Episode 148

We start where we left off with some words about conventionally powered submarines. Here we have been told that only nuclear powered submarines can survive in a modern war - yet Canada, Germany and Norway are ordering a total of 24 advanced, stealthy non-nuclear submarines, which raises the question: are they suicidal idiots, or have Australians been misled? Clearly Australians have been misled.

Then we unpack a few myths about submarines - they are a powerful deterrent but they do not deserve some sort of magical reputation. In the Australian context they have a very patchy record - we had none at all between 1914 and 1967 and somehow managed to survive. Except for 5 days in April 1914 Australian submarines have never fired a torpedo in anger. They have seen far less actual combat than almost every other part of the ADF, yet they have managed to fool politicians by a bit of showmanship.

Finally some words on industry policy and how the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) is starting to show some encouraging results. Let's continue to develop those skills and look at producing an air defence missile rather than continuing to rely on the U.S.

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