
spazsinbad wrote:For a start Australia is not looking for a 3rd or any other flat deck ship for the time being. So in my book any thing goes. Best if Australia is going to operate F-35Bs (and this is not planned either) then a purpose designed for F-35Bs flat deck ship is best with a running mate also. However first things first. For the RAN and ADF in general the introduction of the two LHDs is a really big deal game changer. It will take some time to adjust. After that - who knows. Australia has a population of around 22 million with an huge land mass and sea boundaries with associated islands and waterways to patrol. We take it all one step at a time; unless of course the local environment changes dramatically.
The Canberras will be great for what Oz wants them to do, namely, moving lots of *stuff* from place to place. As for purpose designed Bee carriers, that's a heady prospect, especially since Japan, Korea, and Oz haven't seen the obvious advantages of cooperation in ship construction and design. You Westpacs need to work together more.