Japan's military buildup

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Originally Posted by jc109

I agree with both of you, and would love to see our shipbuilding industry survive. I just hate hearing that as the first thing out of pollies' mouths. Lives and strategic interests before jobs.

Bob, as far as having someone turn off the tap goes, the last six boats aren't immune from that anyway. The new lot won't be either. It's always a risk for non-super powers but for a smart operator it's a calculated one. How much of the critical equipment in our Aussie built boats do you believe is ours? How much of the IP? What software? Weaponry? Any monkey can build a boat. If the rest of the process was easy the Columbians would do more than run drugs in them. Okay, I exaggerate but you get the point.

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Good point, I found this, a long read, but an interesting one. For me, especially the bit about the Swedish welding not up to scratch. The Australian welding was much better [ on the pressure hulls] Bob



Collins-class submarine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bloody hell Bob i jump on here for a quick look then i find one of your threads then i get stuck for the next hour you bastard :D

Another great read if you've got the time:

http://books.google.com.au/books/abo...wC&redir_esc=y

BTW, you'll get a glimpse of me on the cover.

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Originally Posted by bob10

Good point, I found this, a long read, but an interesting one. For me, especially the bit about the Swedish welding not up to scratch. The Australian welding was much better [ on the pressure hulls] Bob

Collins-class submarine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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I have a couple of Land Rover enthusiast friends who are both A class welders certified for welding pressure vessels. They applied for work on the Australian Submarine Corporation and said the process was amazing. They had to go for induction training and then undertake trial welds which were all then x-rayed. Each weld had to be perfect. The Corporation only took the best of the best welders who applied.

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Originally Posted by jc109

Another great read if you've got the time:

The Collins Class Submarine Story: Steel, Spies and Spin - Peter Yule, Derek Woolner - Google Books

BTW, you'll get a glimpse of me on the cover.

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Awesome read mate good stuff. They are a big leap forward over the old Oxley boats:)

I was reading somewhere, ABC News maybe, that the Collins were making great progress with availability & serviceability & that due to this the Government may delay the procurement of new subs or use a combination of the Collins with a new sub.
I don't see why we sell, or give away, our old military hardware? Would it be that difficult to wrap some F111's in plastic & store them somewhere in case we need them down the track.
Jonesfam

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Originally Posted by jc109

Another great read if you've got the time:

The Collins Class Submarine Story: Steel, Spies and Spin - Peter Yule, Derek Woolner - Google Books

BTW, you'll get a glimpse of me on the cover.

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Dont suppose you remember a bloke nicknamed "Popeye" ? (serious question)

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Originally Posted by jonesfam

I don't see why we sell, or give away, our old military hardware? Would it be that difficult to wrap some F111's in plastic & store them somewhere in case we need them down the track.
Jonesfam

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We can't do that because of the terms of the contract.

Similar thing with the old Leopard tanks.

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Originally Posted by Tombie

Dont suppose you remember a bloke nicknamed "Popeye" ? (serious question)

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Doesn't ring a bell, but I may have met him at some point.

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Originally Posted by jonesfam

I was reading somewhere, ABC News maybe, that the Collins were making great progress with availability & serviceability & that due to this the Government may delay the procurement of new subs or use a combination of the Collins with a new sub.
I don't see why we sell, or give away, our old military hardware? Would it be that difficult to wrap some F111's in plastic & store them somewhere in case we need them down the track.
Jonesfam

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For many years the biggest issue has been manpower. Then comes lack of training in perishable skills due to platform availability.

I'd be surprised if the current level of serviceability was prompting an extension of their service life. It ain't that great (from what I gather these days). The real fear is probably what we have been forecasting for a while. Namely too few people to man too many boats and a gap between the two classes leaving personnel to get itchy feet or go stale. They need a smooth transition or there will be a lot of wasted effort and money.

Again, don't get me wrong. They're a great boat and by far the best in their class when fully operational. Or at least they were when I was in. Lack of funding and a long period of political lip service has gutted what had eventually become almost unbeatable.