Posted on 11/08/2011 4:10:22 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Why Australia Needs Nuclear Subs
Australia’s government is considering developing the country’s own submarine fleet. It would be better off buying American.
The Australian Government is courting disaster with its approach to this country’s largest-ever defense program, the purchase of new submarines. The government seems determined to spend over $30 billion designing and building in Australia 12 new submarines that will almost certainly have serious flaws, will be delivered late, will be unnecessarily expensive and will be inadequate for our defense needs.
How could the government get itself into such a bad position? Some key decision-makers have failed to appreciate that Australia now faces a much more demanding security future. As the Pentagon’s recently released annual report on China’s military development makes clear, Beijing’s surveillance, missile, air and naval developments are transforming the strategic balance in the Western Pacific. Indeed, by 2025 China’s military power will be predominant in parts of our region.
There’s also a need to take account of China’s much more aggressive recent military operations, especially in disputed areas of the South and East China Seas. Australian security planners should do everything in their power to negotiate peaceful resolutions of these issues. They would, however, be naive to neglect strong investment in defense capabilities that can deter coercion against us in the 2025-2050 timeframe.
Advanced submarines offer special strategic leverage in the more demanding security environment that’s in store. The best submarines are highly survivable in intense military operations and have the potential to force the leadership of even a major power to pause and think carefully before attacking Australia or our key interests. They are one of only two or three military capabilities that carry this game-changing leverage. So, while Australia will always need some
(Excerpt) Read more at the-diplomat.com ...
Australia is preparing for the Fall of America and the domination of the Pacific Ocean by China.
In the latter part of the 21st century, the world is likely to be divided between China and an alliance between Australia and India—if the world is lucky.
—and if the American people do not come to their senses—and FAST!
—which is the luckiest thing that could possibly happen to the world: A rejection of decadence by the American people and the return of the United States to ascendancy.
Good satellites capable of detecting submarines and a good nuclear missile system trumps submarine use any day.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.