Australia can build its own Strike group. x2

 

2 x AWD

1 x LHD (carrying F-35b)'s.

1 x Collins class

1 x Anzac

1 x RoRo (yet to be tendered)

 

 Any or all of these could be used in a multinational effort.

OK, lately there have been a few topics on the British, French, US Navies which seem to pit these apparently allied navies against each other in a "who's got the biggest stick" competition.(which is all rather silly and pointless, we are supposed to be allies/partners after all)

In an effort to see how cooperative we can be instead, I thought it would be interesting to see what you guys can come up with for a force mix for an allied (RN, French {MN?}, USN) CBG? 
For example: centered around the CDG, is a Ticonderoga, an Arleigh Burke, a Type 42, a Type 23, a La Fayette, and a Trafalgar SSN.
There must be at least one vessel from each participating country. (and don't all just go for a Nimitz at the centre...let's be creative folks!)

Try to look at the strengths each navy/vessel can be add to your CBG.(rather than just taking the pi$$ out of each other)
I know there are lots of variables like "what's the mission" but this is just meant as a bit of fun, so go crazy with what CBG you would send for a specific mission.

Later, we can maybe look at an all Euro CBG, or a Five Power GBG? (otherwise the aussies will feel left out ;-) )

I submit the following for comment.

 

EU notional;

 

CTF assigned to UN peacekeeping and aid mission East Africa.[Eritrea disaster relief]

 

Illistrious and Giuseppe Garibaldi as the command ships operating their respective Harriers.

 

Type 42 and Type 23 frigates for AAW/ASW defense

 

One or two Dutch, German and Spanish frigates to supplement the defense.

 

San Giorgio class amphibious transport dock ship for troops and amphib capacity. 

 

A Dusquense underway replenishment ship as well as one of the RN Fort class for logistics plusn hired commercial oilers and cargo ships as needed..

 

Two of the Amythyst/Rubens class SSKNs [check the ocean depths for why]

 

A Norwegian AAW frigate for the air battle management in addition to the Type 42

 

And for anti-piracy work close inshore a couple of very good  Maestrales, and a couple of  Laughitups.

 

Commanding I would want an English Admiral assisted by Dutch and Italian naval staff officers, with the French staff element handling most of the at sea logistics, and handling some but NOT ALL of the submarine operations as directed by the SOTC.

 

Herald  

 

 

 or a Five Power GBG? (otherwise the aussies will feel left out ;-) )

we'll sit it out, you blokes will be arguing with each other before we even get there.  sort out the ROE's and SOFA (as sooner or later you'll have to dock) and then we'll come along for the ride.

Is this mission specific?  if not, then you already have the only non-US working marine expeditionary unit available (dutch and RN expeditionary group).  Nobody else practices together as intensively (eu level), or has such a length of long term co-operative work up experience over time.

 

are you looking at denial or strike?  as either starts to define the lead vessels (eg CVN or CVL) and depending on the threat - it will also determine what air suppression you need (eg Tico's, Spanish F-100's), CAP issues (CVN provides persistence)

 

then there is the non trivial issue of how long this group is at sea - as the CVN is the best organic provisioning asset you have - then the CVL's - after that you're starting to have to look at AOR capability.

 

so, it gets down to a blue water fight, green water fight, contested battlespace issues etc......

 

The forthcoming RAN LHD's and AWD's were what I had in mind as a centre for a Five Power CBG. ;-)
When these become available, the RAN will be capable of putting together a very useful CBG, but remember, the object of the excercise is co-operation, and integration of allied units. (For example, design a five power CBG, so try to find room for UK, Malaysian, Singaporean, and NZ units...what can they bring to the party?)

 

Herald:

What do you think of this one :

- Charles de Gaulle (Fr)

- Daring (UK), and Alvaro de Bazan (ESP, AEGIS frigate) for Air defense

Give DARING a better missile fit-navalized PAC III and ESSM/RAM? 

- Astute (UK) SSN
Pending Barracuda nothing finer except maybe SEAWOLF

- 1 or 2 Gaeta (It) anti mine

Good but SLOW.


- De Grasse (Fr) anti submarine

Also good but how about giving it a partner? NANSEN?  Better air defense and gives you added ASW. Nothing frightens navies  more than subs.

- Durance (Fr) Tanker and supply

Good choice. Maybe a FORT as well?

That would make the best european battlegroup I can think of!!

How about this one. Japan, Australia and the US join forces to secure a country in the region under collapse.

 

1 x Canberra class LHD operating 20 x USMC F-35B's exclusively

1 x US WASP LHD (US) with amphib landing

1 x Osumi class LST (Japan) primary operating helicopters

1 x Ticonderoga cruiser (USA)

2 x Hobart Class AWD

1 x Atago class Destroyer

1 x Kongo class Destroyer

 

 Or how about the combined power of Australia, Spain and Dutch ships.

 

1 x Australian Canberra (27,000 tons)

1 x Juan Carlos (27,000 tons) (operating primary as fixed wing carrier)

1 x Galicia LPD (12,700 tons)

1 x Rotterdam LPD (12,700 tons)

2 x Hobarts (aus)

2 x F100 (spain)

2 x F802 (Dutch)

2 x Collins

1 x Walrus

1 x Tramontana (S 74)

 

 In some sort of weird shared operator, small projecting power taskforce. It would have a strong amphibious power and respectable air support. It would have enough destroyers, and two of the countries own Tomahawks. Some sort of three way agreement to help out in again, some sort of country instability/peace keeping operation where CVN air power isn't required.

 

 Actually depending on how things work out these three countries could form a very powerful taskforce, or multiple task forces.

thats a bit optimistic,   there's a fundamental real estate problem, and not just on top!  the best thing would be to hot swap with the Wasp as she has greater real estate and internal volume to shuffle aircraft like the JSFb's.  eg Canberra can barely run 4-5 concurrent lift offs - and then she has to reload the lifts and get aircraft in place.

 

The Canberra is best left to ASW or rotor insertion roles.  It also means that she acts as a pickup asset for any other skimmers rotors who get caught short.

 

 

Well its possible. Im sure both the RAN and the USMC would be extremely interested to see how the Wasp's and the Canberras work together. Given that both are capable of Fixed wing aviation, but in a limited manner. Together they could operate more effectively. The USMC would really like to operate more fixed wing aircraft off/near its LHD's.

 

 With two ships you can have landing and take off simultaniously. You have twice the lifts, and more hanger space. You have a much greater total deck space.  One can conduct air ops as the other drops its well dock and starts unloading.

 

Hot swap, sharing, alternating F-35's between the two ships could resolve a lot of the problems and really improve sortie rates. Together they could operate ~24 fixed wing aircraft. This would free the USN carriers up for pure navy ops, again increasing sortie rates. Further enhancing the entire outcome for all involved.

 

 If Australia ever got a third LHD (or say spains LHD) ,between two 27,000 t ships a simular load sharing arrangement could be made. Resulting in capabilities much greater than its parts. Not only that, but Amphibious operatations would also be enhanced. Twice the well docks, landing craft, helo spots, troop capacity. One could be optimised for fixed wing operations.