Australia Faces Pressure on Submarine Decision

Australia’s government came under fresh pressure Wednesday to reject Japanese submarines as the spearhead for a new undersea fleet, with one of the country’s top security think-tanks urging consideration of a homegrown naval deterrent.

As newly appointed Defense Minister Kevin Andrews prepared to inspect government-owned shipbuilder ASC this week ahead of a decision on whether to hold a tender competition for a A$25 billion fleet of new conventional submarines, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said the possible acquisition of Japanese submarines by Australia raised significant challenges.

Japan’s 4,000-ton Soryu-class submarine “appears to have less payload, endurance and mobility” than Australia’s current Collins-class submarines, said the government-backed institute, which provides independent defense advice and to cabinet ministers and the military.

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