Comments by "Tony Wilson" (@tonywilson4713) on "Thomas Markle interview backfires as Seven is forced to apologise | Media Watch" video.

  1. That's absolutely right. I'm an engineer and without any doubt when you consider the technical functionality the nuclear power option should have always been on the table. Over 10 years ago when the subs were first being mentioned I happened to be working with an American electrician who had been in the US Navy as a nuclear power plant operator on aircraft carriers. He explained a few things. We have wide open deep water territory which is where nuclear subs are simply work better. The only places where diesel electric subs (which are typically smaller) have any advantage is in Littoral waters (close to shore) where its noisy and their size makes them viable. If you actually have a look at the original French deal it was never really viable and made no sense in 2 key areas. Quick note the French Sub offered from DCNS is the Shortfin Barracuda which is the non-nuclear powered version of the Barracuda which the French Navy has. FIRST - The Collins class has basic crew of 42 and the Shortfin Barracuda requires 60. We have only been able to bring a 4th out of 6 Collins into active service because the RAN took a Frigate out of service. The real issue (that's not EVER been discussed) was how did the RAN intend to crew these 12 submarines when they can barely crew 4 now. This is going to be an ever bigger issue with the Brits and Yanks because despite the fact the British Astute and American Virginia class subs being of similar size and purpose to the Barracuda they both have bigger crews (Astute 98, Virginia 135) making them even less viable. SECOND - The actual cost per sub. The French Navy paid just over $2 Billion AUD for their nuclear powered Barracudas and yet DCNS was asking Australia to pay $7.5Billion AUD for each of the non-nuclear powered Shortfin Barracudas. Imagine walking into a car dealer who offers a Renault or Peugeot for $75,000 when YOU KNOW he's selling the same car with the upgraded engine to others for $20,000. Any reasonable person tells the salesman to "** off" and walks out the door. On the diplomatic side - we should have asked DCNS for the price on nuclear powered Barracudas and if they had said anything over $2.5Billion each ($30 Billion all up) we walk. There's no secret to what these subs cost its all available on public platforms like Wikipedia. What has to happen without any doubt is that we (the Australian people) are presented with a plan on how we will train and crew these subs and MOST importantly deal with them at the end of life. Whether its 8 or 12 or some other number in 40 years time we will have a bunch of decommissioned nuclear reactors to deal with. BEFORE WE START THIS we need to know what we are going to do with those reactors.
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