Originally Posted by
HAS59
Why Australia didn’t buy excellent large ocean-going submarines from Japan was likely based on nationalistic rather than military reasons
The military reason was they are relatively short-ranged submarines needing controversial forward basing ( Guam etc ). The national reason was pork barrel spending. The Japanese subs couldn't be built in Adelaide whereas the French sales team claimed their submarine design could. PM Abe was bitterly disappointed, betrayed and let down by Australia not choosing their submarines ( but no tantrums ).
Winding back time, a Japanese sub purchase with additional AWD destroyers built in Adelaide, would have seen the commencement of a successful and timely naval build-up. If the CCP regional threat is as genuine as being presented, the Australian Navy is a basket case, leaving the only medium term option being an expansion of the RAAF. I guess one additional Growler is a start.