I publish analysis about subs, other naval matters, nuclear weapons and broad political issues. Unlike most advanced countries Australian submarine changes are very slow. The first Collins LOTE may be limited to optronic masts (?) and only ready in 2030 (?). Triumphant Trump may decide to cancel Biden's "Democrat" AUKUS Virginia offer because the US Navy needs all operational SSNs right through to the 2040s. My colleagues Shawn C and Gessler are excellent writers. Pete
November 9, 2022
Australia Looking to SAAB for LOTE Help
Australia's Chief of Navy, Vice Adm. Hammond, more or less, told the Senate this.
4 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Pete
Thanks for the link to this article which I had missed. I am actually pleased to read it on two grounds.
First the contacting of SAAB over the Collins LOTE is sensible given the Swedes have just done a mid life upgrade on their own subs. It is silly for us to “reinvent the wheel” and reduces risk on LOTE.
Second the reported waste on the ASC upgrade, while annoying, suggests the navy are finally checking what is required to get ASC up to a nuclear engineering standard and planning for it. It is a critical step in terms of SSN construction.
Yes it makes sence after SAAB's LOTE (officially called "Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU)") of the Gotland-class (many Gotland components also aboard the Collins) that SAAB should win a lot of the Collins LOTE contract.
Also SAAB https://www.saab.com/products/oceanic dearly needs non-Swedish inflows of revenue. Revenues from SAAB maintaining the Swedish designed Singaporian Archers and Challengers aren't enough.
SAAB's submarine revenue stream has been hit by too many delayed potential orders (eg. Dutch Walrus replacement and Poland's submarine replacement needs) that have been delayed, mainly due to defence costs of Covid and now training of the Ukrainian army and "special" navy.
Also there is the disruption of Swedish/broad NATO attention being diverted towards increasing their preparedness against potential Russian aggressive "strategies".
Thanks for proving that the RAN, at the highest level, is looking at SAAB as a major contractor for the Collins LOTE.
This is indicated by the Tweet https://twitter.com/CN_Australia/status/1574966886986846208 you've identified
by Australia's Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Hammond, of September 28, 2022, which reads:
"Thank you to Chief of the Royal Swedish Navy for the opportunity to visit SAAB Kockums shipyard where #AusNavy’s Collins Class submarines were designed.
I’m grateful for your insights on LOTE as Australia prepares to upgrade & extend our Fleet’s operational life."
4 comments:
Pete
Thanks for the link to this article which I had missed. I am actually pleased to read it on two grounds.
First the contacting of SAAB over the Collins LOTE is sensible given the Swedes have just done a mid life upgrade on their own subs. It is silly for us to “reinvent the wheel” and reduces risk on LOTE.
Second the reported waste on the ASC upgrade, while annoying, suggests the navy are finally checking what is required to get ASC up to a nuclear engineering standard and planning for it. It is a critical step in terms of SSN construction.
Hi Anonymos @Nov 10, 2022, 12:04:00 AM
Yes it makes sence after SAAB's LOTE (officially called "Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU)") of the Gotland-class (many Gotland components also aboard the Collins) that SAAB should win a lot of the Collins LOTE contract.
Also SAAB https://www.saab.com/products/oceanic dearly needs non-Swedish inflows of revenue. Revenues from SAAB maintaining the Swedish designed Singaporian Archers and Challengers aren't enough.
SAAB's submarine revenue stream has been hit by too many delayed potential orders (eg. Dutch Walrus replacement and Poland's submarine replacement needs) that have been delayed, mainly due to defence costs of Covid and now training of the Ukrainian army and "special" navy.
Also there is the disruption of Swedish/broad NATO attention being diverted towards increasing their preparedness against potential Russian aggressive "strategies".
Regards Pete
Hi Pete,
There has been an Australian visit to Saab Kockums shipyard also
https://twitter.com/CN_Australia/status/1574966886986846208
/Kjell
Hi /Kjell @Nov 11, 2022, 11:17:00 PM
Thanks for proving that the RAN, at the highest level, is looking at SAAB as a major contractor for the Collins LOTE.
This is indicated by the Tweet https://twitter.com/CN_Australia/status/1574966886986846208 you've identified
by Australia's Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Hammond, of September 28, 2022, which reads:
"Thank you to Chief of the Royal Swedish Navy for the opportunity to visit SAAB Kockums shipyard where #AusNavy’s Collins Class submarines were designed.
I’m grateful for your insights on LOTE as Australia prepares to upgrade & extend our Fleet’s operational life."
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