to the Australian Army, to be followed by 42 of the 46 MRH-90s for the troop and utility lift role. At the same time, Australian Aerospace assembles and delivers the EC120 Colibri light civil helicopter for customers throughout the Asia Pacific region, as well as supporting the more than 350 Eurocopter helicopters currently active in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Australian Aerospace recently announced plans to invest a further A million in a state-of-the-art composite fibre manufacturing plant in Queensland

Created in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, one of the top three aerospace companies in the world. The group employs 13,000 people. Its strong worldwide presence is insured by its 16 subsidiaries located on the five continents, along with a network of distributors and certified agents. 9,500 Eurocopter helicopters are currently operating in 139 countries on behalf of some 2,500 customers. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military range in the world. The group now accounts for 30% of the world market. In 2005, Eurocopter secured its position as the world's No. 1, with a turnover of 3.2 billion euros up by 15% over the 2004 turnover – with orders for 401 new helicopters, once again leading the way in the civil and parapublic sectors with a 52% market share.

Avustralya LPD Projesi

Avustralya Savunma Bakanlığı, bugün yaptığı açıklama ile iki adet LPD tedariğini kapsayan projeye start verdiğini duyurdu.

Yayınlanan teklife çağrı dosyası, ilki 2012 yılında hizmete girmek üzere HMAS Canberra ve HMAS Adelaide isimli iki adet LPD'nin tedarik edilmesini içeriyor.

Avustralya'dan ADI firması Fransız Armaris ile, Fransız Donanması için üretilen 22,000t Mistral sınıfının bir versiyonu için, Tenix firması ise İspanyol Navantia firması ile bu firmanın 27,000t LPD tasarımının bir versiyonunu önermek için işbirliği yaptılar.

Envantere girecek gemiden beklenen başlıca teknik özellikler şöyle:

- 1000 personel
- 6 adet helikopter iniş noktası
- Nakliye ve taarruz / taktik keşif helikopter taşıma kabiliyeti
- M1 Abrams dahil azami 150 araç taşıma kabiliyeti
- Tam teşekküllü hastane

Söz konusu savunma bakanlığı duyurusu aşağıdadır

Requests for Tender for $2 Billion Amphibious Ships Released to Australian Industry

I am pleased to announce that Requests for Tender for the $2 billion large amphibious ships project have been released today. The two ships, to be named HMAS Canberra and Adelaide, are scheduled to enter service with the Royal Australian Navy from 2012.

This is a major milestone in the process that will lead to final project approval and ship builder and design selection early next year. It comes after an intensive design development effort by Defence and the two competing designers, in which the designs have been adapted to meet specific Australian legislative and regulatory requirements.

Two Australian companies - ADI and Tenix - will team with the designers to compete for the contract to supply the ships. ADI will team with the French designer Armaris, and Tenix with the Spanish designer Navantia.

The Tenix-Navantia team will propose a variation of the Navantia 27,000 tonne design, while ADI-Armaris will propose a variation of the Armaris 22,000-tonne Mistral class.

Both prospective designs offer a quantum leap over our current capability and satisfy Government's strategic guidance. Selection of the preferred consortium to construct the ships will be determined on value for money grounds.

The tender documentation will allow bidding companies to:

* Submit fixed price bids;
* Bid through life support solutions, and;
* Provide innovative solutions to improve price and schedule.

Australian industry stands to benefit considerably from this project of national significance.

Each ship will have the ability to transport up to 1000 personnel, have six helicopter landing spots and a provision for a mix of troop lift and armed reconnaissance helicopters. It will also be able to transport up to 150 vehicles including the new M1A1 Abrams tank and other elements of the Hardened and Networked Army.

Each ship will also be equipped with medical facilities, including two operating theatres and a hospital ward.

The project will allow the Australian Defence Force to perform a range of tasks, including regional disaster relief, delivering humanitarian aid, support for peace operations, and assistance to policing or military operations.

This investment part of the Howard Government's commitment of $28.5 billion in increased spending on Defence capability over the 10-year period to 2010, building on the 2000 White Paper commitment to increase Defence funding by three per cent annually, in real terms, until 2010/11.

source: MOD Australia