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HMAS Australia (ex-HMS Invincible)

In this alternate Cold War timeline, Australia secures a new carrier — but not without a twist of history.

In reality, pursuant to the 1981 Defence White Paper, the sale and transfer of HMS Invincible was negotiated and by 1982 Australia had announced that it had agreed to buy the carrier to replace HMAS Melbourne. However, after the Falklands war broke out in 1982 she was instead rushed into battle with the sale eventually cancelled, as the UK decided to maintain a three carrier force. The RAN then never ended up with a replacement carrier after Melbourne was decommissioned in 1982. What if circumstances were different? HMS Hermes was also rushed into the Falklands war and hypothetically could have also been retained as a larger flagship within the Royal Navy. The below detail explores this potential change in circumstances:

Following the 1982 Falklands War, the UK reassesses its carrier strategy. Rather than decommission HMS Hermes, Britain opts to retain and refit her as the Royal Navy's long-term flagship. To offset cost and reinforce Commonwealth maritime presence in the Pacific, HMS Invincible is offered to Australia again as surplus to requirements. With rising regional tensions, Cold War ramp up and fears over Hong Kong's long-term stability, the RAN leaps at the opportunity.

Commissioned as HMAS Australia (R22) in 1983, the ship serves as the centrepiece of Australia’s revived fixed-wing naval aviation capability, ushering in a new multirole doctrine alongside newer ships coming into service.

• 1983 – Baseline Configuration: Received with standard Sea Dart missile system, Sea Harrier FRS.1 aircraft, Sea King Mk50 and UK sourced Sea King Mk50 AEW.2A. Focused on air defence and ASW, with minor integration of U.S. munitions.
  
  
• 1989 – Mk 13 Refit Variant: Major overhaul replaces Sea Dart with the U.S. Mk 13 launcher, enabling SM-1MR and Harpoon capability. Significant internal restructuring of the magazine and combat system. FRS.2 (AU) multirole Harriers replace the original squadron. Phalanx CIWS upgraded to Block 1 standard.
  
  
• 1999 – The Modern Era: Fully realized multirole strike carrier with SM-1MR Block VIB missiles, Block 1C Harpoon, AMRAAM-capable FA2 (AU) fighters with internal ECM and precision strike laser-designator pods. Upgraded ASW Sea King Mk50B & Sea King Mk50B AEW.5 helicopters and Phalanx CIWS upgraded to Block 1A standard.

The Mk 13 refit likely would have been one of the most expensive and extensive upgrades for a single ship in Australian naval history, but could have been justified for standardisation with other RAN platforms like the Adelaide-class frigate, extended missile logistics life, longer term platform upgrades and the bonus of long-range Harpoon anti-ship strike capability — a critical force multiplier in the Pacific.

• Sea Harrier FRS.1 (AU): Standard British FRS.1 aircraft with minor modifications for U.S. bomb and rocket compatibility. Carried by the 1983 variant with classic hi-vis livery.
  
  
• FRS.2 (AU): With collaboration between British Aerospace and the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation, a new variant was built under licence (and older existing airframes updated) and introduced by 1989, equipped with AGM-65B/F Mavericks and Shrike missiles, plus upgraded avionics and improved ECM pod capability. New low-vis livery used from this time period onwards.
  
  
• F(A).2 (AU): 1990s updated variant of the CAC licence built FRS.2 developed with British FAA collaboration - equipped with Blue Vixen radar, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Australianised LITENING laser designation pod for GBU-12 LGBs & AGM-65E Maverick, AGM-88 HARM, and integrated ECM. The definitive RAN multirole naval fighter.

✅ Three fully realized variants spanning 1983–1999, with the final variant being very capable out into the 2000's
✅ Modular Harrier squadrons reflecting RAN-specific upgrades
✅ Long-range missile capability with SM-1 and Harpoon
✅ Ideal for Cold War or Pacific flashpoint scenarios
✅ Pair with the HMAS Melbourne '84 or '98 mods to create a powerful two-carrier RAN force, for interesting what-if Australian carrier based naval resurgence and alt-history scenarios, with Australian naval independence and the opportunity to make big contributions in larger conflicts with allied navies
✅Pair the 1998 variant with the Gallipoli Class DDG mod to give her a powerful AAW escort

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Royal Navy Mod Pack (Team) - thanks to petrouvis01 for the Invincible model especially
RAN and RCN Sea Kings MOD - by plasm@n
RAN Sea Harrier (fictional) MOD - by plasm@n
New Threat Upgrade - by nuclearstonk


(You will need to look these up on YouTube, I am not sure if the automated content checker is still having issues with links)
Simple Install Guide by Skyblazer
Sealifter and Anchor Chain guide by Brothermunro