LHD for SA Navy?

[andrewza]

Do you think we could pull it off and more importantly is it really needed.

My opinion. We would need to increase the budget has the current Defence budget would not be enough. And we would need more helicopters maybe another squadron dedicated to serve on the LHD. Has is it needed it would give the SANDF a ability no other African country has and i could see them being used.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...-millenium.htm

[Achtung Baby]

Perhaps a MRV(Multi Role Vessel) is the way to go, something like HMNZS Canterbury (L421), I assume the existing Atlas Oryx could be used on it.

[andrewza]

But any oryx would have to be taken from another Squdron. I all so thing a MRV is the way to go.

[Achtung Baby]

Originally Posted by andrewza

But any oryx would have to be taken from another Squdron. I all so thing a MRV is the way to go.

Another option in the MRV category is from AUSTAL, although it's still in the design phase. http://www.austal.com/en/products-an...ource=category

[andrewza]

It is a interesting design but I do not thing it is what SAN is after. For one thing it is new with no production line so will cost a lot. And I wonder how many helicopters and sea boats it could carry.

[kuma]

Originally Posted by andrewza

It is a interesting design but I do not thing it is what SAN is after. For one thing it is new with no production line so will cost a lot. And I wonder how many helicopters and sea boats it could carry.

IMO the LHD offers great versatility to cope with changing mission requirements. The helo capability is what sets it apart and it will serve well in security and humanitarian operations.

[Achtung Baby]

Originally Posted by kuma

IMO the LHD offers great versatility to cope with changing mission requirements. The helo capability is what sets it apart and it will serve well in security and humanitarian operations.

Problem is, the Oryx couldn't get all the required funding for its mid-life refit... a large LHD would really add great demands on the annual budget just to keep it, and the helos it carries viable.

[andrewza]

That is the problem. All so the oryx are not maritime helicopters. They will need to be modified for the purpose. The oryx did get some recent upgrades though not a refit it protection/EW systems where upgraded so it is still a good choice in a low intensity african war.

[kuma]

Originally Posted by Achtung Baby

Problem is, the Oryx couldn't get all the required funding for its mid-life refit... a large LHD would really add great demands on the annual budget just to keep it, and the helos it carries viable.

No free lunch..

[TacCovert4]

For SA I see little need for any sort of Amphibious ship, at least for the near future. I would instead see a need for long-ranged destroyers and cutters to patrol and enforce the sealanes by the Cape, the Army and Marines not needing a large, expensive, specialized vessel to carry them to whatever tinpot republic SA gets hooked into helping at the moment.

[PacificSentinel]

Originally Posted by TacCovert4

For SA I see little need for any sort of Amphibious ship, at least for the near future. I would instead see a need for long-ranged destroyers and cutters to patrol and enforce the sealanes by the Cape, the Army and Marines not needing a large, expensive, specialized vessel to carry them to whatever tinpot republic SA gets hooked into helping at the moment.

Or go down the centre with something like the Absalon class flexible support ship.



Wiki Info

[andrewza]

Originally Posted by TacCovert4

For SA I see little need for any sort of Amphibious ship, at least for the near future. I would instead see a need for long-ranged destroyers and cutters to patrol and enforce the sealanes by the Cape, the Army and Marines not needing a large, expensive, specialized vessel to carry them to whatever tinpot republic SA gets hooked into helping at the moment.

Well I would agree we do not need a large Amphibious assault craft like a wasp. A ship with the ability to carry large number of people and helicopters with a limited amphibious assault ability is needed. And if it doubles has a Combat support ship and a humanitarian ship it will be even better.

[TacCovert4]

Originally Posted by PacificSentinel

Or go down the centre with something like the Absalon class flexible support ship.



Wiki Info

Something like that is quite interesting. I would rather see a variant with 4-6 helos, at least 4, which would increase patrol capabilities.

Another possibility would be to upgrade their blue-water and brown water capability by integrating a Hyuga-class Helicopter Destroyer. That class of ship seems like a good buy for a nation needing a helicopter platform but not able to put the dedicated escort assets for a real carrier or LHD type platform. That would give the SAN a modern destroyer that could really help out in anti-pirate and sealane control operations, plus rescue/disaster capabilities, and a ship that could give the SAN the ability to dominate many of its regional opponent's navies. I guess this would be down to whether Japan would export tech, or if the US or Britain would be willing to a tech transfer to allow the ship to be fully modern.

[andrewza]

A Helicopter Destroyer is a interesting option. It would real help out out in anti piracy missions. The most used asserts in anti piracy is a ship born helicopter. I would go for 6 helicopters since and a large medical bay for disaster relieve. And I agree it should be armed enough to operate with out a escort.

[TacCovert4]

I don't know if the Japanese would be willing to export Hyuga-class technology, so there might be some interesting diplomacy there, but that's the type I'd suggest. It has VLS cells, and a full complement of DDG weaponry (there are better armed DDs but it is a full DD in its own right), plus the flight deck and hangar space for nearly a full squadron of helos (though only 4-5 are normally carried), with possible expansion capability to carry VSTOL aircraft (like the F-35, though if I were SA I'd be looking at this bird say 15-20 years down the pipe or so).