Part 7/10:
The American Navy’s ongoing efforts to double production capacity—currently at about 1.2 submarines per year, aiming for 2.4—pose a challenge. This increase involves significant efficiency improvements and resource allocation, which could impact the availability of submarines for Australia.
- What are the strategic implications of a larger U.S. submarine fleet?
Bazulo points out that by the mid-century, Australia will have about eight nuclear submarines, while the U.S. aims for approximately 66, a figure that, when adjusted for population size, indicates a substantial capability advantage. The critical concern is whether the U.S. will view Orcus as a joint-use asset or an autonomous capability, with the latter potentially limiting strategic cooperation.