SSNs for Australia

Actually, we don't know what France would have done or will do in the future if someone actually asks. This are political decisions and depend on what the people in power think at a specific time. Australia specifically asked for a conventional AIP since they had a long standing non-nuclear policy. The new government changed its mind obviously, and we don't know what a future government might think, and that's valid for all sides involved.

 

March 13th 2023 SSN-AUKUS announcement.

The deal seems to be in 4 parts.

1) Immediate: Embedding Australian crews in UK and US submarines to gain technical culture and experience. Also building up the Australian industrial base to perform maintenance on UK and US SSN's
2) Starting 2027: Basing UK and US SSN's in Australia. Most likely doing some maintenance work there to build familiarity.
3) Early 2030's: Australian purchase of 3 to 5 US 774 class. It is unclear if they will be new builds or which Block considering the introduction of the US SSN(X) (2033/34) and the proposed UK SSN(R) ASTUTE replacement (late 2020's/early 2030's) timeline. The 4 Block I boats and some Block II's will be up for mid-life overhauls about that time.
4) Unstated but most likely Mid 2030's: SSN-AUKUS design to be home built by Aus/UK. Considering that ASTUTE is a late 1990's design and the last of the class won't complete until 2026, the mid- 2030's gives enough time for Australia to have developed a proper industrial and military knowledge base to support construction of SSN(R)/SSN-AUKUS. At this time the only US involvement is probably to the present US-UK plant and fuel agreement.

 

Interesting timing given the recent announcement of the Saudi-Iran agreement brokered by China. Not sure that we are taking the high road on this one. Seems like remedial action. I hope this was more about subs than saving face.

 

I doubt the Saudi-Iran agreement had anything to do with it. That agreement probably has more to with the political implosions of Israel and India right now. No I think the timing is more tied to the increasing Chinese PLA/PLAN incursions in Taiwanese airspace and presence in the Timor Sea.

 

Seems like someone got my memo from back in September 2021... SSNs for Australia https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/ssns-for-australia.66080/page-2#post-917190

How the US plans to expand its submarine industrial base for AUKUS https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/03/15/how-the-us-plans-to-expand-its-submarine-industrial-base-for-aukus/

 

Pretty much as expected.
AUKUS nations name British-Australian vendor team to build submarines https://www.defensenews.com/global/2024/03/21/aukus-nations-name-british-australian-vendor-team-to-build-submarines/