SHAPING AUSTRALIA'S NUCLEAR [SUBMARINE] FUTURE

摘要

This paper, based upon my ASPI Paper [1], advocates early consideration of all aspects of a transition to nuclear propulsion for Australia's submarines, based on compelling strategic and submarine capability arguments. While a nuclear-powered submarine force would provide strategic advantages, some quite formidable challenges would need to be to overcome to add such a force to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Quite apart from the political sensitivity of such a decision, Australia acquiring nuclear-powered fast attack submarines (SSNs) would be a protracted process requiring a lead time of 15-20 years, largely because of the technical, training and educational preparations and a very significant increase in submarine-qualified personnel required to operate and maintain the force.