Australian navy's hunt for new sub to replace Collins class

[CougarKing]

No more hope for Soryus for Australia?

Wall Street Journal

Japan Falls Behind in Race for Australian Submarine Contract
Japanese bid was viewed as risky because of inexperience building naval equipment overseas

By Rob Taylor
Updated April 20, 2016 6:36 a.m. ET
6 COMMENTS

CANBERRA, Australia—Japan has been virtually eliminated from a multibillion-dollar contest to supply Australia’s navy with new submarines, two people familiar with the matter said, with German or French competitors now favored to win one of the world’s most lucrative current weapons deals.

Senior Australian security ministers met Tuesday to consider offers to build 12 conventionally powered submarines in Australia, the people said. While the conservative government has yet to make a final decision, one of the people said the Japanese bid was viewed as having “considerable risk,” given Japanese inexperience building naval equipment overseas.

(...SNIPPED)

 

[Colin Parkinson]

More like "cleansing any potential taint of the contract" they may be making sure that if Japan is chosen that the deal looks all above board and based on technical specs.

 

[CougarKing]

Thoughts, OTR?

Reuters

Australian police to investigate submarine tender leak: ABC
Reuters – 22 hours ago

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian police are investigating how confidential information about the outcome of a tender process for Australia's next submarine fleet was leaked to the media, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on Saturday.

It is the second leak from within the military acquisition project which has come down to a race between bids from French, German and Japanese companies for an A$50 billion contract to build 12 submarines.

Australia's Federal Police confirmed in a statement to the ABC that they had been asked to investigate, the broadcaster said. Police spokesmen were not available for comment.

(...SNIPPED)

 

[YZT580]

I suppose that this announcement by the police simply verifies the veracity of the leak. 

 

[OTR1]

Thoughts, OTR?

My thoughts?

I concur with YZT's comment re the leak and its implications.

 

[CougarKing]

From Twitter:

The Today Show Verified account
‏@TheTodayShow

.@9NewsAUS can reveal the French Consortium has been awarded the contract for next gen AUS submarines. #9Today

 

[CougarKing]

More details on the winning French bid:

Sydney Morning Herald

France wins $50b contract to help build Australia's new submarines

Date
    April 26, 2016 - 1:14PM


David Wroe


Australia's new 12-strong submarines fleet will be built in South Australia, with France's DCNS winning the $50 billion contract. Courtesy ABC News 24.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced all 12 of Australia's next fleet of submarines will be built in Adelaide from local steel, with France winning the hard-fought global race for the $50 billion contract.

Mr Turnbull said in Adelaide on Tuesday morning that the decades-long program would create about 2800 direct jobs and help Australia transition to a 21st century economy.

(...SNIPPED)

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Well that is an interesting turn of events...

 

[Sub_Guy]

Shocking.

Hopefully these will be quieter than anything else that comes from France..

 

[GR66]

Shocking.

Hopefully these will be quieter than anything else that comes from France..

  ;D

 

[Humphrey Bogart]

Massive statement of intent from Australia.  12 Nuclear Powered subs capable of launching cruise missiles.  The Aussies are becoming a serious military power. 

 

[Colin Parkinson]

I thought these were diesel-electric subs based off of a nuke sub hull?

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

They are: It is quite specifically mentioned in the third paragraph from the end in the Newspaper article quoted.

besides, the whole contest has always been of diesel electric boats - the nuclear option had been rejected by Australia some time ago.

 

[Kirkhill]

Massive statement of intent from Australia.  12 Nuclear Powered subs capable of launching cruise missiles.  The Aussies are becoming a serious military power.

Not quite Bogie.

DCNS makes a wide range of cutting-edge submarines, ranging from small attack boats to massive strategic nuclear missile submarines.

Their Shortfin Barracuda design will be a variant of an existing French nuclear-powered boat. It will be converted to a diesel-electric powered design.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/france-wins-50b-submarine-contract-20160425-goeuxh.html#ixzz46wVwFO4K
Follow us: @smh on Twitter | sydneymorningherald on Facebook

A non-standard nuclear boat converted to diesel-electric.  This could be interesting - in the pop-corn munching way.

God.  Getting slower.  Beaten by Colin and OGBD

 

[Humphrey Bogart]

Not quite Bogie.

A non-standard nuclear boat converted to diesel-electric.  This could be interesting - in the pop-corn munching way.

God.  Getting slower.  Beaten by Colin and OGBD

I missed that!  Thx!

 

[Colin Parkinson]

The French plan to finish the Barracuda contract by 2029 and can see the Aussie contract taking a similar amount of time to complete, might be an option to tag onto as our subs will be due for replacement then.

 

[Retired AF Guy]

Some details (from various sources) I was able to find on the Shortfin Barracuda.

Official Designation: Shortfin Baracuda Block 1A
Length: 97m
Beam: 8.8m
Displacement: 4785 tonnes (submerged)
Range: 18,000 nm @ 10 kts
Top speed: 20+ kts
Endurance: 80 days
Crew: 60 + 20 SF
Weapons sytsems(1):

• F21 torpedoes ( 8 tubes)
• Exocet ASM
• Scalp Cruise missiles
• A3SM anti-helicopter missiles

Propulsion: Pump-jet propulsor, combined with a shrouded rotor and stator which are designed to reduce cavitation allowing the submarine to operate quietly.

• According to DCNS the Shortfin will be equipped with the "most powerful [passive]sonar to be placed on a conventional submarine".
  
• Will be equipped with "non-pentrating" (stealth?) optronic masts.
  
• Capable of deploy up to eight special forces personnel while submerged.
  
• The submarines will be equipped with the US AN/BYG-1 Tactical Control Systems which currently equips the older Collins-class subs.
  
• Equipped with the latest stealth technology.
  

(1) These are the weapons carried by the French Barracuda. According to media the Shortfin Barracuda will carry US supplied weapons.

Sources:

How the French Barracuda submarine differs from the Collins class submarine Article Link. The Advertiser. 25 April 2016

Why the French submarine won the bid to replace the Collins-class. Conversation.com. April 25, 2016.

Shortfin Barracuda video. DCNS Australia

Edited to add information in a more enjoyable format.

 

[Humphrey Bogart]

From the South Australian "Advertiser" newspaper some details on the Barracuda's capabilities:

Article Link. Appears link has disappeared!!

Even though they're diesel boats.  12 state of the art subs is nothing to stick our noses up at.  The Aussie purchase of armed UAVs, helicopter carriers, attack helicopters, additional strategic airlift, new fighter aircraft and now these subs give the Aussies some real punch. 

They're becoming a serious military power and heading in the opposite direction of us.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Meanwhile people are saying we can't afford 2 Mistrials, I just point to the Aussies and ask them to explain.

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

Colin, the military can have as many "mistrials" as it wants so long as there is no discipline breakdown.  ;D



Damn that autocorrect !!!