However I put this article more interested with some statement that the ‘political’ mainstream in Australia has changes some of their objections for Nuclear Subs, and begin ‘seriously’ considering them for RAN. Politicians ‘usually’ does not change their mood on something that consider sensitive, if they don’t sense changing mood also from their constituents. Will Australian public more acceptable with the idea of nuclear subs in RAN?
The last Liberal government went to the 2007 election with nuclear power on the agenda and lost. Since then we’ve had Fukushima. I doubt the climate for nuclear power is any more favourable now than it has historically been when the answer has remained ‘no’.
Abbott’s claim that a Liberal government would investigate nuclear powered submarines made me laugh on a number of different levels:
(1) Echoes of Labor promises to press the US for access to the F-22, later revealed — courtesy of Wikileaks — to be lies. The Libs here are just looking to harness the nuclear crowd in the same way as Labor did the anti-JSF crowd, and with about as much commitment.
(2) Reflexive bum-licking of Americans, as with — following the Labor announcement re: US base in Darwin — the coalition saying that if it were in power it would approve two bases instead. It’s like a race to see who can gag deepest on American ****.
If India can operate Nuke’s and I believe Aussies can do that also. Heck even Brazil seriously considering going Nuke’s at least on some their future subs. Australia maybe have smaller economy than India, but have more affluent and more ‘better’ trained population bases. Thus I believe getting 6 nukes (you don’t have to go for 12 SSK as originally plan if you can get SSN), will be still in my opinion doable for RAN.
It’s not a question of ‘can’, it’s a question of ‘need’ vs. all the other demands on the defence and public purses. As you say, Australia is an advanced — and not particularly militaristic — nation. You can’t just nick off with 10% of the national budget to pursue some pet project like you can in some other countries. 😉
However going with US option (even though Virginia perhaps give more challenge to operate for RAN compared to Barracuda), can provide much needed nuclear supporting infrastructure (including waste fuel disposal), that this sensitive issues can be handle. I do not know if going with French will provide same kind of support that USN can provide.
It also creates total dependence on the United States. You may as well rechristen the RAN the US 11th Fleet.
Aren’t there a ton of Australians still bitter over Darwin?
Unfortunately the mainstream political establishment is intent on maximising the chances of a repeat of Darwin by hosting American forces there. When the Chinese MRBMs land and drag Australia into a ruinous conflict it could’ve avoided, I’ll be the one saying “I told you so.”
wow. how little you know. research before you spout an opinion
Please, do enlighten me as to exactly what we have to offer the Japanese in this or, umm, any other field. :rolleyes:
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