First, it is well known that there is a shortage of competent project managers and leaders let alone skilled workmen to build surface warships. Submarines are even more complex. The true project management skill just does not exist.
Next is this quote from today’s Australian Financial Review in a small mention called “Subs idea torpedoed”.
“The federal government’s plan to spend $36 billion on locally made submarines has come under fire from Productivity Commission chairman Gary Banks.
The government has flagged it wants to build the submarines in Adelaide, and South Australian Premier Mike Rann announced a deal with Canberra yesterday to reserve land for the project.
But Mr Banks said the program would not necessarily deliver lasting benefits and scrapping it would help repair the federal budget, which went deep into deficit during the financial crisis.
Submarines could be bought overseas for a 'fraction of the cost and the risk', Mr Banks told a conference in Melbourne on Thursday.”
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7 comments:
"First, it is well known that there is a shortage of competent project managers and leaders let alone skilled workmen to build surface warships. Submarines are even more complex. The true project management skill just does not exist."
Ah, well know by whom, and how is that the the oil and gas projects on the NW Shelf manage it,and are more complex? Mostly Australian engneers,And I do know what I am talking about.
It is all about what you are prepared to pay, and providing a long term future in employment and capacity, not stop start.
I think it would be better for Aus. to buy just 8 subs that are fully functional and equipped with spares and crews than go for 12 boats which in all likelihood will be tied to a pier the majority of time.
Blind Freddie can see that what nico says makes total sense.
...which means that exactly the opposite will almost certainly occur.
Very interesting, however what do you suggest we purchase that is fully funtional?
Well, first the impossible wish - if it's a submarine and we wish it to be even half way effective (and survivable for the crew), it should be nuke powered.
But if course it won't be. Certainly not while the current sorry mob in power in Canberra are running (to use that word very loosely) the country.
Let's face the facts of the disaster that has been military procurement in the Western world for the last 20 years. How many programs(few!)have been even close to on time and on budget?
I mean you don't have to be psychic to know that 12 boats (built in country and for only $30 billion!) is just too much to ask in terms of development, procurement,sustainment and training.
Australia would be way better off buying 8 subs from France,Spain or Germany with some minor changes and accepting some penalties in performance but at least they will really be ready for war not tied to pier for most of their careers waiting for parts, fixes or crews which is guaranteed to happen if Aus. buys 12 subs.
Crewing is easy, we thought of that at the time, we intended to bring in foreign workers to bring the wages in the mining industry down so Navy can compete and keep personnel.
Plus Australia does not have the capacity to sustain the mining industry, civil projects and build the vessels. So foreign workers would be used to divert Australians to the ship building industry from the mining industry.
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