Indo Pacific 2023: Australian teaming proposes new ‘Tasman-class' corv…

A model of the Tasman-class corvette, offered by Austal, Civmec, and Navantia Australia for the Royal Australian Navy's requirements, on display at Indo Pacific 2023. (via FTI Consulting)

Austal, Civmec, and Navantia Australia have jointly proposed a new corvette design in anticipation of the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) upcoming requirements.

The concept is being proposed “in recognition of the navy's urgent need for increased strike capability”, reads a statement issued by the teaming arrangement in conjunction with the Indo Pacific 2023 maritime exhibition, which is taking place from 7 to 9 October in Sydney.

Australia recently embarked on a Defence Strategic Review (DSR) exercise, which seeks to improve the country's defence posture and structure amid an evolving threat landscape.

Among areas that are being improved in the review include the Australian Defence Force's (ADF's) ability to precisely strike targets at longer ranges, including from its ships.

In view of this requirement, Austal, Civmec, and Navantia Australia have proposed a corvette design that “combines the manoeuvrability of a Tier 2 vessel, with the powerful weaponry of a major surface combatant”, the statement added.

‘Tier 2' refers to Australia's classification for its warships that are not as heavily armed as its primary combatants, which are also referred to as Tier 1 vessels.

The design, which has been dubbed the ‘Tasman class' requires a smaller crew than larger ships, without compromising on integrated anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine, and electronic and asymmetric warfare capabilities, the companies added.

It is derived from Navantia's Avante family and can be armed with launchers for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), Mk 41 vertical launching system cells, and can embark the MH60-R Seahawk helicopter. The corvette will require a crew complement of less than 100.