First some unfinished business from the Submarine Institute of Australia conference. The Chief of Navy asks why aren’t there more positive stories about Collins submarines? The reason is quite simple: because you won’t tell us anything. This goes for the other services as well – you cannot complain about lack of coverage if you deliberately suppress the release of information. That’s something that Defence Minister Richard Marles knows well. It’s the definition of hypocrisy: say you are in favour of communicating with the Australian public and then obstruct journalists from doing their job.
Some words about the new Trump administration starting to take shape and the surprisingly large amount of publicity about our current Ambassador – and former Labor PM – Kevin Rudd. Deciding who the Australian Ambassador should be is a decision for us – not anyone else. As for the eternal bonds of friendship between the US and Australia – when Trump was last President he didn’t even bother appointing an Ambassador here until the end of his term. That’s a clear indication of the importance Trump attaches to Australia. None.
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Thanks Kym for the update.
Pretty much business as usual with respect to the poor management of Defence, seemingly at all levels, across all projects.
The General Purpose Frigate program continues to be a very sad comedy of errors. I am sure I read somewhere the other day that the first Hunter class frigate is to be launched in the early 2030’s so I shudder to think about the time frame for the GP frigates to enter service.
Also just a thought – the Arafura class OPV project seems to have gone very, very quiet with no information readily available. If the Arafura class are deemed to be not fit for purpose and handed over to border force – will there be a new project implemented to identify and source a new OPV design.
Nothing new occurring with the AUKUS submarine fiasco although again I saw an article the other day suggesting that US and UK will be potentially asking for another cash injection into the coffers at some point.
Thanks Rod – my guess is that under President Trump we will be asked to pay a lot more for 2 old Virginia-class clunkers.
Thanks for the update on how thinks are happening in the Defence Sector ( or should that be Not Happening). Unfortunately I don’t see much, if any, chance of anything changing until Australia starts to make less politically expedient decisions and more in the interests of the Country. Australia’s concept of Sovereignty is a joke, they have no idea what acceleration actually means, they don’t understand the meaning of deterrence and as for Open and Honest communication goes , believe the old adage “Treat em like Mushrooms”. Navantia proposed a series of warships ( Tasman Corvette,Alpha 5000 Destroyer and Flight 111 Destroyer) a concept that provided compatibility through the Fleet And should have at least been considered. Luerssen offered the C 90 Corvette as well as the Transfields JPV in the 90’s all very good concepts that have been totally sacrificed on the alter of politics. The obsession with AUKUS could be understood if the Pillar 2 section was actually providing anything but who knows what else the Powers that been aren’t telling us. Australians have had to endure so many “ the most important Defence document of our time” (which none or little of have been acted on) announcements that it’s getting ridiculous. What really is happening ( thanks to credible Journalists and Publications like APDR) is a Funding Of the U.S. Industrial Sector, a steady over reliance on overseas manufacturing and supply lines, primarily from the U.S., a Defence plan that is decades away from delivering anything ( despite its DSR, NDS, IFR and DIDS all Saying we needs stuff NOW) , a surrendering of our regionally superior conventional Submarine Capability, the dismantling of our Helicopter Capability, a steady reduction in the Surface Fleet, the scrapping of MCM Capability, the alienation Of Australian Defence Companies, the continued reliance on Aircraft with insufficient range to achieve a viable defence, the gutting of Infantry mobility, the purchase of Heavy Armour unsuitable for Australian Conditions, a grandiose Frigate That can’t defend itself and the piece de resistance Relying on the purchase of second hand Virginias from the U.S. despite the U.S. being unable to fulfil its own requirements and to cap it all off a policy of secrecy and misinformation that the KGB would die for. Australia needs to smarten up when it comes to Defence and learn what Sovereignty means.
That’s a good summary. Most countries try to project an image of military strength and competence as part of a deterrence strategy. Australia – almost uniquely – is doing the exact opposite.