Only last month, the Joint Committee for Parliamentary Accounts and Audit examined yet another multi-billion dollar project that was delayed by 3–4 years when paper-based down-selection proved inadequate. At the hearing Defence officials advised that the lesson on preview T&E had been learnt, the new T&E policy would ensure a repeat was unlikely, and that, interestingly, the current restructure of Defence should only strengthen use of this preview T&E policy.Keith Joiners's article
DCNS’s Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A, a derivative of its Barracuda nuclear-powered attack submarine currently under construction in France, has turned out to be the winner.
Because of the endurance and long range stipulated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the French have selected the Barracuda as their design reference. The Shortfin Barracuda will be equipped with four diesel alternators to generate electricity, a >7 megawatt permanent magnet motor and ample battery storage.Article
Article
I just wanted to touch upon the announcement of the chosen bidder for the Collins Class Submarine Replacement at this time. I do want to give a brief look at the Japanese failed bid. Overall I will leave the details for future blog entries. Also I am aiming to avoid a technical/geeky discussion around the merits of each design that was submitted to the Competitive Evaluation Process (hereafter CEP).
My aim as always is to provide content for the general reader as much as the military enthusiast. Note to the reader Keith Joiner's article was written before the outcome of the CEP was made public.
I will start off with my glance at the Japanese Bid. Did then Prime Minster Tony Abbott's support for the Japanese option undermine the later CEP Process? Let me explain my reasoning behind the question. How could have the Department of Defence selected a version of the Soryu Class submarine without the appearance of political favoritism overriding the CEP process?
My concerns are 2 fold at this point in time. Firstly I wonder how sound the CEP was in light the political climate in Australia? There is every reason to think the Malcolm Turnbull was under all sorts of pressure to announce subs would be build in South Australia. The announcement would have been intended to shore up votes at the Federal Election which is due sometime this year. Could the timing of the announcement sacrificed a sound CEP?
Secondly my concerns are fairly in line with avoiding the problems that were encountered with the development and construction of the Collins Class Submarines. I like the case made by Keith Joiner for a sound Testing and Evaluation (hereafter T&E) Process. The process must take place early on in the development of the Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A before the first of the class enters sea trials.
I believe the focus of public discussion and debate should be around the way to establish and operate the best T&E process in the world. Also with the 12 Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A's to be build locally the focus must be on modernising shipyards and associated industries. I would make the argument for 3D Printing and Robotics being at the heart of the technological revolution around civilian and military industries.
Lastly I would say restoring public confidence is equally as important implementing a sound T&E process. In order to restore public confidence I would first bring to the public's attention the strategic value the Collins Class Submarines have offered Australia. I would do the same for the Collins Class Submarines accomplishments such as "sinking" United States Navy Aircraft Carriers during exercises. Despite the well documented issues , I believe Australians should take great pride in the RAN's fleet of Collins Class Submarines.
I would bring forward the launch of the first new submarine by around five years. This would negate the need to upgrade the Collins Class Submarines , give Australia more military options in the Asia – Pacific and ensure the project remains in the minds and eyes of the public.
Some points to note. Whilst it might appear to be desirable that an earlier introduction of the new submarine class happens, in reality that would create pressures and tensions that would make an already very risky project far more risky. There are going to be significant issues with this build and one being the integration of the US systems into a French design. There are substantial ITAR and IP issues involved that would not have presented themselves I in a German or Japanese design.
ReplyDeleteThe CEP appears to be a totally political process because it has not allowed for a full technical evaluation of all three of the contenders submissions. Something of this complexity takes a significant longer time to evaluate than the CEP has allowed. It appears that the final selection may not have been the one that the RAN and the ADF preferred.
Australian naval programs of recent times have suffered from what some would call inordinate amounts of political interference once a decision has been made which has resulted in large cost and temporal over runs, platforms requiring significant remedial work, platforms that are not fit for purpose etc. The Collins submarine build is a classic example which cost billions to sort out, but now is arguably the deadliest SSK around.