AUKUS

[spoz]

I didn't say Trump was a idiot but I did say Hegseth was a fool. Trump may or may not be an idiot but he is a felon, a pathological liar, bully, and all-around A-H. His MAGA base isn't happy with him at the moment over the Epstein affair so trashing AUKUS for enhancing American job prospects (albeit this would be BS) might be a means to pacify the MAGA crowd. All his actions are for what's best for him, not America or the rest of the world for that matter.

Regarding AUKUS, one has to wonder if the USN sees AUKUS as a threat to obtaining delivery on their subs.

Not from what I’m hearing - they appear to see it as a chance to get the build rate up to at least a certain 2, and hopefully 2.5, per year. Given the long history of shared endeavours by the two Navies they’re not too worried by a short term loss of what they believe wii be, in effect only one boat but which will give them a longer term gain. They see that they can hand off a bunch more tasks to an SSN based Australian submarine force compared to what a conventional force could take on.

 

[seaspear]

One of the issues delaying the production rate of the Virginia class is shortage of skilled workers why not develop a pathway for Australian workers who have those skills to be involved most would come back when the AUKUS class is ready to be commenced here

Shipbuilding to Citizenship: solving the US skills shortage with immigration | The Strategist

Skill-based immigration can help the United States fill its severe shortage of shipbuilding workers, for both naval and civilian construction. Bolstering the labour pool would help the US and its allies match the Chinese maritime ...

www.aspistrategist.org.au

 

[John Fedup]

Not from what I’m hearing - they appear to see it as a chance to get the build rate up to at least a certain 2, and hopefully 2.5, per year. Given the long history of shared endeavours by the two Navies they’re not too worried by a short term loss of what they believe wii be, in effect only one boat but which will give them a longer term gain. They see that they can hand off a bunch more tasks to an SSN based Australian submarine force compared to what a conventional force could take on.

Some in the USN might see AUKUS as a path to increased sub production and all would agree the future Australian AUKUS SSNs could take on significant duties in the far east. However, there is likely many in the USN (submarine branch) that don't believe AUKUS SSNs will arrive fast enough and the program could be a drain on resources for the Virginia class production. Understandable given the shipyard problems wrt production and maintenance. The Columbia delay is another worry. Also, not really sure about the USN's view on their future SSN. Will it be AUKUS, a hybrid AUKUS or will it be yet another SSN design.

 

[John Fedup]

I'm not in front of a computer right now. Has there been any increase in shipbuilding budget and new ship orders beyond standing orders in FY25?

Financial investments by the US and Australia are underway for enhancing US sub production and the UK is adding money into AUKUS as well. Nevertheless, as others have commented on, skilled tradespeople are in short supply, especially for submarines. This will take time, something that the Pacific region may not have enough of.