Australia decommissions last Balikpapan-class LCHs
Posted: 24 Nov 2014 22:52
Australia decommissions last Balikpapan-class LCHs
Julian Kerr, Sydney - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
19 November 2014
Balikpapan-class LCH HMAS Labuan seen at the class's home base of Cairns. Source: Royal Australian Navy
The last three of the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) 45 m Balikpapan-class heavy landing craft (LCH) were decommissioned in Cairns on 20 November.
The 364-tonne vessels - HMAS Brunei , HMAS Labuan , and HMAS Tarakan - were inducted into RAN service in 1973. Following decommissioning, Labuan was gifted to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Maritime Element.
The three other ships of the class - HMAS Wewak , HMAS Balikpapan , and HMAS Betana - were retired in December 2012.
The departure of the Balikpapan class leaves a gap in the RAN's ability to deliver troops and equipment to areas reachable only by ships with very shallow draught.
Limited regional sealift capacity will be provided by the landing ship dock (LSD) HMAS Choules with embarked LCM8 watercraft. LCM-1Es will also provide this capability, although these will only enter service with the two 27,500-tonne Canberra-class landing helicopter docks (LHDs) that will enter service early next year and in 2016 respectively.
Six new heavy landing craft with improved speed and seakeeping capabilities were included in the 2012 Defence Capability Plan (DCP). This envisaged nine years between first pass approval, which is yet to be received, and initial operating capability (IOC).
Ends
JP2048 used to have Phase 5: Balikpapan class landing craft replacement – 6 new LCH design, but I don't see it on the active list of projects proceeding, there was supposed to be a decision in 2012 originally but it's been back-burnered. Well at least until now. On Nov 19 the Assistant Minister for Defence had this to say:
“The Balikpapan Class vessels will be replaced by six new heavy landing craft that will have improved ocean going capabilities and be able to transport armoured vehicles, trucks, stores and personnel.”
Don't hold your breath.
Julian Kerr, Sydney - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
19 November 2014
Balikpapan-class LCH HMAS Labuan seen at the class's home base of Cairns. Source: Royal Australian Navy
The last three of the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) 45 m Balikpapan-class heavy landing craft (LCH) were decommissioned in Cairns on 20 November.
The 364-tonne vessels - HMAS Brunei , HMAS Labuan , and HMAS Tarakan - were inducted into RAN service in 1973. Following decommissioning, Labuan was gifted to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Maritime Element.
The three other ships of the class - HMAS Wewak , HMAS Balikpapan , and HMAS Betana - were retired in December 2012.
The departure of the Balikpapan class leaves a gap in the RAN's ability to deliver troops and equipment to areas reachable only by ships with very shallow draught.
Limited regional sealift capacity will be provided by the landing ship dock (LSD) HMAS Choules with embarked LCM8 watercraft. LCM-1Es will also provide this capability, although these will only enter service with the two 27,500-tonne Canberra-class landing helicopter docks (LHDs) that will enter service early next year and in 2016 respectively.
Six new heavy landing craft with improved speed and seakeeping capabilities were included in the 2012 Defence Capability Plan (DCP). This envisaged nine years between first pass approval, which is yet to be received, and initial operating capability (IOC).
Ends
JP2048 used to have Phase 5: Balikpapan class landing craft replacement – 6 new LCH design, but I don't see it on the active list of projects proceeding, there was supposed to be a decision in 2012 originally but it's been back-burnered. Well at least until now. On Nov 19 the Assistant Minister for Defence had this to say:
“The Balikpapan Class vessels will be replaced by six new heavy landing craft that will have improved ocean going capabilities and be able to transport armoured vehicles, trucks, stores and personnel.”
Don't hold your breath.