Pacific 2019: Australian frigates sit in a timing ‘sweet spot’

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• Suppliers await next step in Australia’s mine warfare transition

  Australia’s mine countermeasure capability remains in flux as the Huon-class nears retirement, but accelerated investment in autonomous systems is opening a path for industry.

• Can the US Navy ask Indo-Pacific allies to do more while training with them less?

  As the Iran War draws US ships and marine corps units away from the Indo-Pacific, curtailed exercises and a temporary carrier gap are exposing tensions between Washington’s demand for more self-reliant allies and the joint training needed to realise that ambition.

• How could Rheinmetall’s GMF 140 fit with ongoing programmes in North America?

  With Canada committed to its River-class replacement and the USN pursuing a lower-cost frigate, Rheinmetall will need to demonstrate where the GMF 140 can fill a capability gap in the North American fleet.

• Australian industry programme builds pipeline for Virginia-class sustainment

  Australian businesses can now bid to support Virginia-class submarine sustainment in Western Australia, as momentum around the Henderson Defence Precinct also builds.

• South Korea, Japan and Turkey vie for US shipbuilding access in future frigate contest

  Washington’s search for a foreign-built frigate could hand South Korea, Japan and Turkey a larger prize than a double-hull order: a foothold inside the US shipbuilding industrial base.

• Japan’s FY2027 budget bets on stand-off systems to offset demographic decline

  Japan’s FY2027 defence budget backs stand-off strike, a 17-aircraft MQ-9B buy and a declared bid to lead the world in uncrewed maritime assets, alongside new frigates, submarines and support ships.