We have known for several years that the SSN-AUKUS program, which should enable the Australian Navy to equip itself with nuclear attack submarines, turns out to be, in many aspects, a shaky structure. Until now, however, it was above all the difficulties encountered by the American naval industry, which must deliver 3 to 5 Virginia-class SSNs to the Royal Australian Navy, from 2034 to 2037, which focused the concerns.
Indeed, numerous reports, notably from the auditing bodies of the United States Congress, have expressed doubts as to the possibility, for the US industry, of jointly delivering a Columbia-class SSBN, and the 2.3 SSN Virginia class, starting in 2030, necessary for Congress to authorize the sale of nuclear ships to Canberra.
But another problem is at work in this matter, and this time, it is on the Australian side. The Australian press has just revealed that the Royal Australian Navy currently has only one operational Collins-class submarine. Worse still, according to several experts, it would be illusory to hope that these ships could be extended until 2035, and beyond, to connect with the hypothetical delivery of the American Virginia-class SSNs.
Only one Collins submarine from the Australian Navy operational according to the Australian press
The Australian press has just revealed some very worrying information regarding the availability of the Royal Australian Navy’s submarine fleet. Indeed, according to information obtained, five of the six Collins-class submarines are currently unable to put to sea, leaving only a single vessel available to protect the approximately 25,760 km of Australian coastline and the 8.16 million km² of its Exclusive Economic Zone, located in the most active naval theater on the planet.
A Collins-class submarine accompanied by a US Navy SSN Los Angeles, in the foreground
Several factors explain this catastrophic availability of the Australian submarine fleet. In particular, Adelaide’s Osborne Shipyards, which is hosting two of these vessels for a period of maintenance and modernization, is facing a major strike, blocking the process.
But the root of the problem concerns the recently observed appearance of serious corrosion problems on all 6 hulls designed by the Swedish company Kockums, built by Australian shipyards and entered into service from 1993 to 2003.
When questioned directly by Australian journalists, the authorities responded in the purest style of political jargon, asserting that the availability of Australian submarines was in accordance with established planninget that the Royal Australian Navy had the necessary number of ships to carry out its missions, if necessary. Which, in itself, neither invalidates nor confirms the allegations made by the Australian press.
And to add “ For operational security reasons, Defense does not confirm precise locations and availability of specific platforms“, a very practical screen to cut short a very embarrassing subject for the Albanese government which, if it is not at the origin of the SSN-AUKUS program, absolutely did not question it upon its arrival at the power, in 2022.
Several Australian experts consider it unrealistic to extend the Collins submarines until the arrival of the Virginias and the SSN-AUKUS
The appearance of these corrosion problems seems to have loosened the tongues of some Australian experts, casting doubt on the possibility, for the Collins, of being extended beyond 2036, in order to allow operational overlap with the arrival of the first three Virginia-class SSNs, which the United States is to sell to Australia, under the SSN-AUKUS program.
The United States has promised to deliver 3 to 5 Virginia-class SSNs to the Australian Navy to take over from the Collins, starting in 2034.
