SYDNEY - Australia outlined a plan to increase its defense spending to 2.4 percent of GDP by 2033, but multiple weapons acquisition programs are being scrapped to help pay for higher priorities. The revised spending goal was outlined in the country's first National Defense Strategy and an accompanying Integrated Investment Program that outlines specific capabilities the government will invest in to meet its strategic goals.

The new plan calls for an additional AUD50.3 billion ($32.3 billion) over the next 10 years. However, spending would increase by only AUD5.7 billion ($3.7 billion) over the first five years of the plan. Nearly 90 percent of the new investment would come later in the decade, raising concerns that the plan doesn't do enough to improve military capabilities in the near-term.

The strategy aims to increase total defense spending from AUD55.5 billion ($35.6 billion) in 2024-25 to AUD100.4 billion ($64.5 billion) by 2033-34, which would increase the defense spending-to-GDP ratio from 2.1 percent to 2.4 percent by 2033-34.

Undersea warfare capabilities are front and center in the new investment plan, and the government is targeting spending up to AUD76 billion ($48.8 billion) in this market over the next 10 years. Up to CAD63 billion ($40.5 billion) of that total would go to the future nuclear powered submarine fleet.

Several concessions are made to help free up funding, including the cancellation of a final squadron of F-35s that would have replaced Australia's Super Hornets. The government said those aircraft are still performing well, and that the increased capabilities offered by the F-35 are enough to delay replacement of the Super Hornets. Funding originally planned for additional F-35s will be diverted to other priorities, such as long-range missiles like the Tomahawk. A Super Hornet replacement will be reexamined in the future. Work on replacements for the EA-18G and C-17 fleets have also been postponed.

The government said it will reduce procurement of Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles from Hanwha from 450 to 129, freeing up around AUD10 billion ($6.4 billion). The plan also cancels an AUD4 billion ($2.6 billion) maritime mine countermeasures program, and Air Launched Multi Domain Strike program, and reduces investment in E-7A Wedgetail upgrades. Two Joint Supply Ships have also been cancelled, saving around AUD4.1 billion ($2.6 billion).

Source: Breaking Defense
Associated URL: https://breakingdefense.com/2024/04/australia-unveils-historic-defense-boost-to-2-4-of-gdp-in-decade-critics-say-too-little-too-late/?utm_campaign=BD%20Daily&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--zIs-PTdJCJSMEg7D9GY9K-xXMXIPpzWXxu2EoNdYnUhMSWbXgmz-TQOMRhyqDR3

SANDY HOOK, Conn. - California-based defense startup Anduril has unveiled the prototype Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XL-AUV) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The initiative is a collaborative effort that includes the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG).

The partners, participating under a development contract worth A$140 million ($90.1 million), achieved a rare defense industry achievement, with prototype delivery coming only three years after initial negotiations and within budget.

Ghost Shark’s progress contrasts with the Boeing/U.S. Navy Orca XLUUV program, which the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported as three years behind schedule and $242 million over budget in late 2022.

The initial May 2022 agreement between Anduril and the RAN called for the indigenous building and delivery of three XL-AUVs within three years.

The Ghost Shark effort is part of the Australian government’s prioritization of naval systems to counter China in the region. Australia plans to spend some $50 billion over the next ten years to strengthen its naval footprint. According to Defense Minister Richard Marles, Ghost Shark’s modular payload capabilities will allow the RAN to conduct “persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike” missions.

Anduril reports that 42 Australian companies are at work on the project. The company is working quickly to produce the system “at scale” for the RAN. Plans are underway to market Ghost Shark as a global export platform.

Source: Forecast International
Associated URL: https://dsm.forecastinternational.com/2024/04/18/andurils-ghost-shark-xl-auv-makes-its-australian-debut/
Author: Jon Hemler 

ULSAN, Korea -- HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) signed a $463 million contract on April 16 with SIMA, a Peruvian state-owned shipyard, to build four warships for that country’s navy

This came after the HD Hyundai was selected late last month as the preferred bidder for joint production of one 3,400-ton frigate, one 2,200-ton offshore patrol vessel (OPV) and two 1,400-ton amphibious warfare ships in Peru.

In collaboration with SIMA, HD HHI plans to deliver the naval ships to the Peruvian navy by 2030. The Korean firm will design the ships, supply materials and offer technical support, while the Peruvian company will build the vessels.

Source: The Korea Times
Associated URL: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2024/04/129_372877.html
Author: The Korea Times: Park Jae-hyuk