Defence Update – LSTs for Navy

The 16 “Newport” Class LSTs, which have been serving with the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, and with the Naval Reserve Force, are being decommissioned by the US Navy as part of the Defence cutbacks.

The vessels displace 8585 tonnes fully loaded, are 160m long, have a top speed of 20kt (37km/h) and a range of 2500nm (4635km) at 14kt (26km/h). USN complements usually have been 257 personnel, including 13 officers. However, while Royal Australian Navy crewing arrangements were still being developed at the time of writing, it is understood and Fairfax County to be renamed by the RAN, will have crews of about 160.

The vessels have a military lift capacity of about 400 troops and 510 tonnes of vehicles such as tanks and armoured personnel carriers, and some landing craft. They are armed with four 76mm guns, and some have been fitted with the Phalanx Close In anti ship missile systems (CIWS). The Defence Minister, Senator Robert Ray, announced plans to buy the two USN LSTS on December 17 last year. He said they would provide both at-sea training for personnel, and helicopter support for amphibious operations.

“The two ships, to be purchased for a total of $A70m, will replace the training ship HMAS Jervis Bay and the heavy landing ship HMAS Tobruk, each of which will be withdrawn from service, the Minister said.

“The availability of two LSTs from the US at a reasonable price provides us with two extremely flexible ships,” he added. “The two ships, rendered surplus to US requirements, will be better and more representative training ships than HMAS Jervis Bay.

“They are constructed to military standards, have excellent manoeuvrability and areas which could be converted to classrooms,” Ray said. “Not only will the RAN have a more effective training capability than that provided by Jervis Bay, but it will also have the capacity to transport large amounts of Army equipment and personnel, and to support the operations of helicopters. ” He added that the LSTs which currently operate one large helicopter each, will be modified in Australia to operate up to four helicopters. The Minister noted that both ships are diesel powered, have a relatively capable suite of sensors and weapons, and can be operated by a crew of about 160 personnel. The acquisition would proceed in the first half of 1994, subject to finalising arrangements with the US Government. HMAS Jervis Bay is currently tied up at the Fleet Base in Sydney, after suffering severe engine troubles. She is unlikely to go to sea again as a Navy ship. Crew from Jervis Bay almost certainly will be sent to the USA to take over the LSTS as they become available. A “hot transfer” will be effected so that the ships will be taken over by RAN personnel before they otherwise would be mothballed. Thus they will retain all their equipment and systems, including communications.

It is expected that US Navy personnel will assist in training the RAN crews in US waters before they come to Australia. It is hoped that the first LST will arrive in Sydney in mid year, and the second about four months later. Australian Defence Industries (ADI), whose Naval Engineering Division is located on the western side of Garden Island, Sydney, is likely to win the modification work.

The forward tank landing apparatus is expected to be removed as it is not considered suitable for most of the envisaged operations around Australia or in the region. The LSTs also have a stern loading ramp which will be retained, and new side doors are expected to be installed so that the vessels can load off a normal jetty. Army planning suggests that when operating in the amphibious role, the ships could carry 400-500 troops, equating to about half a full strength battalion plus brigade and battalion headquarters staff.

The four Black Hawk type helicopters which could be hangared on the main deck could be supplemented by other helicopters housed on the lower deck. This would require a lift to be installed to bring them to the main deck. The LST’s would also be capable of carrying the Army’s Leopard tanks, and a range of other vehicles.

Government to Privatise ASTA

The Government owned AeroSpace Technologies of Australia (ASTA) is in the process of being sold.

The Minister for Defence, Senator Robert Ray, announced on December 17 that the Commonwealth, which wholly owns ASTA, would offer its shareholding for sale in 1994.

While the timetable was flexible at the time of the announcement, it hopes to have the sale completed before the middle of the year. Some expressions of interest were made last year. It is understood that ASTA could be sold in its entirety, or by its individual divisions which covers, among other things, civil aircraft components, support and mainte- nance at Fishermans Bend, and Avalon in Victoria, and a defence arm, which includes maintenance of the Black Hawk helicopters at Townsville, and the Squirrel helicopters at the Australian Helicopter School at Fairbairn, ACT.

Senator Ray paid a tribute to the ASTA Board, management and staff who he said had “transformed the former Government Aircraft Factories (GAF) from a defence focused facility which relied on significant Commonwealth subsidies, to a company that now has an aggressive commercial and international focus”.

In 1992/93 ASTA generated in excess of $130m in exports as a result of aero component sales, 747 maintenance contracts and pilot training services.

“In offering the Commonwealth’s shareholding for sale, the Government is determined that ASTA’s enviable relationship with its customers, both in Australia and overseas, and partners will be fully maintained,” Senator Ray said.

“They will be consulted closely before any sale is finalised,” the Minister added. “I am confident that there will be strong interest in the Company and that ASTA has a significant continuing role in a strong export oriented Australian aerospace industry. ” ASTA was established in 1986 to take over the operations of the former Government Aircraft Factories at Fishermans Bend and Avalon. It employs 1740 personnel. ASTA paid the Government $70m for the Commonwealth land and facilities when it was set up.

The sale is being handled by the Defence Department’s Industry Policy division, and the Department of Finance’s Task Force on Assets Sales.