The latest news from Canberra is a deal to improve the defense systems of Hobart-class destroyers of the Royal Navy along with its Seahawk helicopters in another deal. As revealed by sources, the cost of the destroyer upgrade is $155 million with BAE Systems.
BAE Systems' Contract with Australia
A six-year deal that the aerospace firm needs to accomplish a 'sovereign sustainment capability for the HMAS Hobart, Brisbane, and the Sydney, reported the Defense Post.
All the guided missile destroyers will get major upgrades in their combat management system for a better defense for air or sea.
Managing director Craig Lockhart added that the established team comprehensively understands the Hobart-Class Destroyer. It will bring a proven organization and collaborative strategy that concentrates on reliable expected delivery and ingenious solutions for maintaining the class alive in the future.
This same improvement agreement will be essential to ensure ongoing trustworthiness and remain fit for purpose.
Hobart-Class Destroyers Planned Upgrade
These Royal Australian Navy guided missile destroyers offer air defense with an associated helicopter for monitoring and reaction to reinforce favorable warfare locations.
Navantia destroyers are outfitted with long-range ship killer missiles and a naval gun capable of bombarding targets to assist land forces.
These Royal Navy, Hobart-class destroyers have up-to-date sonar and co-sonar and communications systems, decoys, surface-launched torpedoes, and an array of effective close-in defensive weapons. Included are enhanced undersea and task group command capabilities.
Plan Galileo
The destroyers are the initial major in-service resources with a capability life cycle manager. It's a stage of the Future Maritime Sustainment Model, which Canberra puts under Plan Galileo.
Plan Galileo employs a whole-of-life operations and maintenance strategy for naval ships, from design to decommissioning. The administration is preparing to unveil the plan's Horizon 3 - Sustainment 25 to three stated goals. It includes augmented and developed assistance to the navy, operations and maintenance efficiency, and sovereign sustainment capacity.
Seahawk Helicopters Upgrades
Royal Australian Navy has requested upgrading 12 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from Lockheed Martin's sister company Sikorsky, mentioned Naval Technology.
The firm needs to give details about the modifications to Canberra's maritime choppers. This augmentation, nevertheless, is expected to boost the aircraft's ability to conduct anti-submarine warfare, which is its prime objective.
Sikorsky Vice President Hamid Salim stated that the Romeo variant provides navies worldwide, with self-assurance due to its high operational availability throughout challenging seagoing environments, mentioned Breaking Defense.
The tender will be finished in New York, and the first upgraded aircraft are anticipated to arrive in 2025.
MH-60R Variant
It is a specialized multi-mission naval helicopter optimized for anti-sub warfare, anti-surface, search and rescue, maritime gunfire support, and reconnaissance operations.
Seahawk is considered the best maritime helo. It has an advanced combat system, Hellfire AGM, and Mark 54 anti-submarine torpedoes as armament.
It is equipped with a Raytheon detection and tracking system, with FLIR and laser rangefinder, and includes a sonobuoy launcher and dipping radar for enemy subs.
Australian Royal Navy plans to keep and upgrade its Hobart-class destroyers and Seahawk helicopters as components in its maritime strategy.
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