GOING DEEP DOWN UNDER

摘要

THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE DEPARTMENT is in the midst of revolutionizing its submarine force with plans to replace its current fleet of six vessels with at least 12 new ones. This is the first submarine project for them in more than 20 years and mandates not only planning to build the new boats but also adjusting personnel to operate them. When complete, the project will enable the nation to protect its interests from both an economic and a security standpointCurrently dubbed SEA 1000, or simply the future submarine, the program is scheduled to stretch over a long period of time, though no firm dates are set yet. Rear Adm. Rowan Moffitt, RAN, head of the Royal Australian Navy's Future Submarines Program, says that moving forward there are several key questions that must be answered— How quickly does the government want the 12 submarines?; What submarine should be built?; and How much life is left in the country's current Coffins-class submarine force?—because the navy wants to keep them in service as long as possible