In 2009, the Australian Government’s Defence White Paper announced that a class of 12 conventional submarines (SSKs) would be built. This Attack class submarine is a future class of submarines for the Royal Australian Navy based on the Shortfin Barracuda class proposal by French shipbuilder DCNS to replace the Collins class submarines. Here, however, the author advocates early consideration of all aspects of a transition to nuclear propulsion for Australia’s submarines, based on compelling strategic and submarine capability arguments. While a nuclear-powered submarine force would provide strat…
