Former Defence Department official argues future submarines should be replaced with nuclear-powered ones
A new report says submarines to be built in Adelaide are facing huge challenges and should be powered by nuclear. But it is not the first time this has been said by those spruiking the report.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Naval Group pledges 60 per cent Australian spend
- No word on whether Collins Class maintenance will move
New Adelaide-built submarines should be scrapped for nuclear-powered options, a report to be unveiled today says.
In an address to Canberra’s Press Club, former Defence Department official and intelligence analyst Hugh White will argue the $80 billion program for the 12 new submarines is already “dangerously off track” – a claim strongly denied by the minister responsible.
The man who commissioned the report by Insight Economics, Gary Johnston of Submarines for Australia, said “not only are we heading for an inevitable capability gap,” but there was a high risk the project would fail.
It is not the first time such claims have been made by Mr White or Mr Johnston.
Mr Johnston, the owner of electrical goods store Jaycar, founded Submarines for Australia to argue, in part, for submarines to be nuclear powered for greater efficiencies.
The group commissioned and released a similar report in 2017.
French government-owned company Naval Group is building 12 Attack Class submarines for the Royal Australian Navy at shipyards in Adelaide. Today’s report will propose a “Plan B” that would include the Federal Government commissioning an alternative design for an evolved version of the successful Collins Class submarine – to inject some much needed competition into the process.
The report claims “by the 2030s our submarines’ effectiveness and survivability in a high-intensity theatre will be threatened”.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said she totally rejected the premise that the project was “dangerously off track”.
“The delivery of the Attack Class submarine remains on track, with construction set to commence in 2023,” Senator Reynolds said.
“This assessment by Submarines for Australia will only increase cost, delay the delivery, and put at risk our submarine capability.
“The Attack Class is already benefiting from our deep experience with the Collins Class.”
She said the new submarines would have the “capability to operate effectively in an increasingly challenging environment”.
Senator Reynolds said a nuclear-powered submarine was not being considered as an option.