Below is the official Prime Minister (Morrison) and Minister for
Defence (Dutton) Media Release of March 7, 2022 at https://www.pm.gov.au/media/australia-build-additional-submarine-base
“Australia to Build Additional Submarine Base”
A new submarine
base will be built on the east coast of Australia to support the nation’s new
nuclear-powered submarines, providing deployment opportunities in both the
Indian and Pacific oceans.
The new Future
Navy Base will add capacity and capability to Fleet Base West in Western
Australia, home of the Navy’s Collins-class submarines, which will also receive
significant funding to support Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines and
enable regular visits from the United States and United Kingdom’s
nuclear-powered submarines.
The Department
of Defence estimates that more than $10 billion will be needed for facility and
infrastructure requirements to transition from Collins to the future
nuclear-powered submarines, including the new east coast submarine base.
Prime Minister
Scott Morrison said the decision to establish an east coast submarine base has
been underway for many years and would enhance Australia’s strategic deterrent
capability in the Pacific Ocean.
“Australia faces
a difficult and dangerous security environment and we must continue to invest
in growing the capability of our ADF to ensure we keep Australians safe,” the
Prime Minister said.
“Under our AUKUS
partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom we will have access
to the best technology in the world to support our efforts to deter threats
against our national interest in the Indo-Pacific.
“This new
20-year investment is vital for our strategic capabilities, but it will also
provide long-term economic opportunities at both our submarine bases on the east
coast and on the west coast.
“Our investments
will also flow into our operations in Western Australia, with significant
funding flowing to upgrade facilities there for our future submarines and to
support our allies in the United States and United Kingdom.
“Fleet Base West
will remain home to our current and future submarines, given its strategic
importance on the Indian Ocean.”
Following
significant work by the Department of Defence, which reviewed 19 potential
sites, three preferred locations on the east coast have been identified, being
Brisbane, Newcastle, and Port Kembla.
The locations
were selected on submarine basing criteria, which included access to exercise
operating areas, proximity to industrial infrastructure, and significant
population centres to support personnel and recruitment.
Minister for
Defence Peter Dutton said the Australian Defence Force had not constructed a
major new base since Robertson Barracks in the 1990s, and an extensive process
would now begin.
“We took the
important decision in 2021 to pursue nuclear-powered submarines with the
support of our American and British partners, in response to the changing
strategic environment,” Minister Dutton said.
“Nuclear-powered
submarines have superior characteristics of stealth, speed, manoeuvrability,
survivability and endurance when compared to conventional submarines.
“With the
ability to operate from both coasts, this will make our nuclear-powered
submarines more responsive and resilient to meet the strategic environment.
“Today’s announcement
will ensure Australia has the infrastructure and facilities ready to support
those submarines when they enter service.
“A new Navy base
on the east coast will also have significant advantages for training, personnel
and for Australia’s defence industry.”
Navy’s current
fleet of Collins-class submarines and other maritime capabilities will be able
to be operated out of the new east coast base, which will provide critical
support to the ADF’s undersea capability.
Defence will engage with state and local governments to determine the optimal site, which will be informed by the ongoing work of the Nuclear Powered Submarine Taskforce. This initial work is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
6 comments:
Well Pete! We discussed this a while back and you suggested somewhere on NSW coast, like Eden, could work, but the balance of probability was that Feds would stick with Perth. I agreed with your assessment completely. Just goes to show how interested and informed people can still get it all so completely wrong! Always watch what the other hand is doing and so on...
We tend to think that governments will, on balance, tend toward the known or path with least resistance, like mean reversion. On the other hand, there always has to be a good dose of exceptions to prove the point!
We live in tragically interesting times.
Why Clive
You doubt my prescient accuracy in all things? :)
Over 2 weeks ago, at "Australian Nuclear Subs: East Coast Basing Study" of February 15, 2022 at https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2022/02/australian-nuclear-sub-aspects-aus-dod.html I had already ditched any expectations Eden would be the base. Instead I wrote "Alternative locations are discussed, with the message a base requires a large city to support its many needs."
"large city" Clive.
You'll also note I bolded "[Paragraph] "282 Brisbane is the most northern capital city on the Australian East Coast, and the only one approved to place visiting [Nuclear Propelled Warships] NPW at wharves."
"Brisbane" Clive
I rest my case :)
What could go wrong if we vote Holy ScoMo, who Markets God for the Rich, in again? Instead of that totally undiscovered genius Albo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Albanese !!
Pete
Point taken. At least we are both prepared to change our our views when the underlying narrative shifts and/or new information comes to light, unlike some spectacularly dogmatic national leaders...
Being frank, and like many recent elections in other western democracies, the principal choices being presented for new Aus leadership are all deeply uninspiring. All very “least bad” stuff.
Brisbane is the best base, because young wife or girlfriend of the crew prefers a big city to countryside. Newcastle and Port Kembla are boring for young people.
Hi Clive [at Mar 8, 2022, 7:48:00 AM]
Yes the intelligence process, including Open Source, is never ending - based on new info coming in - which constantly alters conclusions/estimates .
Major party promises aside I think its healthy to have a change of Australian Government every 7 years, or so. Within the 7 years corruption, stale ideas and interests become entrenched.
Cheers Pete
Hi Anonymous (at Mar 8, 2022, 1:52:00 PM)
As you say running a navy is also about family-social relationships which provides a greater pool of happy crews and recruits.
Also there is the argument that the financial gains of hosting naval bases and/or naval construction should more evenly be shared amongst the states. Furthermore defence funding is an industrial regional development and high tech industrial resource.
Western Australia, South Australia and NSW get large infusions of Federal money for naval activities. Its only fair that Brisbane, Queensland gets an increased share.
Regards Pete
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