Some useful forward looking and thinking here Syd.

And just the sort of future vision missing in the non military people making all the funding decisions?

Even so we need to develop and build all that we can here and that has to include jet powered drones; nuclear powered Subs; that become the underwater aircraft carriers of the sea, except they won't be carrying aircraft, just a sizable fleet of venturi powered (stronger than steel) acrylic mini subs, that fly through the water, allowing planners to minimize casualties while maximizing effect.

Because there's no props there's no giveaway cavitation and because the command station is see through bullet proof acrylics, able to literally eyeball a hostile and slip in behind to cripple it with a few well placed underwater capable rockets that knock out props and rudder!

And all able to be manufactured here using local or imported world beating expertise!

Similarly, we can make very fast missile launching patrol boats as good as you can buy anywhere, and indeed, use them as launch platforms for (sacrificial) drones.

We've been able to make smart bombs here for over a decade, and one well placed one might be enough to sink a hostile missile launching battle ship, or aircraft carrier.

Miniaturization and remote control will virtually allow us to rip the arms off of any invading hostile;if we ever need to, and improved self defense forward planning self actuating independence; and adequate effectual resourcing and rearming capabilities right here, could make us unbeatable and far too costly a prize, in any conventional action!?
Rhrosty.

If we build it here, we can use the usual multiplier effect to boost our own economy by at least 2.5 times any capital outlay. And money spent on R+D is never ever wasted, given the possible myriad spinoffs

G'day Syd

What these long haired no-hopers need is discipline and a good, clean, small war.

Like the Falklands maybe. Just bring back National Service and teach em respect, how to shoot n salute.

Take this idea for the RAAF and Navy http://gentleseas.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/us-destroyer-recklessly-sails-too-close.html

Poida

Syd continues to prattle on making a fool of himself. Is there nothing he doesn't feel qualified to comment on.

An excellent article Syd

With some sensible things to say about the Future Submarine program, steel and the Collins.

Also see http://gentleseas.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/collins-midlife-upgradeextension.html

Regards

Pete
Submarine Matters

Excellent piece. Defence embodies all the dysfunctional self-serving aspects of Australian politics:

- We have no public debate about the purpose of our defence forces.

- Defence Ministers usually know little about the topic and are given a brief to keep controversy or debate out of the newspapers.

- The civilian population is not engaged in planning for the defence of Australia - unlike New Zealand which actually has a plan for using civilian personnel and infrastructure in the event of a threat to national security.

- The press gallery thinks defence expenditure exists for the purpose of providing jobs in electorally sensitive parts of Australia.

- The US Alliance is embraced by both sides of politics as a crutch on which to lean so we that don't have to have serious public debate about defence.

All this has remained the same for about five decades.

Vern Hughes
vern@civilsociety.org.au