The need for submarines

March 31, 2025

Peter Briggs presents a strong case for the value and advantage of nuclear submarines over conventional submarines as well as their advantages for an island nation. However the article needs to be read in the context of what is critical to the security of this country and how best to address that.

The greatest immediate threat to our security is the impact of global warming and Australia’s defence resources should be focused on that. Nuclear submarines are not likely to be part of Australia’s naval defence fleet until the 2040s, if ever. Meanwhile, we face extreme weather events which will affect the lives of the human race and we must work with other countries to both reduce carbon emissions and increase resilience to the impacts of these disasters.

The resources committed to procuring nuclear submarines (AUKUS) are a shocking waste given the critical situation we face with climate change, let alone our other needs in health, education and environmental protection. Through our efforts to work with other countries to address the threat of climate change, we will also be using the advantage of diplomacy in maintaining peace on this planet.