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December 12, 1999

Australia bought two tank landing ships from the US, but because they have been in mothballs for up to four years, it is taking longer than expected to get the main engines and other systems to work. This will delay their service entry by three months. Once the two ships are in operation, Australia will have the capability to land an entire battalion of troops, something unique in the region. No country closer than China or the US can land an entire battalion at once.--Stephen V Cole