AUKUS
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 159
Likes: 30
From: Under a tree in the NT
The RAN have already shown their sense of humour, as that is the name of the underwater communication base in Exmouth!
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,983
Likes: 379
From: Hampshire
Rishi Sunak has announced GBP 4.9 bn additional defence spending over two years.
'Downing Street said £3bn from the extra spending would be earmarked to support the pact (AUKUS) , along with boosting industrial infrastructure and servicing UK submarines.'
'The remaining £1.9bn will be used to replace weapons sent to Ukraine and improve the UK's munitions infrastructure.'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-64932951 I trust this redirects for outside UK readers
'Downing Street said £3bn from the extra spending would be earmarked to support the pact (AUKUS) , along with boosting industrial infrastructure and servicing UK submarines.'
'The remaining £1.9bn will be used to replace weapons sent to Ukraine and improve the UK's munitions infrastructure.'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-64932951 I trust this redirects for outside UK readers
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 272
Likes: 27
From: The Empire
It's an important tradition that enhances capability. The more things change, the more they stay the same. I do not miss those cold showers inside of a freezing block.
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,109
Likes: 290
From: Nevada, USA
Joint AUKUS Statement Joint Leaders Statement on AUKUS | The White House
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,083
Likes: 253
From: London/Oxford/New York
Er, exactly what is in this for the UK? The US sells the Australians three Virginia Class SSN's in the 2030's. The UK blows £3bn of the £5bn extra allotted to defence over the next 2 years on the ability to build an Astute replacement in the 2040's with the Australians based on a design that we were going to build anyway? So, all we get is a diluted design input to the Astute replacements and a workshare deal with the Australians and the US, thus reducing our existing build and design capability as it will now be a three way collaboration even though the new boat will only be operated by the UK and Australia and not the US.
Did the same clowns who negotiated Brexit and the NI Protocol do this one as well?
Did the same clowns who negotiated Brexit and the NI Protocol do this one as well?
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 508
Likes: 93
From: UK
A lot more than if Oz had opted purely for US boats. The UK will still build its own boats and a lot of UK supply chain including tech will go into the Oz-built boats. All the reactors and reactor housings for both UK and Oz will be built by RR in the UK and supplied as sealed units. Tremendous interoperability. There will be some additional US tech in the UK boats; and the UK boats, like the Oz boats, will utilise the US vertical launch system, which is definitely a plus. Many had predicted that it would be largely a US-Australia affair with the UK picking up scraps from the sidelines. That has not happened.
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,645
Likes: 7,343
From: Peripatetic
Australia to join Royal Navy SSN(R) submarine programme Analysis of the implications and what SSN(R) might look like.
https://www.navylookout.com/australi...ine-programme/
https://www.navylookout.com/australi...ine-programme/
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 639
Likes: 102
From: australia
"Australia will become a partner in the Royal Navy’s SSN(R) submarine project. This solution was always the most likely long-term answer, given the synergy between the respective timelines."
Ok, so it is a joint design, partnership. With the UK as the lead nation. Australia isn't simply buying the sub tech and building it.
Ok, so it is a joint design, partnership. With the UK as the lead nation. Australia isn't simply buying the sub tech and building it.
Joined: Jun 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 17
From: South Pole
The ABC news this morning mentioned that there would be a continuous SSN AUKUS submarine building process at Osborne starting in early 2040’s but a short time later they said that they will be built at a drumbeat of one every 2 years (a good economical rate). But that construction rate would have the the 8th submarine completed many years before the first one is due for replacement (assuming the PWR3 reactor fuel is sufficient for in excess of 33 years) - it will be interesting how they will achieve a continuous building process!
Overall, I like this final package as the short term is covered by the acquisition of the Virginia class and, in the long term, the RAN will be getting a submarine that is up to date with the newest technology - including vertical payload tubes.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-...nced/102087614
Update: During the press interview, Richard Marles said that the drumbeat would be one SSN every 3 years, not 2 years as stated by the ABC. This still leaves a gap in the continuous shipbuilding unless the number of vessels is increased to 11 - desirable, but not likely.
Overall, I like this final package as the short term is covered by the acquisition of the Virginia class and, in the long term, the RAN will be getting a submarine that is up to date with the newest technology - including vertical payload tubes.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-...nced/102087614
Update: During the press interview, Richard Marles said that the drumbeat would be one SSN every 3 years, not 2 years as stated by the ABC. This still leaves a gap in the continuous shipbuilding unless the number of vessels is increased to 11 - desirable, but not likely.
Last edited by Going Boeing; 14th March 2023 at 03:25.
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 205
From: aus
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/fede...14-p5crto.html
AU$50-58bn to purchase then maintain its 3 second hand Virginia class (australia uses whole life accounting)
AU$3bn they are investing in US shipyards
Australia will build 8 AUKUS class with the last 3 entering service between 2055-2065 allowing the three Virginia to be retired and maintaining a fleet of 8
Australia will become a Virginia component supplier.
AUKUS class will use US/Australian tactical information system and VPT's/VPMs for compatibility with US weapons
AU$50-58bn to purchase then maintain its 3 second hand Virginia class (australia uses whole life accounting)
AU$3bn they are investing in US shipyards
Australia will build 8 AUKUS class with the last 3 entering service between 2055-2065 allowing the three Virginia to be retired and maintaining a fleet of 8
Australia will become a Virginia component supplier.
AUKUS class will use US/Australian tactical information system and VPT's/VPMs for compatibility with US weapons
Joined: Apr 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,921
Likes: 611
From: surfing, watching for sharks
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/fede...14-p5crto.html
AU$50-58bn to purchase then maintain its 3 second hand Virginia class (australia uses whole life accounting)
AU$3bn they are investing in US shipyards
Australia will build 8 AUKUS class with the last 3 entering service between 2055-2065 allowing the three Virginia to be retired and maintaining a fleet of 8
Australia will become a Virginia component supplier.
AUKUS class will use US/Australian tactical information system and VPT's/VPMs for compatibility with US weapons
AU$50-58bn to purchase then maintain its 3 second hand Virginia class (australia uses whole life accounting)
AU$3bn they are investing in US shipyards
Australia will build 8 AUKUS class with the last 3 entering service between 2055-2065 allowing the three Virginia to be retired and maintaining a fleet of 8
Australia will become a Virginia component supplier.
AUKUS class will use US/Australian tactical information system and VPT's/VPMs for compatibility with US weapons
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 590
Likes: 135
From: Aus
Recent history would suggest this is unlikely.
Joined: Apr 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,921
Likes: 611
From: surfing, watching for sharks