I wouldn't bring up the Collins programme with any Australian......................
The Australians no longer build their own airframes (same with the Canberra's - built in Spain) - so can shop around for the best deal - the UK still tries to support a national capacity with aircraft and ships (and even tanks) - this is VERY expensive. The latest World Naval Review reckons the RN & Norwegian Navy's latest tankers, built in S Korea, cost approx. 33%- 50% of the cost of equivalent French built vessels and an astounding 90% less than the latest Canadian home built support vessels. It will be very interesting g to see the costs of the costs of the submarines they are buying from France but building in Adelaide - same with the new Type 31's they are planning to build locally.
The SSBN force costs around USD $2.5- 3 Bn a year but replacement will cost s a fortune