USA - Australia military cooperation

Lockheed Martin Begins Testing on Australia’s First Aegis Weapon System


MOORESTOWN, NJ, August 13th, 2009 -- The Aegis Weapon System destined for Australia’s first Air Warfare Destroyer began a four month testing program today at Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]’s Aegis Production Test Center.

When testing concludes, the full Aegis Weapon System will be ready for installation in HMAS Hobart, the first of three Australian Air Warfare Destroyers under contract.

Lockheed Martin’s Production Test Center replicates a ship’s superstructure and allows for the first integration of all the subsystems of the Aegis Weapon System, including the SPY-1D(V) radar, illuminators, all computing hardware, and the cabling that will be used in the final ship installation. In its Production Test Center, Lockheed Martin conducts testing concurrently with each subsystem’s installation, as well as with the entire completed Aegis Weapon System, in order to ensure the system is ready for the rigors of sea before it ever leaves land.

“This land-based testing process is critical to the exacting reliability that Aegis continually delivers, and will deliver for the Australian Navy,” said Orlando Carvalho, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Surface/Sea-Based Missile Defense Systems line of business.

Upon completion of the testing, the Aegis Weapon System will be shipped to ASC Shipyard in Adelaide, Australia, when the shipyard is ready to install the system. The Hobart-class Air Warfare Destroyer will be the most advanced and complex warships ever built in Australia and will introduce the Aegis Weapon System to the Royal Australian Navy.

The Aegis Weapon System is the world’s premier proven naval defense system. Its precision
S-band SPY-1 radar and missile system seamlessly integrate with its own command and control. Its ability to detect, track and engage targets ranging from sea-skimming cruise missiles to ballistic missiles in space is unmatched.

The 91 Aegis-equipped ships currently in service around the globe have more than 1,100 years of at-sea operational experience and have launched more than 3,500 missiles in tests and real-world operations. In addition to the U.S. and Australia, Aegis is the maritime weapon system of choice for Japan, Norway, South Korea and Spain.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.


http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2009/08/mil-090813-lockheed-martin02.htm

ASEAN Leaders React to Planned US Marine Base in Australia

November 17, 2011

Brian Padden | Bali, Indonesia
In-Depth Coverage

The announcement by President Barack Obama that he plans to station U.S. troops in Australia is drawing mixed reactions at the ASEAN Summit in Indonesia, where ongoing territorial conflicts in the South China Sea are a major issue.

Philippine Secretary of Communications Ricky Carandang welcomed the news that the United States will station 2,500 military personnel in its Australia's Northern Territory over the next few years.

“If you are asking me in general how I view the increased engagement of the U.S. in Australia and the region, we view the presence of the Americans here, the renewed engagement of the U.S. here as ultimately a stabilizing force,” Carandang said.

The Philippines has long supported an increased U.S. military presence to counterbalance China's growing military strength and increasing confrontations in disputed territory of the South China Sea.

China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei hold conflicting territorial claims on the region, which is strategic to world shipping and believed to hold huge oil and gas reserves.

ASEAN Chairman and Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said Indonesia does not want to see Southeast Asia be subject to a damaging competition between the big countries, adding that idealism will only get them so far.

Natalegawa also said he would like to develop a military code of conduct, in line with ASEAN’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, or TAC, which calls for mutual respect and the non-interference in the internal affairs of other members.

“For example it will involve the renunciation of the use of force the primacy of peaceful settlements of disputes, precisely the kind of TAC-like kind of norms that have been governing relations among ASEAN.”

Hariyadi Wirawan, a professor of international relations at the University of Indonesia, says the news could lead to increased tension between the United States and China at the East Asia Summit and could hamper efforts by ASEAN leaders to craft a code of conduct with China to peacefully resolve disputes.

“The whole idea of creating this new arrangement of security is in itself, can be seen also as a provocation to China and will expect a kind of harsh response from China, from Beijing,” Wirawan said.

Chinese officials Wednesday questioned whether the troop deployments are in the best interests of the countries in the region. In Beijing Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin gave a more measured response when asked about the U.S.-Australia military ties.

In regards to the relationships developed between other nations, China does not interfere, he said.

