Posted on 12/06/2013 11:25:44 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
AUSTRALIA has asked Japan to consider providing highly advanced propulsion technology to be used in the navy's planned 12 new submarines.
Defence Minister David Johnston has told The Weekend Australian Japanese officials had visited submarine maintenance facilities in Adelaide and talks were continuing.
In a speech to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Senator Johnston spoke about the Abbott government's wish to cement closer defence ties with Japan, including much closer defence-industry ties.
Senator Johnston said later he was particularly interested in the use of Japan's extremely effective submarine technology in Australia's future submarine, which is most likely to be an evolution of Australia's existing Collins-class vessels.
Japan's Soryu-class is the world's biggest and possibly the best diesel-electric submarine and Senator Johnston is particularly keen on its "drive train" - the whole propulsion system, from the propeller through to the electric motor and the diesel engine that charges the boat's batteries.
He said he hoped Japan would consider sharing its "back-end" technology.
The new Australian submarine's "front end" includes the same combat system and torpedoes as the US Virginia-class, nuclear-powered attack submarines and near-silent propellers developed in the US.
Senator Johnston said "a serious exchange" about submarines had already begun with the Japanese navy and Japan's Defence Department.
"They visited ASC (the Australian Submarine Corporation in Adelaide)," he said, noting that the Japanese motors "are obviously something very special".
Japan's constitutional ban on the export of military equipment is gradually being relaxed. Talks about a defence-technology transfer pact between the two countries began under the Labor government two years ago.
It would be a landmark deal for Australia to secure access to the Japanese submarine technology, as Tokyo doesn't share defence technology with any nation other than the US.
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.com.au ...
And we learn this on December 7, of all days! Seventy years ago, if someone suggested that one day Australia would be asking Japan for submarine technology, that Japan would be America’s friend and China would be America’s enemy, he would be hauled off to the closest lunatic asylum! ;)
Shifting alliances. Given enough time friends will become enemies, enemies friends and then back again.
In the absence of American leadership, long-time American friends will seek help elsewhere.
Nature abhors a Vacuum.
Better answer than mine.
That's because memories are short. The 100 Years' War killed off between 1/3 to 1/2 of France's population from start to end, with widespread chevauchees (looting and burning of the countryside, along with the occasional massacre) implemented to persuade French troops - usually unsuccessfully - to emerge from behind their fortifications. And of course, France's iconic heroine, Jeanne d'Arc, was burned at the stake by la perfide Angleterre. In comparison, what passes for history between Japan and Australia is a non-event.
There are 3 western made AIP-systems one is the French MESMA by DCNS, the other two are a Stirling-engine made by Kockums and fuel cells used by HDW. The French system is not already in active use while the German fuel cells are used on operational Type 212/214/Dolphin-class submarines. The Swedish solution with a Stirling-engine is in use on Gotland-class, Södermanland/Archer-class and on Japanese Soryu—class submarines.
Therefore Australia also need to ask Kockums about the complete drive train.
Btw. Kockums is owned by TKMS.
MESMA is in service with the Pakistani navy and may be adopted by India (ironically). Spain and Italy also have AIP products in development. The Spanish one will go for their S-80 subs.
Correct! The Pakistani Navy operate 3 Agosta 90B with MESMA and India ordered several Scorpène-class submarines with MESMA.
Spain ordered parts for the AIP system from Germany (methanol reformator) and the US (fuel cells). Italy operates 2 Type 212 submarines with AIP and has two more on order for 2016.
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