Why Does Australia Need Nuclear Submarines? The Answer is WWII! | What's Going on With Shipping?

The History Behind Why AUKUS.

What's Going on With Shipping?
September 24, 2021

On this episode of What's Going on With Shipping, Sal Mercogliano discusses the proposed acquisition of nuclear submarines by the Royal Australian Navy and the reason behind why Australia needs such vessels.

Australia Needs Nuclear Sub for ‘Regional Superiority’ Defense Minister Says; France Recalls Ambassadors to U.S., Australia

00:00 Introduction
03:10 Global Trade
08:11 The Role of World War Two on AUKUS
15:20 China's Oceanic Strategy

Marine Traffic

THE FAR EAST AND PACIFIC, 1941

[burtonpenn]

I'm not an educated man but I like to learn about issues that effect the world in general and you have the talent to make what ever you cover understandable to me and I love that. I'm an old Viet Nam vet and that made me look at world affairs more seriously. thank you great job!

[carlbillingham]

G’day from Australia, thank you for posting such a well thought out discussion of the reasons behind Australia’s acquisition of nuclear submarines. It gave me a different perspective on why China are concerned about AUKUS. I’ll even forgive you for the upside down sub 😉

[karlbobthepirate]

Thank you sir for being one of the very few to remember the multinational submariners that served out of W.A. I used to maintain a small memorial at the swan docks slipway in Fremantle and the number of people sadly still on patrol deserve all the respect we can muster, and yeah I know they were pirates not angels, but unquestionably brave. Top episode so thanks again 😉👍🏴‍☠️

[JDHitchman]

IMO the Austrailian Navy should have had nuclear subs long ago.

[artistjoh]

March 2023 and we are just days away from the British and Australian Prime Minister's going to Washington for the big AUKUS announcement. This new alliance is huge and involves very large investment in manufacturing capability that will benefit all three nations. China should never have tried to push Australia around, but now they reap what they sowed.

[MaraudersWorld]

As an Aussie ... that was sick ... Especially under the current climate. Thank you.

[jamesgunn]

Great video, your comparison of SSNs and SSks speed and endurance absolutely nailed the main issue. A couple of other things - the bigger SSN has more space and can carry more weapons. When you run our of weapons your patrol is practiaclly over as you're defenceless if detected. Secondly, SSNs' space allows for more powerful sonars which can help to redress the sonar advantage of an SSK. However both Virginias and ASTUTEs are very quiet.

[vkpe]

Hahaha. I get it. I have served in the Royal Australian Navy. I sailed to Hawaii, in an RAN ship. I remember when we had to flip over; it was painful to flip at the equator AND the International Date Line, both going and returning. We regularly fly Air Force aircraft over the oceans, also, and they also fly upside-down when they get to Guam, Hawaii, etc. NOT!

[thsealord]

When the USN started using nuclear subs, the joke then was that the subs would only need to visit port when it was time for the crews to reenlist.

As an Aussie with a solid awareness of history, defense matters and international events, the AUKUS subs are absolutely the right move.

[Sandhoeflyerhome]

SSN for Australia about time. They are good people, a big hearted country .. well done from U.K.

[maxwalker]

As an Aussie I’m thankful to our British and American cousins for helping us defend ourselves

[johnbofarullguix]

the question is not why Australia needs nuc subs now? the question is why didn't Australia get nuc subs years ago.

[Ray]

Japan hesitated after the atomic bombs for days to surrender to the USA. Japan ultimately surrendered because Russia renounced their neutrality in the Pacific and declared war on Japan. Russia then attacked Manchuria, and were moving to attack the Japan mainland islands in the North with the aim of dividing Japan as they did Germany. Japan surrendered to the US to avoid this. USA was the better better option to live under than Russia. This is why there are islands in dispute now.

[Mrzx]

THIS IS MY CUP OF TEA LOVE THIS GREAT JOB

[bushmanbill]

Australia. UK and USA are all together as one. Australia has decided on investing into subs because that is what is beneficial to the greater picture for all involved. As we have done through history, we will stand together and fall together but no one will push us around or dictate to us. United we are.

[smileydave]

Let me tell you a short but very true story. 1983 at the Jungle training school in Australia. Siting around in the rain with a group of Private soldier mates. I asked a question "if you were the Minister for Defense how would you defend our country". After some discussion it was decided Facts : Australia is an Island all be it pretty big. So you have to get here. If you do get here, you continue to need getting here. Supplies etc. SO we decided defense was very simple. 1. Nuclear Subs a lot of them ( NO surface ships they are just floating paper weights). 2. Long range missile systems both Air to Air and Air to Surface. 4. Long range aircraft F111 and Fighter aircraft 3. A Small fully conventionally organized Army supplemented by 1 year national service for all men and Women. There it is simple and flexible for all contingencies. ONLY now 40 years later are the so military called experts slowly moving in this direction

[Dog.soldier]

A few points; Current RN/USN SSN plants never need to be refueled. Part of this agreement is basing agreements for RAF/USAF/RN/USN which brings refitting much closer by half finally the PRC is a hybrid economic system where investment and movement of money is much more restricted than a capitalist economy. Nice summary of IJ WW2 strategy

[philliplopez]

Im surprised this hasn't happened sooner. This will dramatically impact the security of some of the worlds busiest shipping lanes.

[tfsupp]

As an old merchant Marine Engineer i enjoy your channel & this great video, just a couple of points. The reason china is upset with australia is simply we asked for a independent review of the background and cause of civid19 and as Australia has never allowed china to bully it which they have tried many many times this was their responce. They thought we would cave if they effected us but as noted we dont allow bullies. We now dont need their trade as 95% of the market was made up with in 6 to 9 months selling to other markets that now had the opportunity. Wine is perhaps the only looser and china still cant power its self as that cant effectivly buy the quality steaming coal they need. In respect to our defence australia is one of the closest allys to the USA and the only one who has assisted the usa in every conflict it has had since ww2.
Our sub force is very effective and the only one that have sunk a USA air craft carrier and multiple support vessels during our regular war games, then on 2 other occasions we have got right into the inner circle for an effective kill even with the USA navey specifically looking for us testing new tech after the first shock sinking. I also understand unofficially one of our subs came right up to the US sub with in 50 feet and used internal music to announce their presence, bit of a shock that one. So there is a good chance we will use both kinds of subs. It also means we can defend our selves now but of course with the aggressive rise of china the expansion with the new sub is fantastic. Australias worry is the political decline of the USA over the last 3 administration (not taking sides) and the decline of its internal fabric and social adhesion, so in the long term we need to plan for the next 50 to 100 years.

[kenfowler]

because Morrison wanted divert attention from the other stuff that was going on. Our diesel boats were capable of protecting our northern ports.