Australia’s Submarine Dilemma
The government of Australia came under fresh pressure to reject Japanese submarines as the spearhead for a new undersea fleet, with one of the country’s top security think-tanks urging consideration of a homegrown naval deterrent, reports WSJ
Australia needs new submarines. That much is clear. Where these subs are to come from and where exactly they will be built remains far less clear.
New Defense Minister Kevin Andrews will today inspect the Adelaide shipyards of the submarine builders, ASC, as he prepares to make a decision on whether to hold a tender competition for a A$25 billion fleet of new conventional submarines
Federal Liberals in the state are already furiously lobbying him to build the next fleet locally, rather than opt for an overseas design.
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute also said the possible acquisition of Japanese submarines by Australia raised significant challenges.
The case for building the next generation of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) submarines in Australia begins with the stand-out attributes that make submarines so important for Australia as a whole: they must be able to operate in areas a long way from home, without air or sea control, to watch, listen, evaluate and act when necessary.
Australia’s government is urgently looking to replace its aging fleet of six Collins-class submarines, which has been plagued by reliability and noise problems since its 1996 introduction.
Japan’s 4,000-ton Soryu-class submarine “appears to have less payload, endurance and mobility” than Australia’s current Collins-class submarines, said the government-backed institute, which provides independent defense advice and to cabinet ministers and the military.
Quite apart from the suitability of the design, a Japanese purchase would entail particular risks. The prospects for difficulties arising from cultural differences with Japan are significant. Accessing all the relevant technologies during the course of an overseas build of a complex vessel and understanding the design intent (critical to supporting the submarine) would be extraordinarily ambitious and inherently risky. And Japan has no experience with foreign customers for military exports.
Submarines are at the heart of Australia’s plans to beef up its military capabilities, driven by worries over Chinese muscle-flexing in territorial disputes with its neighbors.