Can Australia handle its new fleet of nuclear submarines? | Four Corners
ABC News In-depth・29 minutes read
Australia's plan to construct nuclear-powered submarines is a significant security enhancement aligning with the United States, with a projected cost of $368 billion over 32 years. Concerns exist about managing this complex nuclear submarine program, especially given Australia's reliance on the aging Collins-class submarines and challenges in building a domestic submarine workforce.
Insights
- Australia's plan to construct nuclear-powered submarines is a significant security enhancement, aligning the country closely with the United States and necessitating a massive investment of $368 billion over 32 years.
- The development of a nuclear submarine industry in Australia faces challenges, including the need to triple the number of submariners, establish a domestic submarine workforce, and create new infrastructure for safety, maintenance, and waste management to support the nuclear submarines.
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Recent questions
What are the advantages of nuclear submarines?
Nuclear submarines offer speed, endurance, and increased weaponry capacity compared to conventional submarines.
What are the risks associated with Australia's nuclear submarine project?
The nuclear submarine project poses significant financial risks, estimated at $368 billion over 32 years, and leaves Australia vulnerable until the new submarines are operational.
How does Australia plan to acquire nuclear submarines?
Australia plans to acquire used Virginia-class submarines from the US by the early 2030s and new UK and US-designed submarines by the 2040s.
What challenges does Australia face in building a nuclear submarine capability?
Australia faces challenges such as the need to triple the number of submariners to nearly 3,000 and concerns about the lack of a strong domestic submarine workforce.
What is the significance of the Ghost Shark drone in naval warfare?
The Ghost Shark drone is developed to counter potential threats from uncrewed underwater drones, showcasing the evolving nature of naval warfare.
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Summary
00:00
Australia's Nuclear Submarine Project: Security Upgrade
- A single torpedo from a submarine can severely damage a warship, earning submarines the nickname "silent service."
- Australia plans to construct eight nuclear-powered submarines, its largest defense project, aiming to join the elite nuclear submarine-operating countries.
- The government views this nuclear submarine project as a significant security enhancement, aligning Australia closely with the United States.
- The cost of this nuclear submarine endeavor is estimated at $368 billion over 32 years, with significant risks involved.
- Australia's current reliance on the aging Collins-class submarines leaves it vulnerable until the nuclear submarines are operational.
- The Collins-class submarines, despite being reliable currently, face increasing unreliability and vulnerability as they age.
- Australia plans to acquire used Virginia-class nuclear submarines from the US by the early 2030s and new UK and US-designed submarines by the 2040s.
- The nuclear submarines offer significant advantages over conventional submarines, including speed, endurance, and weaponry capacity.
- The Collins-class submarines have faced operational challenges and maintenance issues, with the Navy struggling to meet its submarine availability targets.
- Concerns exist about Australia's ability to manage a complex nuclear submarine program given the current state of the Collins-class submarines.
20:40
"Collins Fleet Extension Raises Nuclear Submarine Concerns"
- Marcus Helia, a former Defense Department analyst, emphasizes the importance of maintaining the Collins Fleet for submariners, crucial for nuclear submarine operations.
- The plan involves extending the life of the Collins class submarines for another 20 years, costing an additional six billion dollars.
- The life extension process includes cutting the submarine in half to replace diesel engines and submarine bay motors, along with electronic and system upgrades.
- Doubts exist regarding the feasibility of having the submarines back in the water within two years.
- Australia's history of missteps and political indecision has led to delays in replacing the Collins class submarines.
- Various proposals for submarine replacements have been considered, with costs escalating from 50 billion to 80 billion dollars, and now a forecasted cost of 32 million dollars a day for 32 years for nuclear submarines.
- The Navy faces challenges in building a nuclear submarine capability, including the need to triple the number of submariners to nearly 3,000.
- Australia's heavy reliance on overseas commanders for submarine operations raises concerns about the lack of a strong domestic submarine workforce.
- The plan to build a nuclear submarine industry involves adding at least 11 new reactors over the next 30 years, necessitating a new industry for safety, maintenance, and waste management.
- The Navy is developing a drone, named Ghost Shark, to counter potential threats from uncrewed underwater drones, highlighting the evolving nature of naval warfare.
39:42
"AI Dive LD Project Addresses Undersea Gap"
- David Goodrich, the executive chairman of Andrew Australia, is funding half of a $140 million project involving a Silicon Valley startup that will utilize artificial intelligence in the development of a commercial variant called Dive LD for various industries.
- The urgency behind this project stems from the unstable geopolitical circumstances in the Indo-Pacific region, with a recognized undersea capability gap that needs to be addressed to fill the time frame difference between existing submarines and new nuclear-powered ones, emphasizing the need for leveraging unmanned underwater systems to keep up with advancements like those made by China in unmanned technology.
