Hmm sadly mate as a member of a country that relies heavily on sea trade and knows of the importance of keeping open those SeaLoC’s I’d have to say that they are really important. The USN would be in deep poop if they decide to loose this capability from their service.
Look at when the Liberation of Iraq was under way… RN Mine hunters had to go in to clear the harbour around Umqusar so that landing ships could get in. The USN could cut back their fleet of mine hunters though, they have many levels of capabilities but only really need one, Their Avenger class are great ships but a bit to big for most of the work that needs to be done.
The RAN has 6 Huon class which are Aussie versions of the Italian Lerici class, a version of which is also being used by the USN. Now the government is looking at placing the first two (HMAS Huon and Hawksbury) in ready reserve as a measure to a) help improve numbers on the other boats and b) help provide money for the much needed upgrades to the major war units.
Rather than placing them in reserve, why not lease them to either the RNZN, PNGDF or the RFN (Fiji), all of whom could use these ships in a very needed way. They can also be used for patrol duties which helps when the services are short of craft of their own.
Here are some pics for you…
HMAS Gascoyne a Huon class
USS Avenger
The other thing I was looking at discussin was the main gun mounting. We had a 25mm gun on our Huon’s that is stabalised, do you think this is enough or should Mine hunters opt for a bigger gun and thus increase their duties to allow for patrol and attack roles as well? Mount something like a 3’/ 76mm DP Otto.
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