The Royal Australian Navy’s Landing Helicopter Docks: self-defence upgrades

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article investigates the need and the means to upgrade the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) two Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships. The LHDs provide a substantial force projection capability and must be deployable in order to function effectively. However, regional military modernisation programs; modest LHD self-defence capabilities and the area-defence limitations of the RAN surface fleet significantly raise the risk of losing one or both LHDs to enemy action. Due to the inherent value of the ships and their cargo, the loss of even one LHD would be untenable for Australia to bear. This article advocates that the projected threat environment demands that the LHDs are upgraded, preferably with a layered self-defence capability against air, surface and undersea threats. Areas not within the scope of this paper provide fertile ground for future research into the political and budgetary dimensions of any future LHD self-defence upgrade program.