June 4, 2024

Half Collins Fleet Docked Long Term

Andrew Greene for Australia's ABC News, reported May 31, 2024:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-31/unprecedented-corrosion-discovered-on-collins-class-submarine/103919164

"Unprecedented corrosion discovered on Collins Class submarines, half of fleet to remain out of service this year

Half of Australia's Collins Class submarine fleet will remain out of the water for the rest of the year with unprecedented corrosion problems discovered on two of the ageing boats.

Officials from ASC, formerly Australian Submarine Corporation, have confirmed three submarines are currently in shipyards receiving upgrades and urgent maintenance, meaning just three others are available for the Navy during 2024.

At a Senate estimates hearing, ASC CEO Stuart Whiley revealed that engineers had discovered significant corrosion damage on board HMAS Sheean during full cycle docking work which will require further repairs until at least Christmas.

"The delays have been primarily caused by hull preservation issues relating to the weapons discharge and a number of hull forgings which we've not seen before," Mr Whiley told the committee.

"You have to remove all of the corrosion, so you have to grind it out, then you have to replace the metal you've removed effected by welding techniques and then you have to machine the weld to effectively get the tolerances to fit for the equipment that then goes on to it.

"That's effectively what we're trying to do here, and these are in fairly difficult, unique places to do [the work]," Mr Whiley explained to the committee under questioning from Liberal senator Simon Birmingham.

While work continues on HMAS Sheean at Adelaide's Osborne shipyard, different corrosion issues have also been discovered on HMAS Farncomb which has extended her scheduled intermediate docking at the Henderson shipyard in Western Australia.

Submarine docked to a port.
HMAS Sheean returns alongside to family and friends at Fleet Base West, Rockingham, Western Australia, after leaving in April.(Royal Australian Navy: Richard Cordell)

"There's a variety of corrosion on a number of areas throughout the boat… it's relating to corrosion of frames and parts of tanks that we've not seen a level of for a boat of this nature."

At the same time HMAS Rankin has also arrived at the Osborne shipyard for a scheduled maintenance full cycle docking period but Navy has not yet handed the boat over to ASC, the first time half the fleet has been out of action since 2012.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, whose department wholly owns ASC, was also questioned about when she had been informed of the extent of the problems on the Collins Class fleet.

"I'm satisfied that ASC are doing what they need to do and engaging with Defence and in terms of matters relating to Defence's overall budget I work closely with the Minister of Defence on those matters."

When pressed by Senator Birmingham on when she was last formally briefed by ASC on the Collins Class fleet, Senator Gallagher confirmed she met with the organisation in February but could not recall precisely what was discussed.

Australia is hoping to continue operating Collins Class submarines well into the 2030s when they're gradually replaced by second-hand nuclear powered Virginia class boats purchased from from the United States under the AUKUS partnership."

17 comments:

  1. OT: Malaysia finally splashes the first Maharaja Lela Frigate (again)

    Contract for 6 awarded 2011, construction started 2014, first hull launch 2017, first delivery date missed (2019)

    Project suspended (2020), project restarted (2021), first hull splashed again (2024) estimated delivery (2026) fifth ship to be delivered (2029)

    Initial cost estimate: RM9 billlion for six ships, or roughly US$466 million per unit,
    New cost estimate (2023) RM11.2 billion for five units, or roughly US$758 per ship…

    https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/06/malaysias-first-littoral-combat-ship-kd-maharaja-lela-enters-water/

    ReplyDelete
  2. [Off topic] India's carrier ambitions:


    "India may build a fleet of five to six new aircraft carriers, according to a
    comment from the country's defense minister that's been widely debated about
    whether that's a good strategy or if the offhand remark was even serious."

    See:

    https://www.businessinsider.com/comment-stirs-speculation-india-may-match-chinas-carrier-fleet-2024-5

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Collins class won't be getting Tomahawks either:

    "Australia has decided not to go ahead with plans to add Tomahawk land
    attack cruise missile (TLAM) capabilities to its six Collins class
    diesel-electric attack submarines, leaving the Royal Australian Navy’s
    (RAN) undersea force with a firepower gap for years to come. This
    scaling back of the torpedo-tube-launched TLAM concept comes as
    Australia awaits the delivery of Tomahawk-equipped Virginia class
    nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines from the U.S. and the
    new SSN AUKUS class nuclear-powered, conventionally armed boats it is
    designing with the U.K."

