Here and above is Youtube recorded address by Captain Christopher "Chris" Skinner RAN (Retired) concerning "Nuclear Powered Submarines and other AUKUS technologies for the [Australian Defence Force] ADF." This authoritative and concise presentation was hosted by the Royal United Services Institute of New South Wales, on January 25, 2022.
Up to 19:35 into the Youtube Chris Skinner describes AI, LDUUVs and other AUKUS aggreement technologies.
19:35 Chris Skinner begins to discuss the issues and advantages of SSNs.
45:45 - Part of the training of nuclear propulsion scientists, engineers (including SSN engineers) requires a land based "light" [ie. miniature] nuclear propulsion reactor. Australia's small "OPAL" reactor at Lucas Heights, Sydney, has the wrong characteristics. Australia will need a land based reactor of the type that will actually go into its future SSNs.
49:35 Chris Skinner displays the SSNs for Australia "Nuclear Propulsion Roadmap" [Pete would be most grateful for an Internet copy of the Table to publish] which requires:
- the Collins Life of Type Extension (LOTE) rebuilds to begin 2026
- the first Australian "SSN01" to begin building in 2030, and
- the simultaneous lease of 3 US or UK SSNs by 2036.
Jumping forward in the Youtube
55:10 Question from the floor to Chris Skinner: “You mentioned leasing [nuclear subs] from the UK and US with their own actual crew. Would [those leased nuclear subs] be HMAS, HMS or USS?
55:28 Chris Skinner “No they’d by USS and HMS. They’d be commissioned boats of that country, which we are paying for them to base in Western Australia [Australia’s main submarine base at HMAS Stirling aka Fleet Base West, just south of Perth] and to offer training billets in those submarines for Australian submariners to achieve the qualifications we need for our own nuclear submarines.
Jumping back in the Youtube
51:45 Chris Skinner says:
“If, as I think we will, go with the UK Astute class” “It figured, by the way pretty heavily, [in the AUKMIN Talks Joint Statement January 21, 2022 see paragraphs 5 and 6]. Its right up front in the Joint Ministerial Statement."
"The Astute has a number of advantages. Its smaller crew. It runs to a UK culture which the Australian Navy still follows etc.
We expect that the UK would build the reactor and the propulsion plant. That’s all the after part of the submarine.
The US would build the Combat System gear and probably why not get Lockheed Martin to rollover from the Attack-class to building these,
and we put it all together and assemble it in South Australia.
That’s doable."
56:04 Chris Skinner “I’m not insisting on Chatham House Rules”
1:01 Chris Skinner words to the effect - extra diesel submarines for Australia (in addition to the Collins LOTE process) are a distraction which has been ruled out at the highest levels in Canberra. We have other ways of dealing with the force structure. [Chris may be implying part interim Australian use of LDUUVs, ASW surface ships and ASW aircraft...to fill any perceived submarine gap.]
1:04:07 Question from the floor to Chris Skinner: What of “the media reporting that the US and the US don’t have nuclear submarines to lease”
Chrs Skinner response to the effect Money, time and strategic need would make it possible. The SSN purchase process is not determined by elections but money to submarine building companies like BAE, talks.
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In much more detail Here is the RUSI NSW's "INSTITUTE PROCEEDINGS [of Chris Skinner's address [PDF 4 pages] The Significance of the Tri-Partite AUKUS Agreement A paper based on a presentation to the Institute in Sydney on 25 January 2022 by Captain Christopher Skinner, RAN (Retired).