(Cartoon courtesy Eureka Street)
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The UK has a poor SSN production and availability record that bodes ill for the UK designing and part building SSN-AUKUS’s for Australia in the 2040s. The UK’s 6 SSNs (5 Astutesand 1 Trafalgar) are reportedly stuck in dock - a dangerous situation of neglect and miscalculation.
The combination of an inefficient UK SSN build sector and Australia having probably the most inefficient shipbuilding base worldwide will be too costly for even the loudest Osborne spruiker to flog.
This is on top of likely US unwillingness to provide Virginias to Australia in the 2030s due to the USN having too few SSNseven for its own use.