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https://theconversation.com/australias-plan-to-protect-its-trade-in-war-is-flawed-we-cant-do-it-with-nuclear-submarines-256557>
"If war breaks out someday between the United States and China, one of the
major concerns for Australia is the impact on its trade.
Our trade routes are long and exposed. Every year, thousands of merchant ships
— bulk carriers, tankers, container ships and other types — visit Australian
ports to deliver imported goods and pick up exports for delivery at distant
ports.
When a cargo ship of petroleum leaves the Persian Gulf for refining in East
Asia, then sails for Australia, the total trip is approximately 20,000
kilometres. The ship passes through lonely stretches of sea and numerous choke
points, such as the Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia, often within range of
missiles and other weapons.
Such attacks could come from Chinese ships in the event of a war, or as we’ve
seen in the Middle East with the Houthi rebels, they could also come from
militants seeking to disrupt global shipping.
Australia’s current defence strategy cites the security of our “sea lines of
communication and maritime trade” as a priority. The aim is to prevent an
adversary from cutting off critical supplies to our continent in a war.
To achieve this, the government has embarked on the lengthy process of
expanding the Royal Australian Navy surface and sub-surface fleet, including
the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines.
As I explain in my forthcoming book,
The Big Fix: Rebuilding Australia’s
National Security, the problem with the government’s maritime plan is that it
is built on a deeply flawed foundation and cannot deliver what it promises."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
