Can Australia even come to the point of being able to operate and maintain nuclear-powered submarines? There is some doubt about this within Australia, whose navy currently has six aging Collins-class diesel electric boats. Five years ago Australia signed a contract with the French builder DCNS for 12 advanced, conventionally powered boats to replace them, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison cancelled the deal after costs went through the roof—from $40 billion to $70 billion—and delays put the delivery of the first boat off until sometime in the 2030’s.
Peter Hartcher, political and international editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, notes that China has 66 submarines now and will have, according to the US Office of Naval Intelligence, ten more by 2030. By that year, Australia would still have the same six Collins boats, if they’re even still operable.
