RAN's Collins class replacement

[Monash]

Guess this is still going... UK MoD awards UK contracts for next phase of SSN-AUKUS programme

Now it's "UK's and Australia's next-generation" SSN? What timeline are they working on? Late 2030s?

From the news reports I've seen the 'plan' seems to be to initially purchase a couple of Virginia class hulls in order to gain hours in crewing SSNs and then transition to purpose built UK/Aus subs. This 'sort' of make sense given some Congressmen in the US are already complaining about how the (previously unplanned) provision of Virginia class hulls to Australia will impede US acquisitions. Meanwhile our Collins Class subs are nearing the end of their 'use by' dates. I would expect 1-3 Virginia's to be available within the next 10 years (but that's just my (lay person's) opinion based on what I've read in news reports. After that I would expect joint UK/Aus subs to become available.

The thing is US production rates are stretched thin as they are and Australia needs 10-12 hulls. Meanwhile from memory the last Astute Class SSN is about to run down the slipway, assuming it hasn't already. That being true the UK has construction capacity just begging for new orders. But even with the best of will in the world? Your probably looking at the late 2030' or early 40's before the last sub becomes operational.

[Officer of Engineers]

Look to Canada leasing a few of your SSNs.

[Monash]

Look to Canada leasing a few of your SSNs.

They'd have to sign on to Aukus first of course albeit that would just be a formality given the 5 Eyes and everything. What looks like being a real problem though is getting enough boats into the water to actually share around. The US is stretched just finding the first few subs or Australia and the British boats aren't in production and wont be for what? A decade or more? And even then I doubt the UK will be able to match US production rates. It might end up being a case of first come first served.

[Officer of Engineers]

Oh Please!

We bought used Australian F-18s. Do you really think that we need to sign on for the rest of this bullshit! ABCA is good enough!