Sunday, March 18, 2012  Two Submarine Designs for the Australian
Navy  The Australian Defence Department's Future Submarine
Project (SEA 1000), envisions a vessel larger and more capable
than the current Collins Class submarines. Political
considerations would favour construction of the submarines in
Australia. However, the Collins class submarines proved beyond
the capabilities of Australian industry and a larger more
complex conventional submarine may be beyond the capabilities of
even an experienced overseas shipyard. The only technically
viable option to meet the requirements as currently set down
would be a nuclear powered submarine from an established US or
European manufacturer. However, nuclear power would create
considerable domestic and international political controversy
for Australia. Also it would be difficult for the Austrlaian
navy to recruit, train and pay for the large crew needed for
nuclear submarine.  One alternative would be to build two
different classes of submarine to less demanding re