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Unlikely this would have happened had it not been for the perceived Chinese threat.
by locusm 5y ago
Unlikely this would have happened had it not been for the perceived Chinese threat.
- AnotherGoodName 5y agoA gauge of the reactions in /r/australia show strong support from the left and right wings in Australia. It's rare to see such agreement. Also 12 of them is a sizable fleet. Larger than the UK or French nuclear sub fleets. So yes. It's China. Particularly China under Xi Jinping.
- dirtyid 5y agoThese are replacing the 12 subs ordered from France, itself replacing 6 current Collins class due for replacement in the early 2030s. The french contract was missing deadlines, and there is even less chance these boats will be on schedule considering they're nukes. So total 6 extra hulls, typically 1/3 will be deployed while others train or maintain. Does extra presence of 2 subs dramatically affect PRC strategic planning in the 2040s/50s. Maybe, but not that much.