Patrick Durrant | Sydney

The Submarine Institute of Australia (SIA) has come out swinging in defence of the Government’s decision to procure conventional submarines for the Sea 1000 Future Submarine program.

David Nicholls, executive director SIA, said decisions had been made following rigorously undertaken analysis and globally-credible, high level advice.

“Claims about risks to the safety of Australian defence personnel on new submarines are an emotional exaggeration, to say the least,” he said.

“It is naïve to believe that acquiring nuclear-powered submarines is merely a matter of releasing a ‘request-for-tender’”.

In response to the numerous armchair strategists who, at least in ADM’s experience, are steadfast in their belief that nuclear-powered US Virginia-class submarines are the logical choice to replace the Collins-class boats, Nicholls said, “it is naïve to believe that acquiring nuclear-powered submarines is merely a matter of releasing a ‘request-for-tender’ and waiting for the responses to come in”.

Nicholls asserted that nuclear propulsion technology for submarines is the most carefully protected warship system information in the world and said Australia would first need to conduct preparations that would take in the order of 15-20 years.

This would allow the appropriate levels of training, regulatory control, logistical support and engineering expertise/capability (which do not currently exist in Australia) to be put in place before any serious consideration of nuclear-powered submarine technology transfer takes place.

Nicholls welcomed any Government decision taken to investigate nuclear propulsion, but said it would be appropriate for these preparations to begin as soon as possible once the decision to adopt nuclear energy is taken.

“The SIA looks forward to constructively contributing to this process,” he said.