Vice Admiral David Shackleton says Australia's troubled $45 billion future frigate program should be scrapped, arguing the British-designed warships 'won't give the government a range of military options it could need for managing a conflict'.
A former chief of navy says Australia's troubled $45 billion future frigate program should be scrapped, arguing the British-designed warships will not be powerful enough.A British company was selected over rival bids to build nine new anti-submarine warfare frigatesHe says the vessels "won't give the government a range of military options it could need for managing a conflict"
In a new report, retired Vice Admiral David Shackleton suggests Defence instead negotiate with the United States on building Arleigh Burke-class destroyers locally, and if that is not possible, to commission the construction of more Hobart-class destroyers.
"The Hunter frigate program in its current form should be stopped and redirected," Vice Admiral Shackleton writes in a report published by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute . "The Hunters aren't powerful enough ships for what the Navy needs and won't give the government a range of military options it could need for managing a conflict.
"A misguided emphasis on optimisation for ASW operations has resulted in Australia choosing a ship unsuited for its needs — a change of direction is needed".
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