I had a sit down discussion with Andrew D a few months back re japanese subs and options going forward re them - it was a healthy discussion even though we had some technical disagreements re the potential to mod them for RANASSAIL said:The future submarine project: one step, two step
I've just read the linked article by Mark Thompson and Andrew Davies which discusses how we should deal with the SEA 1000 CEP results.
Even though they condemn the lack of utility in the process, the conclusion they reach makes sense to me, which is words to the effect that - we must decide whether we want a strategic partner or an industrial partner in the submarine process. If the answer is strategic, then cut to the core, stop faffing around and get on with finessing the Japanese submission and build it.
If there was a like button for ASPI articles I would have used it.
one of the things that all these state politicians and journos who've been courted and feted by the euro sub builders is the fact that the oyashios/soryu's have the highest availability rate of any conventional sub anywhere - and in fact are a challenger to nuke availability rates - it kind of helps when you have an actual sub to sell rather than a glossy powerpoint option yet to be realised in real steel
kind of made me smile when I saw the puff piece on the soryus the other day - all the things we discussed in here re their advantages about 12 months ago were cropping up as though they were a new found secret that the journo had discovered.
maybe they should start trawling forums like this - although that won't give you a sea jolly so would be far less attractive ....
my ears bled when he was attempting to describe AIP