Admiral Radakin with SubMatts' most illustrious mole, Commander Bond, James Bond.
(Photo courtesy Evening Standard.)
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Submarine Matters' main mole suspected the UK's Chief of Defence Staff Admiral, Sir Tony Radakin, travelled to Australia to take part, July 25 - 27, 2022, in the Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) Conference in Sydney. And so, it has come to pass. Radakin's CHODs discussions
were wide and mainly confidential.
Australia’s government owned
ABC News reported, July 30, 2022, that Admiral Radakin had several things to say on all important submarine
matters, as follows:
“In a wide-ranging interview with the ABC…Admiral…Radakin, also flagged
more visits [probably to Fleet Base West] Australia from Royal Navy nuclear-powered [Astute] submarines as work
continues on the ambitious AUKUS project.”
Admiral Radakin “flagged increased cooperation
and training with the Royal Navy...".
"We've always
had a strong relationship between our two countries, or two militaries, and especially
our two navies," he said.
Admiral Radakin
also revealed that Royal Australian Navy personnel have travelled to the UK to begin
training onboard the Royal Navy's nuclear-powered submarines.
"Australian submariners are coming to Europe [ie. the UK] to experience a nuclear
submarine and how we go about that, our capabilities and our tactics in the North
Atlantic, all as part of this learning process," he said...
6 comments:
Hi Pete
I hope you are following the drama surrounding the US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's impending trip to Taiwan which is causing the Chinese to throw a fit. Personally I won't be surprised if we're going to see a re-run of the Taiwan Strait Crisis.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Taiwan_Strait_Crisis
All the ingredients seem to be in place:
https://news.usni.org/2022/08/01/carrier-uss-ronald-reagan-two-f-35b-big-decks-operating-near-taiwan-as-pelosi-arrives-in-singapore-china-renews-threats
We'll see how much has actually changed on the ground in the last 25 years with regard to the US-China military equation and regarding how comfortable the Chinese feel in throwing down the gauntlet at America's feet.
Interesting times
Cheers
Thanks Gessler
Only Trump could gain if China takes out his nemesis Nancy
with a Pelosi seeking missile.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Pelosi#Trump_presidency
That Trump said yesterday
"Xi Make my day
Nancy loves Taiwan, OK?!"
I wouldn't be a bit surprised.
Pete
As for the Mole and possible choices for the RAN, I think it is significant. Radikin and the RAN are arranging for entire crews to gain experience sailing RN SSNs.
Whereas the arrangement for RAN engineering officers to attend the USN naval nuclear propulsion college courses is for two per year. That will lead to perhaps two dozen nuclear trained RAN engineering officers by the time the first RAN SSN is ready for sea.
A scenario that fits the evidence is that the RAN is preparing to crew UK designed SSNs, while having a core of experienced engineering officers that can lead maintenance of SSNs based in Australia whether they are RN or USN boats.
AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE STRATEGY REVIEW JUST ANNOUNCED
Hi Anonymous [at Aug 2, 2022, 10:58:00 PM]
Thanks for your info and comments.
Comparing the large Australian submariner participation, beginning to be reported, with the UK RN vs just 2 officers to train in the US
it seems clearer Australia may be going for the UK Astute successor SSN(R).
If the Defence Strategy Review* that Aus PM Albanese has just announced, provides impetus-in-context for the 2023 "SSN" Taskforce** Report
that concludes Australia should buy into
1. ongoing Astute production for the RAN after HMS Agincourt, from 2027
or
2. significantly earlier delivery of UK SSN(R)s in the 2030s,
then those would be a good outcomes.
* https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/worst-i-have-ever-seen-major-review-of-australias-defence-force-launched-amid-growing-security-threats/i7liw0m3a
** https://www.defence.gov.au/about/taskforces/nuclear-powered-submarine-task-force
Regards Pete
Pete
Agreed. I would be happy with either of those outcomes. At this point I have parked any preference about individual designs and think the main focus should be on what can be obtained quickly adn commissioned to minimise capability gaps for the RAN.
Since the USN is plainly not able to build or spare SSNs in the foreseeable future, that means a UK design - Astute or SSN(R).
It will be interesting to follow progress of the review, although I hope it does not delay needed decisions on SSNs or Frigates.
Hi Anonymous [at Aug 3, 2022, 3:43:00 PM]
I think the RAN Submarine Lobby and Adelaide/Perth Industry have always seemed narrowly ambitious when asking too much by going for a LOTE + New Interim SSKs + Nuclear subs.
So hopefully a wide ranging Review will put Spending within Defence and taking account of pressing civilian priorities, eg. Australia's civilian Healthcare crisis, into perspective.
A bit concerned that Marles https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Marles
might be shunting his Defence responsibility by making a former, unsuccessful, Defence Minister https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Smith_(Australian_politician) a leader of the Review.
I suspect it will be former Minister Smith who will be tasked with saying some defence programs will need to be slashed rather than the ambitious Marles having to do it.
Regards Pete
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