SSN-AUKUS: Australia's Emergence as a Major Maritime Power of the 21st Century

Australia's acquisition of a nuclear powered attack submarine is undoubtedly the most significant investment in the nation's defence since federation. With the aid of Canberra's oldest and closest friends, the Royal Australian Navy will acquire 8, world leading SSNs. This is an undersea warfighting capability of such consequence it alone will make Australia one of the worlds major naval powers. The RAN's future submarine force will prowl the worlds oceans, threatening sea lines of communication and enemy assets across entire ocean basins, and allowing the ADF to project meaningful levels of power at intercontinental distances. But why would Australia, a peaceful democracy in the corner of the world, be investing in such a potent, blue water navy? This historic military investment is not aimed at establishing Australia's place within the global order, nor is it aimed at giving Canberra the trappings of a great power. The simple reality is Australia's hand is being forced; the strategic environment in which the nation exists is the most dangerous it has been since the second world war. A great naval power has risen in East Asia, one whose intentions are becoming more and more opaque. As impressive as Australia's future SSN force is, the question remains as to whether it will be enough to meet the formidable challenge the nation faces over the coming decades, or indeed whether the threat will manifest before we even see a nuclear submarine flying the white ensign.

0:00 AUKUS Emerges
7:12 A most dangerous strategic environment
20:28 Submarines, military asymmetry and sea denial
37:21 The nuclear requirement
1:03:04 SSN-AUKUS and the Anglo-Australian strategic partnership
1:32:30 A Virginian in Australia
1:52:20 Making up for lost time; SRF West and the Collins

[anthonylaiferrario]

My only complaint is that I’m super addicted to your modern Australian military content and prefer it to the WW2 content 😂😂😂

[regarded]

This should be required viewing before giving opinions on AUKUS. So many questions answered in just over 2 hours. Great video.

[Samson]

I'd been waiting for someone to do a long-form video just like this. Super well done. Really hammers home the slam dunk advantage of nuclear powered subs over conventional and shows how, given the distances between Australia and the places where its sub forces would need to be employed, nuclear was Australia's only sensible option. I'm also grateful that hypohysterical pointed out the host of limitations imposed on the US carrier in the war game in which the Swedish sub, the Gotland, "sunk" the carrier. I'd heard the tale over and over again but not until now had I heard about all of the limitations imposed on the carrier, limitations that made the war game unrealistic and caused everyone who heard the tale to believe that US carriers are more vulnerable to conventional subs than they are.

[PaulA]

I was a submariner on the Oberon boats of the 1980’s. When it came to exercises we had to send up flare to left the surface ship know exactly where we were. During RIMPAC 1984, Australia’s two submarines were part of a fleet against the U.S. our submarines were the only vessels from our to survive the games. Oxley in fact sailed into Pearl Harbour flying the skull and crossbones.

[brds_arent_real]

I'd love to watch the classified black and orange themed powerpoint presentation, that convinced the Australian govt to do this

[sholsy]

As an American interested in the modern military doctrines of other countries I appreciate your video’s immensely thank you and keep up the good work!

[Trrente]

I never realised that Ssn are china's bane in a actual conflict, they have a lot of shipping and as large as their surface navy may be, ww2 proved that you cant just simply escort all the naval traffic. Really cool and informative video

[solreaver]

About aukus I think people are getting hung up on the subs (a big deal for sure) but ignoring the broader meaning of this pact. I foresee australia becoming the central hub for uk and usa military projection in the region. Something they were supposedly already discussing with France prior to aukus. I foresee combined military production, research and development between the 3 nations supporting each other in every aspect of defence in the aisian region. Research, tech, army, navy and airforce

[alexelsworthy]

It's been too long since the last deep dive! Great to see you putting out the quality content again

[ljbled]

I’ve been waiting weeks for your next video! Love your content!!! Please never stop

[peanut]

Keep up the great work being the best youtuber out there! (BTW make a Patreon or the YouTube member thing so you can get the coin you deserve from making these amazing videos!)

[nathansyoutubeaccount]

BABE WAKE, A NEW 2 HOUR DOCUMENTARY ON NAVAL POLICY JUST DROPPED.

Love your stuff!

[stevewhite]

CCP: we want to live peacefully with Australia

Also CCP (April 2020): Australia is like dirty gum stuck to the bottom of China's shoe

[jimbo]

I remember watching a interview on Australian edition of 60 minutes with Mel Gibson in 1987 warning us about western countries helping the rise of China.
Nearly all his predictions came true.

[topiasr]

This was an incredible video.. Thanks for your efforts! Excellent work!

[davew]

Thanks for another exceptional and contemporary video. I'm 49 this year, and it's a little boggling that the last of class of the AUKUS submarines will be delivered as I die of old age. If I'm fortunate.

[exodusz]

Glad to see that Aussie/US/UK foreign policy is continuing in the right direction! AUKUS seems to be a bold move and I sincerely hope that our current and future leaders can maintain this level of cooperation

[nikdim]

Think of it as Australia getting the tools to defend from Imperial Japan years before the later actually launched its Pacific conquest campaign in WWII;

[MarkGoding]

Always worth the wait when you put out a vid mate. Thanks the the deep dive into the AUKUS program.

[alucardofficial]

The quality of this video is insane. Extremely well done mate