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A recent Special Report (Issue 21 February 2009) produced by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) discusses future plans of Australian naval combat helicopters.

The failure of the Seasprite program as that billion dollar disaster is described, has left the RAN without a capable fighting helicopter to embark on its fleet. This refers to the lack of a helicopter able to carry active dipping sonar and an anti-shipping missile.

The paper describes two possible replacements for the lost Seasprite capability. Both are well down the delivery track and neither is entirely suitable for tasks that now should include service on board the Canberra-class amphibious ships and the Air Warfare Destroyers if and when they finally arrive as well as the eight ANZAC frigates.

This note servers only to draw attention to some comments pertinent to the selection process that stem from the failure of the Seasprite program.

Australia-unique complex integration issues must be avoided if at all possible in ant defence planning for a future naval helicopter. As the report puts it…”to avoid complicating any further acquisitions by imposing Australia-unique modifications on otherwise off-the-shelf platforms —another historically proven method for generating cost and schedule overruns.” How true.

We are reminded by this pointed critique that the New Zealand Seasprites, complete with a proven anti-shipping missile, were bought off-the-shelf and have now been in operation on RNZN ANZAC frigates for a number of years.

The ASOPI Report makes a further point that sets alarm bells ringing. The final abandonment of the Australian Seasprites came about when it proved impossible to obtain operational certification. While discussing the advantages of adherence to baseline USN system configurations we are reminded that …”attempting to do otherwise would also bring with it the time, cost and effort required to recertify the helicopter—an issue that has caused problems for the Tiger Armed ?Reconnaissance helicopter and Seasprite programs.”

This is possibly the first reported mention of certification problems with the Tiger helicopter, due for entry into service with full operational capacity in December 2011.

Is the passion for Australianization going to delay interminably another project and even bring it down?