Australia continues to seek a long-range air defense capability for its Navy, but had previously eliminated the idea of providing this for the FFG-7-class frigates it has, and has now decided not to buy the four Kidd-class destroyers from the US. The Kidd's, originally designed for Iran, and basically Spruance-class hulls with two missile launchers. After the fall of the Shah, they were bought by Congress as virtually the first act of the Reagan Administration.--Stephen V Cole
