Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/natio...es/2438160.aspx

 

Teaser: American nuclear submarines could call Australia home if a proposal by two of Australia's leading Defence experts is included in the 2014 Defence White Paper.

 

This WP should be an interesting read. This could provide an interesting twist for A-P area scenario design.

Interesting article, especially how they bend it to suggest Australia should acquire its own nukes. I certainly wouldn't complain if they did, some old 688 boats perhaps as a start

Amen and Amen. It would be like the Upholder deal that the UK worked with Canada, but these subs will actually work.

Amen and Amen. It would be like the Upholder deal that the UK worked with Canada, but these subs will actually work.

 

Thanks for rubbing that in.

 

The Aussies would be better off trying to get into the Virginia program. Side benefits for everyone.

The Aussies would be better off trying to get into the Virginia program. Side benefits for everyone.

 

I could get behind that, that's potentially a big step up in initial cost though from low/no cost veteran platform with surplus support equipment assumedly available.

Y'all are quite right. The economies of scale would work in everybodies favor.

I could get behind that, that's potentially a big step up in initial cost though from low/no cost veteran platform with surplus support equipment assumedly available.

 

Making the jump to nuke boat is going to be expensive in either case. Heck, submarines are expensive, period. The Aussies have learned that already with the Collins "experience". With the 688's being slowly phased out, and the Virginias already embarking on a phased upgrade, they ought to get aboard now.

 

(And for that matter, so should we, making some room in the budget by dispensing with the F-35A buy. )

You got that right! By the way, I think the Aussies would be one Navy that could really use the second hand LA's or even the Virginia's. Granted the support facilities would also need to be constructed.