Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead: Nuclear submarines are a game changer for Australia
Now AUKUS partners: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and US President Joe Biden meet during the G7 summit in Cornwall, England in June. Image: Adam Taylor / PMO
October 30, 2021
As the chief of the nuclear-powered submarine task force, I advise the government on the best way to acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for Australia. Nuclear submarines will fundamentally change Australia’s strategic personality in the maritime world.
They will enable us to endanger potential opponents from a greater distance and influence their calculation of the cost of threatening Australian interests. Nuclear powered submarines have superior properties to conventional submarines in terms of camouflage, speed, maneuverability, survivability and almost limitless endurance.
The 2020 strategic update in defense highlighted a rapid deterioration in the strategic environment of the Indo-Pacific region – the region of Australia.
The modernization of the military is happening at an unprecedented pace. Skills develop rapidly and their reach increases. As a result, our technological lead is shrinking.
In response, the government has committed to building a more capable military force that will enable us to shape the region’s future path to promote security and prosperity for all – Australians, our neighbors and partners.
This includes a fleet of nuclear powered submarines, the most technologically advanced underwater capability ever operated by the Royal Australian Navy.
Providing this ability to manage is a vital task – one that requires my absolute dedication and that I consider extremely important in your contribution to the defense of Australia. Carrying out a project of this magnitude is a national endeavor. We have to do this right – and for that we have to have the right people with the right skills in the right places.
Since the announcement of the AUKUS-expanded trilateral security partnership, the task force has grown in size, capacity and expertise. The interagency task force now comprises seven departments: Competency, Executive, International Politics and Agreements, Program Implementation and Industry, Security, Technology and Administration. We have recruited – and continue to recruit – the best and brightest minds in Australia to help bring about this historic ability.
Our people will be key to the success of the nuclear submarine program.
There has been much speculation about the nuclear submarine program since it was announced on September 16 – which boat design will be chosen? How much will it cost? When will construction start? How long it will take?
It is important to understand that acquiring a fleet of nuclear powered submarines is a multi-faceted undertaking and requires significant input from a wide range of stakeholders. It’s not an overnight task. Australia has never experienced a skill acquisition of this magnitude.
The 18-month intensive consultation that has already started is mandatory. It is a defined period of time that allows us to work out the key questions with experts from industry, academia and Australian nuclear organizations in order to make the government’s decision on the future nuclear submarine program.
What I can assure you is that this nuclear powered propulsion technology is safe. The nuclear propulsion system used by the UK and US has an enviable track record of safety and security. Their respective nuclear powered submarines have never experienced a reactor accident or a release of radioactivity that harmed humans or marine life.
Our AUKUS partners have set and maintained an exemplary safety record in the operation of their submarine nuclear reactors. Australia will ensure that it reproduces this safety record by leveraging both countries’ decades of experience as responsible administrators of this technology. Safety is our top priority.
In addition, the “atom” in nuclear submarines only refers to the boat’s power source. Australia will not try to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. We remain committed to our obligation under the Non-Proliferation Treaty not to acquire nuclear weapons.
Looking ahead to the next 18 months, the Task Force will work with our colleagues in the UK and US to deliver important results. We will create a framework for nuclear responsibility and safety and other policy requirements. We will define the workforce for nuclear powered submarines, including national and international education and training opportunities, and identify industry, security and infrastructure requirements.
We determine the timeframe, costs and supply needs – and select a submarine design.
The government has stated its intention to build these submarines in Adelaide. It does this with the support of a strong state defense industry. We can only move forward and contribute more to the stability, security and prosperity of our region if we commit to building a resilient, resilient and internationally competitive Australian defense industrial base.
This will boost Australia’s economy and create and maintain thousands of Australian jobs.
My focus is on quickly providing the government with an optimal route to acquire these nuclear powered submarines. We have to stay focused. We have to deliver. We must remain committed to our mission to defend Australia and its national interests in order to promote Australia’s security and prosperity for decades to come. This is mission success.
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Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead is chief of the nuclear-powered submarine task force.
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