Smooth Sailing Assured

摘要

To be better equipped to face these threats, the RAN is starting a second phase of transition that will make it one of the most powerful maritime forces in the Asian region. The first phase started about 15 years ago, with the decision to purchase three new Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs) and two amphibious ships, which were designed to plug gaps in capability that had developed over the previous two decades. This was triggered following Australia's involvement in the International Force East Timor (INTERFET) operation in 1999-2000, which severely stretched the sea, air and land transport capabilities of the whole Australian Defence Force (ADF).