But he added China hopes that other countries in developing relations between each other take into consideration other countries, regional interests and the region's peace and stability.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2011/11/mil-111117-voa05.htm

Russian Patriot, no body down under even questioned why 2500 marines are being relocated to Darwin after being kicked out of Okinawa. People down here are so fukking politically dumb its beyond belief!

No one knows shit, and the truth be told, whatever the U.S. is doing must be right, is the mentality of the majority.

China is no threat to Australia! Its our best trading partner, and the biggest buyer of our minerals & metals.

The only country which is happy about this is probably the usual brainwashed and broke ass Philippines, and Japan for getting rid of these parasites from Okinawa. Japan still has to get rid off a whole lot more of these 'marines'. Too bad Guam is too small, or else Japan wants these guys out now!

Australia will do everything, and anything the U.S. tells it to. Its no longer a secret.

This stupid and retarded act by the Aussie Government without the consent of its dumb population will have an economic impact. It will be firm and almost automatic. The day China stops buying our Iron ore and other minerals like coal, Australia will rapidly descend into being a second world country it always was. Then you will see Julia Gillard rush off to China to give the small dick Chinese rapid blow jobs ........dumb bitch.:

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/MK22Cb01.html

"SOME 300 Australian Defence Force members were formally farewelled in Brisbane yesterday ahead of their departure for Iraq under Operation Okra. The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binksin, AC, the Chief of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General Angus Campbell, DSC, AM, the Commander of the Army's 1st Division, Major General Stuart Smith, AO, DSC; and Federal Member for Ryan Jane Prentice MP, joined families and friends of the ADF members at the farewell parade.

The second rotation of the ADF's Building Partner Capacity contingent, known as Task Group Taji 2, is a combined force of Australian and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel. Air Chief Marshal Binskin said the second rotation of Task Group Taji would carry on the important work of the ADF members currently serving in Iraq. "Our Building Partner Capacity mission is critical to increasing capability across Iraq's security forces and enabling them to take the fight to Daesh. "Those Iraqis who have completed Coalition-led training programs perform at a higher standard than their peers demonstrating greater skill, confidence and resilience on the battlefield. "I know the men and women of Task Group Taji 2 will continue to build on the outstanding work of their predecessors in the region," he said. Lieutenant General Campbell expressed his well wishes for the deploying contingent. "The soldiers of Task Group Taji 2 will partner closely with Iraqi Security Forces and I am confident they will impart their professionalism, knowledge and skills; underpinned always by our values of courage, initiative, respect and teamwork," he said. "We wish them all the best with their mission, and importantly, a safe return to family and friends." The Commander of 7th Brigade, Brigadier Adam Findlay, AM, whose troops make up the majority of the departing force, thanked the families and friends of the deploying personnel for their support. "This parade is not only about the soldiers. This parade recognises the contribution and support of the families of our soldiers and the broader Brisbane community," Brigadier Findlay said. "We have spent the last few months conducting training focused on replicating the conditions the troops may face in Iraq. Our soldiers are ready and well prepared for any challenge this deployment may bring."

Commander of Task Group Taji 2, Colonel Gavin Keating, said the aim was to help to empower the Iraqis to shape their own destiny. "Building Partner Capacity is all about training the Iraqi Security Forces so they can defeat Daesh and achieve peace and stability," he said. "We are very fortunate to be able to build on the excellent work completed by Task Group Taji 1 and are looking forward to working with our NZDF partners." Task Group Taji 2 will comprise a headquarters element, training team, force protection and support elements. Operation Okra is the ADF's contribution to the international effort to combat the Daesh terrorist threat in Iraq."

Source: http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/second-rotation-soldiers-iraq-depart-australia/2826535/

[url=http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/173117/bae-completes-upgrade-of-sixth-anzac_class-frigate.html]BAE Systems Delivers Significant Upgrade to ANZAC Frigate





BAE Systems Australia has undocked the sixth ANZAC Class frigate of the eight vessel Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) program demonstrating an important maritime industry capability that has been developed at the facility.

After successfully program managing 600,000 hours of complex systems integration and engineering work on the hard stand at the Henderson facility, HMAS Parramatta will now begin the Test and Trials phase of the project.

Ship seven, HMAS Toowoomba is mid-way through her upgrade and HMAS Stuart will be docked next month so that work can begin on the final ship.

