What, exactly, is Australia’s intended fleet of nuclear-powered submarines supposed to do? It’s reasonable to ask the question, because the government has not spelled out the roles of the vessels. Nonetheless, the answer is clear. Operating as part of a coalition in a major-power war to defend...
Of all the problems confronting the nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) component of AUKUS, perhaps the most significant, yet relatively unremarked upon, concerns the question of how the submarines will contribute to deterrence. The tenor of some recent commentary betrays confusion about what...
Darwin Port should continue to be subject to regulatory oversight of access to, and pricing of, services – that’s the main conclusion of Utilities Commission of the Northern Territory. The commission is an independent statutory body that oversees various sectors, including ports, in the Northern...
Today marks 12 months since the release of the “optimal pathway” Australia needed to follow to acquire a force of nuclear-powered and conventionally-armed attack submarines (SSNs) under the AUKUS agreement with the United States and the UK. The milestone has been marked by claims that domestic...
I have previously argued for Australia to take an active role in the design and procurement process for the nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarine (SSN) to be acquired under the AUKUS agreement with the US and UK. That is essential to ensure an Australian based, reliable and sovereign...
The SSN AUKUS “optimal pathway” calls for the UK to build the first of the nuclear-powered and conventionally-armed attack submarines at Barrow in Furness, starting as early as the late 2020s. The submarine is expected to be operational as early as the late 2030s—approximately 10 years to build and...
Released 10 months after the defence strategic review (DSR), the annexed and long-awaited review of the Royal Australian Navy’s surface combatant fleet has finally brought some much-needed clarity on the RAN’s ambitions to expand and add potency to its current inventory of eight frigates and three...
This week’s unveiling of the expansionary blueprint for Australia’s future naval surface fleet brings with it a golden opportunity to revive defence cooperation between Australia and its occasionally ambivalent ally, New Zealand. Specifically, the announcement that Australia will acquire up to 11 general purpose frigates opens the door for New Zealand to join the acquisition […]
The post OPINION | Australia’s “tier 2” naval expansion opens the door for the Anzac frigate redux appeared first on Ba...
Doubts about America’s capacity to build and then sell to Australia a series of Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) under the AUKUS agreement have led Matthew Mai to conclude that, “It is unlikely the United States will be able to deliver SSNs within the timeline laid out”. I agree...
Over decades, a truism has matured that modern technology, surveillance systems and weapons have evolved to the point where surface warships will not survive in a high intensity conflict. So, given the major increase in the size and lethality of the Royal Australian Navy announced this week, how has that thinking changed? Navy chief Vice […]
The post OPINION | Navy chief Mark Hammond: With a well-designed campaign, surface warships can operate in a high intensity conflict appeared first on Baird...