ADF – Submarines
A recent press release states that Australia now has 3 operational submarines, with crews, available for “Operations”. Really!! The press release did not define the current ADF definition of “Operational” perhaps it’s -
- Surface operations only OR
- No submergence below 50 metres OR for more than 60 minutes
Who knows!!! Of the six built at least one and possibly two will never be fully operational (capable of going to war). The ADF’s inability to keep two submarines fully operational at any given time is of great concern. More parked, broken, defence equipment.
The credibility of ADF management is very much in question. Far too much equipment is delayed, not working as expected, faulty. With the home grown list of ADF equipment/projects that are compromised in some way or have exploded in cost or actually failed and /or failed to work growing. The RAAF even leases commercial in flight refuelling capabilities so that it can fly it’s fighters any real distance. Yep the KC30′s are yet to actually show any signs of arriving. “Wedgetail” is suffering from blurred vision, but has established that it can take flight and land. The F-35 continues to make promises and fulfils none, except that it is going to be very very costly when the price is actually worked out and not the subject of yet another “promise”.
My real concern is with those that are expected to do the job. There is no doubt, in my mind, that close to home, the submarines are perhaps not as “confidence inspiring” to sail in as they should be. The Patrol boats are being over worked, along with the crews, in Australia’s appalling efforts at “border protection”. A phone call announcing your illegal arrival is indicative of poor border protection.
Our men and women posted overseas as “peace keepers” and in “combat zones” are protected from public scrutiny, as to equipment levels and working conditions, under the guise of “operational requirements” and secrecy. Much of this is unnecessary and designed to stop genuine and concerned scrutiny of the treatment of our “working military”.
Government sits on its hands. Not game to take the ADF “by the throat” and “give it a good shake”. Concerned that National Security may be compromised and that Government should not interfere with the military.
“National Security” is compromised. Please feel free to interfere.
As a tax payer I am over the moon as I watch millions to billions being wasted on or promised to, yet unpriced/unproved equipment. It’s “Pie in the Sky” stuff. Trouble is it’s yours and my “pie” and the “sky” does not seem to have any limits. Concepts of reality and real “National Security” needs have escaped and been forgotten. A dream is being lived. It needs to come to an end and be replaced by a large dose of reality.