    See:

    https://www.twz.com/sea/australia-wont-arm-collins-class-submarines-with-tomahawks

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Shawn at 6/04/2024 11:10 PM

    Looks like Malaysia's Maharaja Lelas will be 3,000 tonne in-betweeners (light frigates or heavy corvettes). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maharaja_Lela-class_frigate

    Too small to handle Malaysia's well armed neighbours or China - maybe orientated against non-state actions like piracy and illegal fishing?

    Cheers Pete

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Anonymous at 6/05/2024 1:03 AM

    Unfortunately the link you've provided https://www.businessinsider.com/comment-stirs-speculation-india-may-match-chinas-carrier-fleet-2024-5 is Paywalled.

    In any case India was contemplating (over the last 2 to 3 years) not even building a 3rd carrier (eg. INS Vishul) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_of_the_Indian_Navy#Aircraft_carriers

    As a higher priority India was to build between 3 and 6 Project 75 Alpha SSNs to defend India's growing SSBN fleet.

    Any serious plan "India may build a fleet of five to six new aircraft carriers" seems to me more like an "offhand remark" by India's Defence Minister - maybe as a political slogan to counter China's larger fleet of carriers potential.

    Cheers Pete

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Anonymous at 6/06/2024 9:37 AM

    Re: "The Collins class won't be getting Tomahawks either:"
    and https://www.twz.com/sea/australia-wont-arm-collins-class-submarines-with-tomahawks

    Seems a sensible decision.

    Why spend many $Millions fitting out the hardware and software for Collins torpedo launched Tomahawks if scenarios to use them are minimal.

    In their anti-shipping role the Collins already have their Harpoon SLCMs and torpedoes.

    As for Tomahawk land attack - where? Chinese mainland? Pacific islands? Southeast Asia? Even US-UK submarine Tomahawk use against Mid-East and Afghan targets was rare and optional. There being surface ship launched Tomahawks, aircraft launched missiles and bombs. Also in next 5-10 years armed GHOST BATs will likely extend range into dangerous target areas.

    Cheers Pete

    ReplyDelete
  7. "Unfortunately the link you've provided https://www.businessinsider.com/comment-stirs-speculation-india-may-match-chinas-carrier-fleet-2024-5 is Paywalled.



    The article is also available at:

    https://ca.news.yahoo.com/bizarre-stirred-speculation-india-may-101302497.html

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Anonymous at 6/06/2024 3:16 PM

    After I earlier commented "Any serious plan "India may build a fleet of five to six new aircraft carriers" seems to me more like an "offhand remark" by India's Defence Minister - maybe as a political slogan to counter China's larger fleet of carriers potential.

    Cheers Pete

    6/06/2024 12:36 PM"

    Thanks indeed for the new link https://ca.news.yahoo.com/bizarre-stirred-speculation-india-may-101302497.html

    titled "A bizarre comment stirred speculation India may try to match China's carrier fleet"

    which vindicates my earlier China connection suspicion.

    Cheers Pete

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Pete,

    The Collins-class availability problem is quite a headache for the RAN I must say..

    Pardon this silly question, but would there be a chance of a short-term COTS purchase of some TKMS subs from ongoing production lines?

    Cheers

    TW

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi TW at 6/06/2024 3:51 PM

    In answer to your question:

    The TKMS production line producing the closest medium-large sub that might approach the RAN's needs is the Type 212CD https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_212CD_submarine

    The 212CDs already earmarked and part paid for are for the German and Norwegian navies with production locked up for the next 10 years.

    Also taking 10-12 years would be about 5 years for Australia-TKMS contractual negotiations which cannot be speeded up due to the $multi-billions a batch of submarines costs. There is always some tailor-making of the subs for the RAN (eg. larger crew, longer range at higher speeds) due to the RAN's unique mission needs. Construction might be an additional 7 years flat out in Germany or if built in Australia 11 years.

