The taxpayer must rush ahead and hand over billions to the same under-skilled thinkers that gave us the Collins-class fiasco. So far, Collins has cost us $10 billion and climbing.
The author of the above article is described as a Canberra writer. That writer fails to mention that the 2009 white paper was a terrible joke. Dead on arrival.
We should rush into getting big subs. Subs for long range strike deterrent are needed. And somehow this will all happen.
Take this quote.
"...giving us a platform that can host missiles that will strike back at potential enemies in their homeland."
This capability was thrown away when incompetent strategic thinkers in Defence gave up the F-111 on a lie. The F-111 could carry long range stand-off missiles a very long way, hit the desired target within hours, rinse and repeat. A whole lot more DMPI’s hit per day. Deterrence into the 2020’s. Maybe even longer.
We have to delay the decision to buy subs because we have to have some U.K experts see where all the skeletons are buried. Once we have that information—which may show that we have no realistic ability to make home-grown subs--then we can move forward.
The writer above, could have helped this situation out over the years by doing the hard work to expose the lies and groupthink. Well, maybe a leopard can change their spots. Just not today.
Eric Palmer is a Newcastle writer (sort of).
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4 comments:
NICHOLAS STUART is a Walkley award winning journalist with an MA in War Studies from Kings College.
....Then he has even less excuse for writing second rate rubbish with little apparent objective review of source material that would get a first year journalism cadet student a terse "please explain" from their lecturer, and a boot in the backside from their editor.
Yeah. That is the point. It seems a qualification and award means diddly squat.
Back on the actual subject of submarines, it is worth noting that the Spanish S-80A class displaces 2,246 tonnes submerged (compared to 1,830 for the German Type 212). In addition, the S-80A's manufacturer, Navantia, claims its sub has a US combat system and is designed to be "Tomahawk ready". It is described as an "ocean capable design" that can also carry 8 special forces troops. The question mark is that the S-80A is Navantia's first sub design and it is not yet proven. On the other hand, four S-80A's are under construction with the first due to be commissioned in 2013. Sources: Jane's Navy International December 2007 and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_future_Spanish_Navy_ships
At face value, the S-80A would appear to be a possible MOTS choice to replace the Collins. Does anyone have more info on this class? Incidentally, Navantia's F100 frigate is the basis for the RAN's AWD and they are also building the RAN's Canberra class amphibious ships.
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