![]() Senior leaders from Australia and the United Kingdom have instead suggested that the chosen design will be a genuinely “trilateral effort” and a “tri-nation project.” Even if Australia was to acquire an Astute-class submarine, there would be challenges integrating the onboard combat system, as it differs from that of current Australian and American fleets. The United Kingdom is undertaking a sequential build process whereby it is moving to build its Dreadnought-class ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN) program while designing the Astute-class replacement. Similarly, choosing to extend the UK’s Astute-class program is unlikely. The US submarine option had another setback recently with revelations that four of its submarine dry docks would be closed for repairs against potential earthquake damage. submarine industrial base to the breaking point.” A bipartisan group of US congressmen were quick to reiterate their support for AUKUS once the story broke, insisting it would be a “ rising tide that lifts all boats.” This support notwithstanding, the United States is currently struggling to build the two boats per year needed to achieve its own force-level goal of 60 to 69 SSNs by 2052. In January 2023, a leaked letter by US senators Jack Reed and James Inhofe, the Chairman and then-ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, raised concerns about AUKUS “stressing the U.S. However, the option of a so-called “off-the-shelf” purchase of either submarine is unlikely. The initial frontrunners were the US Virginia-class or UK Astute-class attack submarines. ![]() What kind of nuclear-powered submarine Australia will acquire has inspired intense speculation. The announcement could flag high-level intent to fast-track regulatory reforms for the submarine project. The location of the new east coast naval base could feature in the submarine announcement. ![]() Insight will be provided into Australia’s use of nuclear technology, though it will not completely allay regional concerns nor misinformation. Workforce education and training programs may expand, with details to emerge in subsequent consultations. New debate will emerge about the relationship between Australia’s sovereign capacity and control.Ī top-line figure has been promised, with more detail expected after the Federal Budget in May 2023. It foreshadows possible decisions in eight priority areas: the chosen submarine build, a potential interim capability gap, sovereignty considerations, costing, workforce demands, nuclear stewardship, force posture and structure and export controls.Įight things to watch for in the AUKUS announcementĪn off-the-shelf acquisition is highly unlikely, with a tri-national build the frontrunner.Īustralia is unlikely to acquire an interim conventionally powered submarine. With the completion of the initial 18-month consultation period, this explainer surveys official statements and remarks to uncover clues about the forthcoming submarine announcement. At the same time, much remained uncertain about the scope, cost and timeline of the AUKUS submarine capability. Prime Minister Albanese has described it as “the single biggest leap in our defence capability in our history.”īy the AUKUS partnership’s first anniversary in September 2022, promising early efforts had been made to invest in infrastructure, form the necessary information-sharing agreements and establish training programs. In March, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden will announce the " optimal pathway" by which Australia will acquire at least eight nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines (SSN) under the AUKUS partnership. Australia is fast approaching a watershed moment for its national security.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |