Damon Mcknight
Australia's submarine program has been the subject of much discussion and controversy in recent years, with the country seeking to transition from its older Collins-class submarines to nuclear-powered attack submarines. This has involved negotiations and deals with several countries, including the US, UK, France, and Japan, as part of the AUKUS security compact. The program has faced challenges, including political and diplomatic issues, technical problems, and delays, with Australia's ability to project naval and undersea power called into question. The US and UK have been working to increase their submarine presence in Australia, with the US sending Virginia-class submarines and the UK planning to host a submarine at a Western Australian naval base.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Status of Australian Submarines | Australia is in the process of transitioning from older Collins-class submarines to nuclear-powered attack submarines. |
| Submarine Design | The new submarines are based on a British design but incorporate technology from the US, UK, and Australia (AUKUS nations). |
| Expected Delivery | Operational deliveries are expected as early as the late 2030s, with follow-on submarines to be produced in Australia by the end of the decade. |
| Challenges and Delays | The SSN AUKUS program is likely to face significant delays due to design complexities and political factors, similar to past submarine programs in other countries. |
| International Collaboration | The US and UK are collaborating with Australia under the AUKUS treaty to provide nuclear-powered submarines. |
| US Submarine Visits to Australia | The USS Minnesota, a Virginia-class submarine, has visited Australian ports, with more routine visits by American submarines expected. |
| Political Impact | The collaboration with the US and UK has strained Australia's relationship with France, which had previously been contracted to deliver submarines. |
| Domestic Politics | The AUKUS program has come under scrutiny due to Trump's tariffs and concerns about outsourcing defence to other countries. |
| Defence Strategy | Australia's acquisition of nuclear submarines is a key part of its defence strategy, providing a deterrent against aggression and capabilities for intelligence, surveillance, and strike missions. |
| Production and Costs | Australia is investing in the US and UK submarine industrial bases and establishing its own submarine base in Adelaide. The program involves significant costs, including a $3 billion investment over four years and penalties paid to France. |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's nuclear-powered submarine acquisition
The AUKUS security compact, agreed upon in 2021 by Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, forms the basis of this initiative. The compact's first pillar involves the sale of Virginia-class submarines to Australia, with the United States intending to sell three such submarines, with an option for two more if needed. These submarines are expected to be delivered as early as the 2030s, although there are concerns about potential delays due to production challenges and nuclear workforce shortages.
The second pillar of the AUKUS security compact involves the development of a new class of submarines, the SSN-AUKUS, based on a British design and incorporating technology from all three AUKUS nations. This includes advanced US submarine technologies such as propulsion plant systems and a common vertical launch system. The SSN-AUKUS is expected to be a state-of-the-art platform, enhancing interoperability among the AUKUS partners and elevating their industrial capacity to produce and sustain advanced SSNs.
The acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines by Australia has been met with scrutiny due to domestic politics and international relations. Domestically, the program has faced public scrutiny due to disappointment over the lack of exemptions from Trump's tariffs for Australia. Internationally, the deal has strained ties with France, which had previously been contracted to deliver conventionally powered submarines to Australia. Additionally, there are concerns that providing nuclear-powered submarines to Australia may reduce deterrence to China.
Despite these challenges, Australia remains committed to its nuclear-powered submarine acquisition program, recognising its potential to enhance the country's defence capabilities and contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
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The Collins-class submarine issues
The Collins-class submarines were designed to replace the Oberon submarines. The Australian government decided to replace the existing Oberon submarines with six Collins Class Type 471 diesel-electric submarines. The submarines were designed by Swedish shipbuilders Kockums for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The submarines were constructed between 1990 and 2003 in South Australia by the Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC).
The Collins-class submarines have been the subject of many incidents and technical problems since the design phase. Some of the issues include accusations of foul play and bias during the design selection, improper handling of design changes during construction, major capability deficiencies in the first submarines, and ongoing technical problems throughout the early life of the class. These problems were compounded by the RAN's inability to retain sufficient personnel to operate the submarines. By 2008, only three submarines could be manned, and between 2009 and 2012, on average, two or fewer were fully operational.
One of the main technical issues with the Collins-class submarines was the propulsion system, which was prone to failure due to issues with the diesel fuel system and water regularly entering the engines. There were also problems with bacterial contamination of the diesel fuel, which caused corrosion and component seizures. Defence researchers conducted system and component redesigns to address these issues and make the engines more suited to Australian conditions.
Another issue was with the propellers, which were found to be poorly manufactured and made of weaker-than-expected material. The propeller design was sent to the United States Navy for redesigning, which improved performance, but this decision led to legal action from the Swedish company Kockums over intellectual property rights.
The Collins-class submarines also experienced problems with the combat system, excessive noise, and engine breakdowns. These issues were made more difficult to resolve due to disagreements between the various stakeholders, including Kockums, ASC, Rockwell, the RAN, and the Australian Government, over the nature of the problems and their causes.
Despite these issues, the Collins-class submarines have provided Australia with a fine underwater warfare capability. After 20 years of service issues, the submarines have achieved high availability to the RAN since 2016. System-wide reforms have led to a "dramatic turnaround" in submarine availability, with the Collins-class program performing as an "exemplar". The latest review by Dr Coles found that ASC and the Submarine Enterprise were achieving submarine sustainment and availability at or exceeding international benchmarks.
