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Australia Buys Spanish Warships In 10 Billion Dollar Deal
Canberra (AFP) June 20, 2007 Australia announced Wednesday that it will spend 9.3 billion US dollars on five Spanish-designed warships to boost its capacity to face military threats in the region. The deal involves three F100 air warfare destroyers designed by the Spanish state-owned company Navantia -- chosen over a US design -- and two giant Navantia landing ships. The destroyers could eventually be equipped with SM-3 missiles if Australia joins a planned US-Japan sea-borne missile defence system to combat threats in Asia. They will be Australia's most advanced and expensive warships "This does represent a massive lift in the Royal Australian Navy air warfare capability," Prime Minister John Howard told a news conference, adding they would be equipped with the most capable air combat system in the world. Australia is a close ally of the United States, having deployed troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said the new ships would enhance cooperation with the US navy. "The 48 missile cells on this ship, the Aegis combat system on air warfare, that and many other things make it fully interoperable with our key ally the United States," he said. Australia and the US on Monday launched a massive war game aimed at honing their ability to act together against threats to Asia-Pacific security. More than 20,000 US troops and 12,000 Australians, backed by a total of 30 ships and 125 aircraft, are involved in "Operation Talisman Sabre 2007" on the northeast coast until July 2. The new destroyers will be delivered between 2014 and 2017. The huge amphibious landing ships would help Australia deploy troops rapidly and in strength, Howard said. "They will greatly enhance Australia's ability to send forces in strength when required, particularly in our own region but not, of course, restricted to our own region," he said. "They will be able to land over 1,000 personnel along with their vehicles -- the new M1 Abrams tanks, artillery and supplies, and using integrated helicopters and water craft." The navy reportedly favoured a larger, US-designed destroyer which could be more readily updated with changing technology, has a longer range, and carries more missiles and an extra helicopter. But chief of the Navy Vice Admiral Russ Shalders said he "absolutely" supported the government's decision to purchase the Spanish warships instead of the US-designed vessels. "The navy is very excited, very optimistic about both of these decisions," Vice Admiral Shalders told the news conference. Spain will build the hulls of the two landing ships and parts of the destroyers, with the rest of the work done at shipyards around Australia.
Source: Agence France-Presse
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