![]() Roggeveen noted Australia’s longest-serving foreign minister, Alexander Downer - who supports the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines - recently said he has doubts about Australia’s ability to build the SSN-AUKUS. “There’s widespread skepticism among defense commentators and observers about Australia’s capacity particularly to build submarines on shore and to support the capability,” he said. Sam Roggeveen, director of the international security program at Australia’s Lowy Institute, said in an interview he’s in the minority of skeptics of the strategic value of the AUKUS program, but he’s in the majority of those who question Australia’s ability to deliver. “When they get to the point of being able to buy and own nuclear submarines, are they really ready to do that complete operation, or are they going to depend on the U.S. “And when it comes to nuclear maintenance, I think it’s going to be a tough road because just the number of people you need, the training they need is going to be hard to quickly ramp up here in Australia,” Clark said. The question will be: to what degree can Australia do that truly independently of the United States, or is their equivalent of the Naval Reactors Program essentially an extension of the U.S. “I think that’s a good starting point,” he added. National Nuclear Security Administration’s Naval Reactors Program, Clark said. The first step for Australia is getting the regulatory framework in place, Bryan Clark, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, said during an interview at the Indo Pacific 2023 International Maritime Exposition in Sydney.Īustralia has been laying the groundwork in terms of the policy, infrastructure, people and organizational infrastructure to manage a nuclear power program similar to the U.S. The third phase is the sale of Virginia-class subs to Australia in the early 2030s, followed by the construction of the U.K.-designed SSN-AUKUS, which the United Kingdom will build in the 2030s and Australia will construct in the early 2040s. nuclear-powered submarines, then rotational presence in Australia of the U.K. Thus, it is clear that Virginia-class subs will continue to help the United States accomplish its strategic objectives in the 21 st Century.SYDNEY - Despite strong political support, a commitment to fund the initiative and an eager industrial base, serious questions remain about whether Australia - and to an extent the United States - can meet the promises of the trilateral agreement to deliver nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.įinalized in March, the submarine pillar of the Australia-United Kingdom-United States agreement known as AUKUS lays out a four-stage process beginning with embedded training for Australian service members and port visits by U.S. The more advanced Block V boats will likely be able to launch hypersonic missiles. China is pumping out more ships, militarizing disputed islands, and patrolling close to American surface ships. The sub will be a critical piece of maritime defense tactics in the Indo-Pacific region. The Montana is headed for Norfolk where it will conduct more tests and adjustments and then on to Hawaii for home port. And then doing the refinement work, really is a step above, it has capabilities that other submarines and other nations don’t have,” Whitsitt said. “It’s been under construction over the last several years in remarkable ways, from putting big pieces, manufactured in Connecticut and in Virginia. A state committee headed by Bill Whitsitt sees much potential in the sub. This is the second naval vessel named after the state of Montana and residents are excited. The overall life of the submarine will be increased. The $3.45 billion Block IV boats are designed to have shorter maintenance periods for longer periods at sea. The Virginia-class Block IVs are replacing many of the older Los Angeles-class attack submarines as that sub is retired. ![]() The Block IV Has Multiple Mission Parametersįast attack submarines can destroy enemy surface fleet vessels, sink other subs, collect intelligence, launch land-attack cruise missiles, insert teams of SEALs, engage in mine warfare, and escort aircraft carriers as part of a battle group. The Montana came after the second Block IV sub, USS Oregon, which was delivered last month at General Dynamics Electric Boat. The Montana is the third of ten Block IV submarines, and it was originally christened in 2020. Ten thousand workers toiled on the submarine for Montana’s production that began in 2015. ![]() Huntington Ingalls Industries produced the 21st Virginia-class sub and this is the third Block IV boat. The Montana is almost ready for patrols after passing sea trials earlier this year. Navy Block IV Virginia-class Attack Submarines Ready to Harass Enemy Shipping – The USS Montana, a fast attack Virginia-class Block IV submarine, has been introduced to the navy.
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