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AUKUS nuclear submarine sale
Australia's nuclear submarine deal with the United States and the United Kingdom, as part of the AUKUS security pact, has been a source of controversy and debate. The deal was struck in 2024 and aims to provide Australia with a fleet of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines, with operational deliveries as early as the late 2030s. This agreement led to the cancellation of a previous contract with France, causing tensions and criticism from various parties.
The AUKUS deal centres on the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines by Australia to enhance its naval capabilities. The deal includes the transfer of Virginia-class submarines from the US and equipment from the UK for Australia's future SSN-AUKUS submarines. The agreement also enables the sharing of sensitive military nuclear technology and information between the three countries. This cooperation is intended to strengthen Australia's defence capabilities and allow for a greater rotational presence of US and UK submarines in the region.
The cancellation of the French-Australian submarine contract worth €56 billion (A$90 billion) caused significant tension between Australia and France. The Australian government's decision to pursue the AUKUS deal instead of the French contract was seen as a betrayal by the French, who had invested substantially in the project. This led to Australia paying $800 million in penalties to the French defence contractor, Naval Group.
The AUKUS nuclear submarine deal has faced criticism and opposition from various quarters. Some scholars and politicians have raised concerns about nuclear proliferation, arguing that the deal could lead to the proliferation of sensitive military nuclear technology with limited international safeguards. There are also concerns about the potential impact on regional stability and tensions, with Australian Greens leader Adam Bandt stating that the deal "makes Australia less safe".
Despite the criticisms, supporters of the deal argue that it will create high-skilled jobs and enhance security in the region. The deal is also seen as a strategic move to counter the influence of Chinese forces in the Indo-Pacific region, although this intention has not been explicitly stated by the countries involved. The US and UK have emphasised the importance of the partnership and their commitment to upholding the highest standards for safety, security, and non-proliferation.
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The Attack-class submarine design
The Attack-class submarine was a planned class of French-designed submarines for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The project, which would have replaced the Collins-class submarines, began in 2007 as the Future Submarine program. The Attack-class submarine was expected to enter service in the early 2030s, with construction extending until 2050. The project was estimated to cost A$90 billion and would have been the largest and most complex defence acquisition project in Australian history.
The Attack-class submarine was to be a new class of twelve submarines, fitted with land-attack cruise missiles, torpedoes, and anti-ship missiles. The submarines were also to be capable of launching and recovering covert operatives while submerged and carrying surveillance and intelligence-gathering equipment. The Australian Government announced in 2015 that the future submarines would have a similar range and endurance to the Collins-class submarines, which are the world's largest diesel-electric submarines.
The design process for the Attack-class submarine involved studies to select the new submarines' design, with specific parameters for propulsion, combat system, and stealth capabilities. There was also a competitive evaluation process between Japanese, French, and German designs. Eventually, the French design, the Shortfin Barracuda, a conventionally-powered variant of the Barracuda-class nuclear submarine, was selected as the winner.
The construction of the Attack-class submarines was scheduled to begin in 2023, with the first submarine to be completed by 2025. However, there were significant delays in the project, and it is now expected that the first submarine will enter service after 2030. The lengthy construction period led to the consideration of building the submarines in evolving 'batches', incorporating updated equipment and designs as they were developed.
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Australia's submarine industrial base
The AUKUS agreement is expected to deliver a world-class capability to Australia, making it one of only seven countries that operate nuclear-powered submarines. This will be achieved through the SSN-AUKUS, a new class of submarine based on a British design but incorporating technology from all three AUKUS nations: the US, the UK, and Australia. The SSN-AUKUS is expected to enter service in the late 2030s, with the follow-on submarines to be produced in Australia by the end of this decade.
To facilitate this transition, Australia has launched the AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy, which aims to support and grow priority industry sectors in consultation with industry, unions, and academia. The strategy will provide greater clarity to Australian businesses, enabling them to invest in their technical capabilities, personnel, and facilities. It is expected to create around 20,000 direct jobs over the next 30 years and will involve a $3 billion investment over the next four years.
The AUKUS agreement also strengthens the combined industrial capacity of the three partner nations, with increased cooperation making trilateral supply chains more robust and resilient. This includes opportunities for Australian personnel to work with and learn from the US and UK Navies, as well as increased visits to Australian ports by their nuclear-powered submarines.
The development of Australia's submarine industrial base will be a complex and consequential undertaking, impacting the country's naval and undersea power projection capabilities for decades to come. It remains to be seen whether the AUKUS agreement will deliver on its promises, with some analysts expressing skepticism about the lack of published schedules or records of successful milestones.
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Frequently asked questions
The Collins-class submarine is a group of submarines constructed between 1990 and 2003 in South Australia by the Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC). They are enlarged versions of Swedish shipbuilder Kockums' Västergötland-class submarines.
The Collins-class submarines have faced various technical problems since their design phase, including accusations of foul play and bias during the design selection, improper handling of design changes during construction, major capability deficiencies, and ongoing technical problems. Additionally, the RAN has struggled to retain sufficient personnel to operate the submarines.
The AUKUS treaty is a security compact between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, which includes the sale of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. The plan involves a rotating force of four U.S.-commanded Virginia submarines and one British submarine hosted at Western Australia's HMAS Stirling starting in 2027, with mixed U.S. and Australian maintenance and crew.
There are concerns about the potential negative impact of the AUKUS treaty on relations with China. Additionally, there is skepticism about the timeline and feasibility of the SSN-AUKUS submarine program, with potential delays and issues similar to past submarine programs.
