Navy's New Lethal Subs

New conventional submarine more lethal than Collins class (photo : NavyGovAu)

Australia will build the most deadly conventional submarine fleets in the world, which is able to carry long -distance cruising missiles and futuristic subgets, to fight the expected weapons competition in the region.

The new Minister of Defense Joel Fitzgibbon has ordered the plan to start the next generation of submarines to replace the Royal Australian Collins class fleet with the aim of obtaining the approval of "First Graduation" for the design phase of the Cabinet National Security Committee in 2011.

The 17 -year project will be the largest, longest and most expensive defense acquisition since the federation, which has the potential to cost up to $ 25 billion.

Appearing when regional navy such as Indonesia, China and India tried to drastically expand their submarine fleets, potentially changing the balance of the navy strength in the region.

"There is a broad agreement that submarines provide vital military capabilities for Australia," Fitzgibbon told Australia.

"The development of new submarines requires long -term planning and the need to progress quickly, and that's what I ask.

"Defense planners have examined two main studies this year - one by the independent think tank of the Kokoda Foundation - which has concluded that strategic shifts in the region will make submarines more vital in Australian defense than before.

Defense will study various futuristic choices for new submarines, which will be built in Adelaide and will replace six Collins class submarines when they retire in 2025.

The new submarine will almost certainly be built by the Collins class fleet builder, Australian Submarine Corporation, as the ASC owned by the government is privatized.

"Southern Australia is the only credible location for the construction of the next generation of Australian submarines," Fitzgibbon said.

The aim is to create the deadliest conventional submarine fleet in the world to enable Australia to maintain its strategic advantage compared to rival navy that grows fast in the region.

Although the defense has not r have rule out Australia to obtain a nuclear -powered submarine, this option is considered very impossible for strategic, practical and political reasons.

Conversely, defense planners will focus on producing a bigger, quieter, faster and more deadly version than the six existing class of Collins submarines, which, after the problematic birth in the 1990s, has proven to be one of the most important defense assets in that country.

It is unknown how many new submarines will be built. The defense has confirmed that one of the options that must be considered for the new submarine fleet will become a small sub-manpower that can be launched from the "mother" submarine.

"The development of technology such as an unmanned vehicle might offer complementary capabilities to the underwater war platform in the future," said a defense spokesman.

This unmanned mini-submarines, full of high-tech sensors, can travel remotely kilometers from aircraft carriers to supervise, detect enemy submarines or bring the SAS team.

Another priority for new submarines is the new generation of air independent propulsion system, which allows conventional submarines to remain under water for a longer period, greatly increase operational effectiveness. The defense says that post-colin submarines will have a more flexible design, allowing them to be reconfigured quickly to various types of missions, from intelligence collection to strategic attacks.

New submarines will be able to carry a variety of larger long distance weapons, maybe including long distance cruising missiles and short -range tactical missiles. They will also be configured to facilitate the transportation of the SAS team secrets to the regional hotspot.

In a study earlier this year, the Kokoda foundation estimated that building, Arming and Supporting a new, Fully Modernized Submarine Fleet Could Cost Between $ 20 Billion and $ 25 Billion, Making It The Largest Defense Project in Australia, Dwarfing Evend Even the project.

The government hopes to complete the initial research on options for new submarines in 2011, when the cabinet will give "First Graduation" considerations in the plan.

In 2014-15, the government will give a "second pass" consideration for the project, resulting in a contract and finally the construction of submarines, with sea trials scheduled for 2024.

Submarine replacement projects will be included in the next defense capability plan.