Australia’s Submarine Decision: A Matter Of Grand Strategy – Analysis ( Source- Eurasia Review / Author- Sam Bateman)
Japanese Soryu class submarine under construction ( Image credits- Wikimedia Commons / Hunini) Source- Eurasia Review Author- Sam Bateman Australia’s future submarine programme is the largest and most complex defence procurement in the nation’s history. The decision as to which submarine to choose has become one of grand strategy with far-reaching economic, political, and strategic consequences. While technical issues to establish the “best” submarine remain important, strategic, political and economic factors are also key determinants of the decision. It could have significant impact on Australia’s regional relations and the ability of Australia to act independently within the region. The three contenders in the current evaluation process are: France’s state-controlled naval contractor DCNS offering a conventional-powered version of the nuclear-powered Barracuda-class submarine; ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) of Germany with a Type 216 Class submarine, an up-size