Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia

Defence White Paper - Naval Aviation

2 May 2009

The Australian Government has announced plans to increase the combat aviation capability of the Royal Australian Navy, through the acquisition of a fleet of at least 24 advanced new naval combat helicopters.

The news is contained in the 2009 Defence White Paper which sets out a new capability direction with a significant focus on enhancing Australia's maritime capabilities, the Minister for Defence, Joel Fitzgibbon, said.

The project would be pursued as a "matter of urgency" to overcome the current deficiencies in the Navy's aviation fleet. Introducing these new helicopters into service would be a high priority, he said.

The purchase of these advanced new combat helicopters would enable up to nine aircraft to be concurrently embarked on ships at sea at any one time. The new helicopter fleet would be equipped with active dipping sonars which were capable of being lowered into the water while the helicopter was in a hover.

This would allow the helicopter's sonar to penetrate the thermal and noise layers found in the sea column and would therefore provide the Navy with an increased ability to detect submarines at greater ranges and depths than is presently the case.

They would also be equipped with modern torpedos able to quickly attack and destroy hostile submarines while also being capable of carrying short to medium range anti-ship missiles. The aim of these weapons would be to neutralise a hostile surface or sub-surface vessel before they threaten the remainder of the surface fleet, Mr Fitzgibbon said.

This project was one of several that would significantly enhance the Australian Defence Force's anti-submarine warfare capability. These included new anti-submarine warfare focussed frigates, the RAAF's future maritime patrol aircraft, the active towed array sonars on new air warfare destroyers, longer range sonars for ANZAC frigates and torpedo defence systems for surface ships. Collectively these capabilities address the ADF's need to counter the growing threat posed by submarines, he said.

In addition to the new combat helicopters, the Navy would also be modernising its aviation fleet with the acquisition of the previously-announced six MRH-90 helicopters to replace its Sea King helicopters.

These large helicopters, equipped with an infrared system for use in low-light conditions, would be employed as a utility and general purpose helicopter on larger support and amphibious ships, the Minister said. Out of a total fleet of 46, Navy would share seven of the helicopters with the Army for common flight training. The MRH-90 would enter service with the Navy from 2010.

Among the other announcements within the White Paper are decisions relating to improving maritime defence, including:

• A fleet of 12 new submarines to replace the current six Collins Class;
• Enhancements to the weapons systems of the three new air warfare destroyers, with consideration of acquiring a fourth vessel in the future;
• A fleet of eight new larger frigates, with an emphasis on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) to replace the current ANZAC Class frigates;
• Continuation of acquisition of two new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships that will "invigorate" the ADF's amphibious capability;
• A new strategic sealift ship based on a proven design to strengthen the Navy's amphibious and transport capability.

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