AUKUS
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 151
From: A better place.
US Air Force assets already rotate through RAAF bases here (B-52s, B-2s, B-1s, F-22s etc have all visited).
There are also 1,000+ US marines in Darwin (correct me if I'm wrong on latest numbers).
I have seen suggestions that Australia could suddenly face a request by the US to host upwards of 250,000 troops.
In addition, Pine Gap near Alice Springs would be critical in monitoring any conflict - it downlinks SIGINT and IMINT from US satellites that watch the region - and sends it back to Fort Meade and Chantilly.
Harold E Holt Naval Communications Station near Exmouth in WA is also crucial in providing very low frequency coms to US and Australian submarines.
And JORN, the Jindalee over the horizon radar network uses large transmitter, receivers at various locations in remote Australia , which can effectively watch air and sea-surface activity reportedly to Indonesia - possibly further.
I'd suggest that if China was really serious about taking Taiwan, it would either target some or all of these facilities pre-emptively with conventional strikes, or it would consider doing so as part of second, or third wave strikes.
I think it's unlikely it'd break the taboo and use nuclear weapons.
All of these mainland Australia locations are easily within range of the DF-4 and DF-31.
There is also ongoing interdiction or partial blockade of our sea lanes (how many days of petrol do we have in reserve?!) and sabotage of undersea cables to consider.
If a war looks likely in the South China sea - then Australia definitely is a potential target for discrete Chinese strikes on some or all of these facilities, not Australian urban centres, or a land invasion by Chinese ground forces as Keating alludes to.
He knows that, and is being disingenuous in implying otherwise.
Last edited by tartare; 17th March 2023 at 02:12.
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,646
Likes: 766
From: Australia
hell - all they need to do is stop buying Australian - the economy would be on its knees in a few months, Labour would be in and goodbye AUKUS
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 205
From: aus
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 205
From: aus
Evertonian
Joined: May 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
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From: #3117# Ppruner of the Year Nominee 2005
Joined: Aug 2009
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 9,346
Likes: 2,186
From: Texas
US agrees to sell 220 Tomahawk missiles to Australia | CNN
The US State Department has approved Australia’s request to buy up to 220 long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, making it only the second US ally to obtain the US-made weapon after the United Kingdom.
According to a statement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the deal will cost as much as 1.3 billion Australian dollars ($895 million), including maintenance and logistical support.
“The proposed sale will improve Australia’s capability to interoperate with US maritime forces and other allied forces as well as its ability to contribute to missions of mutual interest,” the statement added.
According to a statement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the deal will cost as much as 1.3 billion Australian dollars ($895 million), including maintenance and logistical support.
“The proposed sale will improve Australia’s capability to interoperate with US maritime forces and other allied forces as well as its ability to contribute to missions of mutual interest,” the statement added.
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 639
Likes: 102
From: australia
Would it be better from Fox?
But it is accurate.
https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/maj...-weapon-system
PDF Version
Press Release - Australia 23-02 CN.pdf
Media/Public Contact
[email protected]
Transmittal No
23-02WASHINGTON, March 16, 2023 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of Tomahawk Block V and Block IV All Up Rounds
(AUR) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $895 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
Same circus, just different clowns.
But it is accurate.
https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/maj...-weapon-system
PDF Version
Press Release - Australia 23-02 CN.pdf
Media/Public Contact
[email protected]
Transmittal No
23-02WASHINGTON, March 16, 2023 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of Tomahawk Block V and Block IV All Up Rounds
(AUR) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $895 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
Same circus, just different clowns.
Last edited by golder; 17th March 2023 at 16:37.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,083
Likes: 253
From: London/Oxford/New York
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,645
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From: Peripatetic
Sir Humphrey:
The Pinstripedline analysis of the AUKUS SSN deal, why it provides both long term opportunity for the UK but could also be a 'policy albatross' and why Australia may supplant the UK as the key US ally is now live.
https://tinyurl.com/2b8mmh5f
The Pinstripedline analysis of the AUKUS SSN deal, why it provides both long term opportunity for the UK but could also be a 'policy albatross' and why Australia may supplant the UK as the key US ally is now live.
https://tinyurl.com/2b8mmh5f
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 205
From: aus
Missed an interview with Richard Marles, Australian defence minister. He said that the first virginia's would be around 2030 and be 13 years old. That would put it at the Washington SSN 787, Block 3.
That would Washington, Colorado and Indiana to australia with South Dakota and Delaware with the possible 2 additionals. All block 3
That would Washington, Colorado and Indiana to australia with South Dakota and Delaware with the possible 2 additionals. All block 3
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 639
Likes: 102
From: australia
Missed an interview with Richard Marles, Australian defence minister. He said that the first virginia's would be around 2030 and be 13 years old. That would put it at the Washington SSN 787, Block 3.
That would Washington, Colorado and Indiana to australia with South Dakota and Delaware with the possible 2 additionals. All block 3
That would Washington, Colorado and Indiana to australia with South Dakota and Delaware with the possible 2 additionals. All block 3
the cartoons are numerous.
Last edited by golder; 20th March 2023 at 07:46.
Joined: Jun 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 17
From: South Pole
Missed an interview with Richard Marles, Australian defence minister. He said that the first virginia's would be around 2030 and be 13 years old. That would put it at the Washington SSN 787, Block 3.
That would Washington, Colorado and Indiana to australia with South Dakota and Delaware with the possible 2 additionals. All block 3
That would Washington, Colorado and Indiana to australia with South Dakota and Delaware with the possible 2 additionals. All block 3
https://news.usni.org/2016/03/28/sub...ional-concepts
Posted by golder: “From what I saw, the first would be secondhand and block 3 fits, With the remainder new build. though not with vertical launch.”
All Virginias have vertical launch - Blocks 1 & 2 via 12 individual launch tubes, Blocks 3 & on via 2 Virginia Payload Tubes (VPT’s) mounted in the bow section. Obviously, the RAN won’t be getting the Block 5’s Virginia Payload Module which has 4 VPT’s that are additional to the bow mounted ones.
I don’t understand the speculation that the possible two extra Virginias would be new builds as these vessels would just be required to fill in until sufficient AUKUS SSNs have been built. The RAN would only need 2nd hand Virginias with sufficient reactor life to fill in any production gap.
Sky News are saying that the Collins class are getting Tomahawk missiles, it would be interesting to find out if this means that production of the tube launched version has been restarted or whether there’s sufficient parts in the USN inventory available to modify the recently ordered 20 RGM-109E Block 4 missiles to the UGM-109 standard.
https://www.skynews.com.au/australia...3f91b3041dd7ba
Last edited by Going Boeing; 21st March 2023 at 09:25.
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,646
Likes: 766
From: Australia
they are today but in the future???
Joined: Apr 2010
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 958
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From: Herefordshire
That individual’s posts always seek to undermine Western military developments, and AUKUS is just the current target. I have long doubted any real connection to the UK.