The misadventures of AUKUS robot AlboGov never cease. I publish on subs, other naval,
nuclear weapons & broad political issues. Aussie sub changes are glacial: talk rather than actual new subs. The 1st Collins LOTE may secretly concern the US Combat System & be ready 2029. Trump may decide to cancel the AUKUS Virginia offer due to USN advice it 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.
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."
Pete
ReplyDeleteThanks 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
ReplyDeleteYes 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,
ReplyDeleteThere 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
ReplyDeleteThanks 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."