Navy set to be more capable than ever

New warships will give Australia's navy more capability than ever before, with some help from the US Marines, Defence Minister Stephen Smith says.

Speaking at the navy's Sea Power Conference in Sydney, Mr Smith noted the navy was set to acquire two new landing helicopter dock (LHD) ships, their largest vessels ever, three advanced air warfare destroyers and 12 next generation submarines.

As well, the navy's eight Anzac frigates were being upgraded with new radars and missile defences while 24 new Seahawk helicopters would give warships a greatly enhanced combat capability.

"In the coming years we will see Australia's Navy reach a level of capability it never previously contemplated," Mr Smith said on Tuesday.

"A strong, capable and versatile Navy able to undertake the full spectrum of operations is a key element of any maritime nation's strategic planning."

Mr Smith said the hull of the first of two LHDs would arrive in Melbourne arrive from Spain for fitout later this year.

He said each 28,000-ton LHD was capable of carrying a combined armed battlegroup of more than 1100 personnel, 100 armoured vehicles and 12 helicopters, as well as a 40-bed hospital.

"The introduction into service of these ships will mark a significant change in the way the Australian Defence Force (ADF) deploys its land forces and conducts amphibious operations," he said.

As well, the army has launched Plan Beersheba to restructure its forces into a form better able to deal with future challenges.

As part of that, the Townsville-based 2nd Battalion (2RAR) will form the core of a new amphibious force, able to deploy into the region to conduct military or relief operations.

It's there the US can help.

Under the plan for increased military cooperation announced during the visit of United States President Barack Obama in November, US forces will train for six months at a time in northern Australia.

Mr Smith said the initial deployment would consist of a small liaison element and a company of 250 US Marines, expanding over the next five to six years years to a full Marine Air Ground Task Force of 2,500.

"The increased training and exercising with the US Marines will be an important opportunity for the ADF to build and refine its amphibious capability as the LHDs come on line and as the ADF implements Plan Beersheba," he said.

Mr Smith said the government was still examining another part of the plan announced during the Obama visit, the possibility of increased US access to Australia's Indian Ocean port, HMAS Stirling.