    Also the RAN's Collins Life Of Type Extention (LOTE) plans are firming up with the first sub, HMAS Farncomb, from 2026 due to receive an update probably till 2029 (minimum) which would be vastly quicker than Australia ordering subs from TKMS.

    Cheers Pete

    ReplyDelete
  11. Pete,

    RAN could always lease three to six Soryu- class submarines for the JMSDF. I’m sure the Japanese will throw in a free translation of the subs OS.

    The Malaysian Maharaja Lela class has to many unknowns, especially over its weapons and equipment fit. They should operate 57mm gun, NSM and the Smart-S system, but there’s no SAM purchase yet - 16x MICA is mentioned, but that’s a short range (20km from VL) SAM system and with the Smart-S, means this frigate/corvette is not designed for front line service, roughly equivalent to an RNZN Anzac frigate, EEZ patrol is probably best they can do.

    The RMN’s Super Lynx are now pretty old as well, so they need to get a new ASW helo into service soon

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm sure South Korea would be happy to sell:

    "The KSS-III was the first submarine designed and built independently in the
    Republic of Korea. When surfaced, the KSS-III displaces 3,300 tonnes with
    dimensions of 83.3×9.6×7.62m. It is equipped with an AIP (Air Independent
    Propulsion) system using fuel cell. The underwater speed is 20 knots. KSS-III
    is armed with six 533.4mm tubes for heavy torpedoes, anti-ship missiles,
    cruise missiles and bottom mines. In addition – as the first ‘Western’
    conventional submarine – the class received hull-mounted vertical launchers
    for SLBM (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles) with conventional warheads."

    Source:

    https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/06/kss-iii-submarine-sets-course-for-the-baltic-sea/

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Anonymous at 6/08/2024 3:58 PM

    I reckon Australia choosing a whole new class of SSKs, that are becoming obsolete, is not the answer.

    Unlike vertical launch systems (VLS) on SSNs, which can be deployed very quickly near the whole object of the exercise, China,

    VLS on KSS-III SSKs would be deployed too slowly or not at all due to diesel fuel limitations.

    Also the KSS-IIIs AIP would be a dead weight burden (providing for only one foray into the South China Sea) given Australia's long mission patterns.

    After the Collins LOTEs time out in the 2030s best to go the SSN and/or highly capable XLUUV routes.

    Cheers Pete

    ReplyDelete
  14. "After the Collins LOTEs time out in the 2030s best to go the SSN and/or highly capable XLUUV routes."


    Interestingly enough, South Korea is looking into procuring SSNs as well:

    https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/11/south-korean-admiral-claims-that-nuclear-powered-submarines-are-necessary/

    ReplyDelete
  15. anonymous @6/10/2024 7:09 AM

    Yeah, Pete and I discussed SK SSNs about six months ago

    SK is already researching small PWR reactors, and in our opinion there will be a SK SSBN program - can't tell you how soon, as that's a political decision, but all the jigsaw pieces will soon be ready.

    ReplyDelete
  16. @Pete,

    James Cameron on the Titan implosion
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb9uqlr7b4Q&ab_channel=60MinutesAustralia

    When the incident happened, it was quickly clear to anyone with some knowledge about ocean pressure and composite materials that they were dead. I know they tried to blame the USCG for their slow response causing 'hope' to remain, but the Coasties have never done an underwater rescue, and the USN acoustic info could have been compartmentalized from the on-site USCG commander.


    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Shawn at 6/10/2024 2:41 PM

    Alas! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb9uqlr7b4Q&ab_channel=60MinutesAustralia has been geo-blocked in my American colony - the colony of Australia.

    SubMatts has been across the details of "USN acoustic info" for some years:

    - re Australia and IUSS in 2016 https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2016/06/undersea-passive-acoustic-australian.html

    - and in 2022 https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2022/05/australia-and-possible-iuss-connections.html

    - in 2022 https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2022/05/us-uk-canadian-undersea-surveillance.html

    - and more specifically in 2023 https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2023/06/us-iuss-sensors-precisely-knew-titans.html

    Cheers Pete

    ReplyDelete

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