Review of Australian submarine build strategy needed, says analyst

The building of next-generation submarines by Australian defence industries - to supplement the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) existing six Collins-class boats - could prove to be inefficient as well as overly expensive, an Australian defence analyst has warned.

Andrew Davies, programme director for operations and capability at the Canberra-based Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), said in a report published on 30 January that the need for additional submarines will be acute in several years, but called for the country's existing build strategy to be reviewed.

The report - entitled 'Keeping our heads below water: Australia's future submarine' - stated that there is "little doubt" that Australia will acquire submarines beyond the Collins vessels. "A larger fleet of 10 to 12 boats would be preferable," he added.

"By 2020 there will be dozens of new submarines operating in waters of strategic interest to Australia," said Davies. "Some will be off-the-shelf purchases of European submarines with limited range and endurance, but potent capability... In addition, there will be nuclear submarines operated by the navies of China, India, Russia and the United States.

"By 2025, Australia's six Collins-class submarines will be thoroughly outnumbered and despite a series of progressive upgrades... will also be far short of state of the art." 207 of 766 words