Originally Posted by
tartare
There seems to be an assumption ahead of the formal announcement by many commentators that the Oz Virginia class boats, if not second hand, will be entirely built in the US.
Knowing absolutely nothing about how submarine hulls are fabricated and assembled I wonder if there may be a way of sharing work between Electric Boat's yards in the US, and those in Adelaide.
The boats seem to be constructed in 10 modules.
Would it relieve the pressure on Electric Boat's yards to build the modules in the US and then actually put the sub together down in Australia?
From memory, Australia has quite a bit of expertise in submarine steels of very high quality.
No doubt a mountain of arms control export and practical, logistical barriers to doing so.
Interested in comments from those of you with more knowledge.
We will know in 3 sleeps, but the chat is that its going to 2 + 3 virginia. 2 block 3 virginia's will be leased to australia on a 10 year lease with the option buy. For the 3, australia will be given some options either 3 block 4 (with VLS) second hand or 3 new build block 5's with or without the VPM at australia's choice