But with US Marines now based in Darwin (!) I'm not surprised of the bias displayed by a vocal minority on this thread.
Yaaawwwn
and the submarines Scorpene, which might come down South before the end of the year
Unlikely, but possible, not sure where the bookies have the odds but I'm guessing the Japs almost have it in the bag.
There are many reasons for defense procurement, one of them politics, sad but true. Our whole defense revolves around partnership with the Yanks, a fact of life. As such there will always be a modulation in what we get that, in relation to what lubes the relationship.
Continuity of supply is a potential problem that is taken very seriously.