Under the ASMD program, each ship’s combat management system is being upgraded and a new infrared search and track system is being introduced, together with a new dual navigation radar. At the same time as each ship is receiving its ASMD upgrade, a number of other significant engineering and structural changes that are unique to each vessel are also being made. These include enclosing the quarter deck, galley refurbishment and modifications to accommodate combat helicopters.

Across the ASMD program around 30 local and national subcontractors and more than 100 Australian suppliers are involved in the ASMD program, demonstrating BAE Systems’ commitment to enhancing the Small to Medium Enterprises within Australia that further strengthen Australian Defence Capability.

BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive, Glynn Phillips said:

“The work we’re doing at Henderson demonstrates the quality of our engineering, program management and builds on the flexibility of Australian industry capability that is only possible with an experienced Australian maritime defence provider. Our highly skilled workforce is at the core of our capability, ensuring that the project achieves the quality, cost and schedule milestones despite the enormous complexity of such work. Our team, together with our ANZAC Alliance partners, is very proud to support the Royal Australian Navy and its efforts by successfully implementing a world leading defence capability.”

The project is being undertaken through the Anzac Ship Integrated Material Support Program Alliance comprising BAE Systems, Saab Systems and the Defence Department’s Capability and Sustainment Acquisition Group. The size and scale of the project is considerable.

Much of the equipment and operating systems are removed from each ship which is then rebuilt in a program that has taken several years and which is on schedule and on budget.

Isn't it forbiden to sell missiles with range greater than 300km ? Then russia should start selling missiles with no restriction on range.

Isos wrote:Isn't it forbiden to sell missiles with range greater than 300km ? Then russia should start selling missiles with no restriction on range.

well there are two possibilities: the missiles sold to australia will have a reduced range (like the export versions of Russian missiles), or the US is unilaterally cancelling another treaty... in this case there will be a lot of consequences...

Rodion_Romanovic wrote:

Isos wrote:Isn't it forbiden to sell missiles with range greater than 300km ? Then russia should start selling missiles with no restriction on range.

well there are two possibilities: the missiles sold to australia will have a reduced range (like the export versions of Russian missiles), or the US is unilaterally cancelling another treaty... in this case there will be a lot of consequences...

They also sold some JASSM with a range greater than 300km to Poland. No one paid attention, neither Russian media or officials.

Maybe it's time to sell some kalibr to Iran, India and China and not Klub version.

US is also closer to Australia. For its Tigre helo the spare parts had to travel half the world to get there. Pretty expensive. With US they are a little bit closer.

IMO it's a real issue for them.

George1 wrote:Australia wants M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks

May 1st, 22:34
On April 29, 2021, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) of the US Department of Defense sent a notice to the US Congress of the planned upcoming sale to Australia at the request of the Australian government through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program of intergovernmental foreign military sales 160 М1А1 tank hulls Abrams from the storage of the US Department of Defense and their subsequent conversion into 75 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks, 29 M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles (ABV) armored engineering vehicles and 18 M1074 Joint Assault Bridges (JAB) armored bridges.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4300982.html

Is this for a land invasion of China? I can't fathom why the Australians would need heavy tanks.

lancelot wrote:...Is this for a land invasion of China? I can't fathom why the Australians would need heavy tanks.

At least they fit the soil type down there

Australia to purchase nuclear submarines (SSN) from USA

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-15/allied-naval-united-states-biden-australia-nuclear-submarines/100465628

Sujoy wrote:Australia to purchase nuclear submarines (SSN) from USA

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-15/allied-naval-united-states-biden-australia-nuclear-submarines/100465628

USA selling nuke subs to anyone would be paradigm shift

I'll believe it when I see it

PapaDragon wrote:

Sujoy wrote:Australia to purchase nuclear submarines (SSN) from USA

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-15/allied-naval-united-states-biden-australia-nuclear-submarines/100465628

USA selling nuke subs to anyone would be paradigm shift

I'll believe it when I see it

They have to. China is growing too fast for them to follow, they will need p(a)ussies to have such subs. I guess they will even give them small carriers with VTOL f-35. At least 5 of such carriers and a bunch of ASW frigates. The same way Japan is pushed to do the same.

They will also ask UK to build more SSN and base them in the pacific. UK has an island full of single family inbreads weiredos there.

Bad news for France which looses 50 years, 50 billion $ contract for 12 subs. . I wonder why at first they really thought they could wiin such a contract in US backyard.