Originally Posted by
golder
The French are still promoting their sub, though local political influencers. So there are a lot of option B stories, from X-PM Turnbull down to bloggers. This will continue. There is no Gov support from both parties for this option.
If by chance we don't get the Virginias as a stop gap. We will wait for SSN-AUKUS, early 2040. The Collins fleet is fully retired in 2048, at this stage. Not getting the Virginia may extend a few. The US want to forward deploy subs in Australia.
That will still happen, as it is in the US interests.
My personal opinion is it would be a cost saving to Australia. It would be in Australia's interest, to have only one class of sub.
As AUKUS has drifted into the shoals, and appears to maybe now be better known as "RAUKUS", (yes, where the USA is happier with dealing with Russia, is prepared to forward intel of allies to Russia in unauthorised releases), with Canada being out in the cold, it would seem that a revisit to the rather competent sous-marines (only a couple have sunk) that l'hexagone make today, after the Daphne's predilection for demise.