[Yo-Yo]

Why in the world isn't Germany in the running for this contract? The Germans make some of the best non-nuclear subs in the world, especially their AIP Dolphin class they're building for the Israelis.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The Japanese subs get really good mileage...

[Dundee]

To be honest, Germany doesn’t produce subs as big with as long endurance as Australia needs. Germany’s pitch was a completely paper boat that still didn’t meet our needs.

Aussie subs need to have the range and endurance that in a sane world would necessitate a nuke sub. Hell, travelling from their home port near Perth to Darwin (the northern most gateway port on mainland Australia) is a trip of over 2000 miles and can be done without once exiting territorial waters.

Once out of territorial waters, the subs will operate for weeks at a time as far north as Vladivostok, west to the Persian Gulf, and east to the US and Canada (for training and shared technology trials).

In a sane world we would get RN Astute’s or USN Virginia’s but we would need to develop a complete nuclear industry to support it. Not cheap nor something that happens quickly.