Submarines with conventional armaments and nuclear-powered engines—and the associated infrastructure—will receive $53 billion to $63 billion (US$34 billion to US$41 billion) over the next decade, the Australian government says.
The infrastructure is primarily a nuclear-powered submarine operating base in Western Australia.
Australia’s long-range naval capability is a particular focus of the National Defence Strategy.
Announcing the latest strategy last week, Defence Minister Richard Marles said it was about “projecting” as opposed to merely defending, the country. It also pivoted from a strategy of deterrence to one of denial.
Deterrence relies on the threat of reprisal to discourage an opponent from pursuing a certain course of action; denial works by putting the opponent’s objective out of reach, regardless of whether they choose to pursue it. During a conflict, a denial strategy might involve destroying an opponent’s key military assets.
An additional $51 billion to $69 billion will fund maritime capabilities for sea denial. Additionally, a need for more “localised sea control operations” means the Navy’s surface combatant fleet will expand, including 36 MH‑60R Romeo helicopters, costing $2.4 billion to $2.7 billion, which support additional major vessels.
These have both anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities and are equipped with torpedoes, air-to-ground missiles and rockets, and crew-operated guns.
The Navy’s long-range strike capabilities will be enhanced by acquiring the Tomahawk weapon system from the United States.
Sea Sparrow Missiles
Defence also intends to acquire the next-generation Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile Block II and SM-2 and SM-6 missiles will also be acquired for the Hobart-class destroyers, Hunter-class frigates, and general-purpose frigates.These missiles are multi-purpose medium-range, surface-to-air interceptors . They’re designed to counter high-speed anti-ship cruise missiles, low-velocity air threats like drones and helicopters, and high-speed manoeuvrable surface threats such as small boats.
Autonomous lethal vehicles also receive a substantial investment, of between $5.2 billion and $7.2 billion. Defence says these will be “dedicated to subsea warfare capabilities” and that some may be obtained through AUKUS Pillar II Advanced Capabilities.
Pillar II is the non-nuclear component of the AUKUS pact, primarily involving sharing the latest technology, including defence and space.
They’re described as “large and extra‑large uncrewed and autonomous underwater vehicles” which would be used to “undertake stealth missions in high‑risk environments.”
The Navy will also add to its fleet of Bluebottle remotely piloted unmanned surface vessels, which are manufactured by Australia-based marine technology provider Ocius Technology and used for persistent maritime surveillance.
The company has been making these for the Navy since it won the 2015 Capability and Technology Demonstrator programme contract to develop an unmanned surface vessel with autonomous anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability.
Between $4 billion and $5 billion will be spent on upgrading and sustaining the current fleet of six Collins-class submarines, which underpin the transition to the new AUKUS submarines.
Additional funding for maritime capabilities includes about $12 billion to $15 billion for sea-based strike, $2 billion to $3 billion for elements of the electronic warfare capabilities, and $810 million to $910 million for maritime command systems.
These investments will allow the Navy to hold targets at risk for longer ranges, providing greater capacity to target adversary aircraft and missiles.
