Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:36:50-2:38:30

Why Australia selected Spanish warship designs

Spanish destroyer and LHD designs offered Australia capable ships at manageable cost and crew size when American, British, French, and Italian alternatives fit less well.

Amphibious WarfareCanberra Class Landing Helicopter DocksHobart Class DestroyersJuan Carlos I Class Amphibious Assault ShipsMark 41 VLSNaval ProcurementRoyal Australian NavyType 45 Destroyer
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Question

Why did Australia choose Spanish designs for its LHDs and air-warfare destroyers?

Short answer

They combined capability, affordability, and practical crew requirements better than the available American and European alternatives.

Notes

Spanish designs combined suitable capability with affordable prices and manageable crew requirements. American amphibious ships would have absorbed too much of Australia's naval personnel, while the Type 45 program did not align with the Hobart schedule. A full twelve-ship Type 45 order, with Mk 41 launchers in the later six ships as envisaged here, could have made a British derivative more attractive. For the LHD requirement, Juan Carlos I was available before Italy's Trieste, while the French alternatives were considered less suitable for Pacific operations. The small number of practical choices helped favour the Spanish design.