Reader Comment --- 24x at 1000 tons each

MHalblaub

Sustained speed with just 272 kW for all systems is about 6 kn (2.500 nm / 18 days).

This type of submarine is not there to hunt SSBNs.

Type 212A engines:
1,700 kW electric motor
1,050 kW diesel generator (just one!)
272 kW fuel cells (8 cells with 34 kW + 1 backup)

Full power (AK) is used on very rare occasions.

The 120 kW modules are used on Type 214 just like the 2.8 MW electric engine.

Italy and Germany have smaller submarines than Greece and soon Turkey but Australia needs the biggest...

My recommendation for Australia is still Type 210mod with just 1,000 t displacement.

Australia could buy about 24 submarines for around $10 billion. Crew size is just 15 men. So with the crews necessary to man 6 Collins-class submarines Australia could man all 24 Type 210mod.

Build in Australia with an average output of 1 submarine per year. So after 24 years the first submarines will be replaced. This is the only workable and affordable solution to keep Australia in the submarine building business.

4,000 t are for old Admirals with a small ego.