Asia Times
Lachlan Colquhoun Sydney, August 15, 2018 5:45 PM (UTC+8)
[excerpt]
http://www.atimes.com/article/australia-flexes-bigger-naval-muscles-at-china/Australia is being propelled into taking a more active strategic role in the Asia-Pacific, a power-projecting gambit that is driving a massive overhaul of its naval capabilities.
The Royal Australian Navy is now preparing and re-equipping in the midst of its largest refit since World War II, a modernization drive that will see it take delivery of a new ship every 18 to 24 months over the next two decades.
The naval vision: a modern fleet of amphibious Landing Helicopter Dock ships, destroyers, frigates, offshore patrol vessels and 12 new future submarines. The Navy has already replaced and upgraded all of its three helicopter types over the last five years.
