Australia wants total Japanese cooperation on submarines

AUSTRALIA will push the Japanese Government for total technology transfer and full ownership of intellectual property - regardless of where the navy’s future submarines are built.

AUSTRALIA will push the Japanese Government for total technology transfer and full ownership of intellectual property - regardless of where the navy’s future submarines are built.

Defence Minister Kevin Andrews will next week visit a Soryu Class submarine and conduct high-level talks with senior government and industry officials during his first visit to a Japanese submarine base and the huge Kobe shipyards near Osaka.

Aside from jobs and politics the important issues when it comes to military purchases are technology transfer and IP so that the equipment can be maintained and upgraded through its life.

Open secrets

One of the biggest problems with the Swedish designed Collins Class boats was an argument over intellectual property that was lost by the Australian Government after Sweden refused to cooperate and hand over rights to sensitive information.

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The Soryu Class is the Abbott Government’s favoured option for the next generation Australian submarine despite a long list of key risks - including Japan’s lack of defence export culture and experience.

It is the largest and reportedly stealthiest of all non-nuclear boats and supporters insist it can be delivered in time to replace the retiring Collins Class boats under a $50 billion through-life project.

Sinking feeling ... The crew of HMAS Waller prepare to come alongside Fleet Base West, on their arrival home from a five month deployment. Picture: Defence

However little is known about the 4200-tonne Japanese boat, its capabilities and limitations.

It would likely require major modifications to meet Australian requirements for extra endurance and range.

Japanese options open

According to senior defence sources all options for a Japanese build remain on the table including the “hybrid build” where boats one to four would be built at the Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe shipyards.

That would allow boats three and four to constructed under a cooperative build arrangement with workers from the government owned Adelaide shipbuilder ASC.

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Boats five to eight could then be built in Adelaide under a total technology and IP transfer agreement.

“This will form part of the discussions when the minister is in Japan,” a source said.

The minister’s office confirmed that high level discussions would be held next week.

One-horse race?

Defence is conducting what the government calls a “competitive evaluation process” (CEP) - not a formal tender - between Japan, Germany and France.

Mr Andrews has already toured DCNS in France and Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems in Germany.

A French delegation is in Australia this week to examine the project.

The Minister’s trip to Japan will follow a major regional security speech at the Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore on Sunday.

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TKMS has pledged to build up to 12 boats for $20 billion and it would purchase ASC and expand the Adelaide yard to build the subs and future frigates.

In opposition the Abbott Government repeatedly promised that it would “build 12 new submarines in Adelaide.

The Government will release a new Defence White Paper later this year that will include at least eight new submarines and a defence capability plan.