Australia’s pathway to AUKUS submarines is attended by risk
The SSN-AUKUS will be the Royal Navy's successor to the Astute class, as well as Australia's first SSN. (Photo: UK MoD)
Australia's journey towards obtaining nuclear-powered attack submarines is fraught with financial, technical and political risk.
On 13 March, the leaders of Australia, the UK and the US assembled at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego to jointly announce the ‘optimal pathway’ forward in Canberra’s ambition to field SSNs. However, the effort will come with an enormous price tag in monetary terms and risk.
The revelation of the plan followed an 18-month consultation on the best option to get SSNs into the hands of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) after AUKUS was inaugurated on 15 September 2021.
As Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles acknowledged, ‘Today’s announcement is the single biggest investment in our defence capability
Access this article and other Decisive Edge Newsletter news content with a free basic account
Create account
You will also get one free Premium News article each week
Already have an account? Log in
More from Decisive Edge Newsletter
-
![Final two contenders for key £2 billion British Army training contract selected]()
Final two contenders for key £2 billion British Army training contract selected
The two remaining bidders for the flagship Army Collective Training Service (ACTS) contract will move on to the next 20-week phase to select the British Army's Strategic Training Partner.
-
![Cubic tailors mortar simulator for the US Army]()
Cubic tailors mortar simulator for the US Army
The company’s mortar trainer received improvements based on soldier’s feedback.
-
![China unveils new military kit and demonstrates technological prowess]()
China unveils new military kit and demonstrates technological prowess
From the J-35A twin-engine fighter and the CH-7 stealth surveillance platform, to the Smart-configuration Support UAV and JARI-USV-A unmanned surface vessel, China has been showcasing its ability to project military power through recent technological innovations.
-
![I/ITSEC 2024: Zeiss introduces Velvet 4K SIM projector for night flight simulation]()
I/ITSEC 2024: Zeiss introduces Velvet 4K SIM projector for night flight simulation
The next-generation platform is motion-compatible and can be used in OTW and NVG applications.
-
![I/ITSEC 2024: Babcock Immersive Training Experience debuts in US]()
I/ITSEC 2024: Babcock Immersive Training Experience debuts in US
Named BITE, the system simulates the battlefield environment with multiple sensorial stimuli.
-
![What Saudi Arabia’s GCAP involvement could mean for the UK]()
What Saudi Arabia’s GCAP involvement could mean for the UK
Analysts have said that making space for the country in the sixth-gen fighter aircraft initiative could give the UK a chance to ease the financial burden of the aircraft’s development.
