What you need to know: Australia, a key US military ally, has faced challenges in modernizing its navy, particularly its submarine fleet. In 2003, HMASDechaineuxa Collins-class submarine, nearly sank after a seawater pipe burst near its maximum submersible depth, exposing significant design and operational flaws.

– The incident highlighted the need for better investment in submarine capabilities. The Collins class faced several problems, including high operational costs and technical challenges.

-Today, Australia is part of the AUKUS agreement with the US and UK to develop nuclear-powered submarines, aimed at strengthening its naval power in the Indo-Pacific and deterring potential adversaries such as China. The Dechaineux the incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of adequate investment in national defense assets.

HMAS Dechaineux: The submarine near disaster that shaped Australia’s naval future

Australia is one of the most important military partners for the United States. It is a continental-sized nation-state with a common Anglosphere culture and tradition. In addition, its geography gives it the potential to become a powerful regional navy.

However, there was a period of time when the Australian Navy he struggled following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. Every westerner the nation did that. But Australia let itself go especially when it came to naval matters.

Things have become especially complicated in the post-Cold War era because, like so many Western nations, Australia’s leaders – both left and right – have allowed themselves to become completely reliant on China for trade. He took shocking events of the COVID-19 pandemic to shake Canberra out of China complacency.

Today, Australia is experiencing a renaissance not only in its sense of nationalism, but also in its desire to modernize its military, particularly its navy, to better deter foreign adversaries (such as China).

But there have been immense growing pains over the years.

One of the most painful experiences for the Australian Navy comes from 2003. At that time, HMAS Dechaineux, one from Australia Collins class submarinessuffered a major flooding incident.

The Dechaineux

Named after Captain Emile Dechaineux, HMAS Dechaineux was among the largest conventionally powered submarines in the world. It was launched as part of Canberra’s bid to modernize Australia’s submarine force.

Unfortunately, collins-class submarines were affected by multiple operational and technical issues challenge from their beginning. To overcome these problems, the Australian Ministry of Defense instituted a “recovery” program for sick people. collins– submarine class.

At the time, Australia was reversing its ageing Oberon class submarines. So they had to get it collins-subs right class. Therefore, the “fast track” program intended to do collins– class of more reliable submarines.

The program obviously didn’t work out as planned.

INCIDENT

On 12 February 2003, HMAS Dechaineux was operating close to the maximum safe submersible depth off Western Australia when a seawater pipe on board exploded. High-pressure seawater flooded into the lower chamber of the machines. This was a significant crisis for the submarine as it was underway.

If the flood had not been stopped twenty more seconds the submarine could have sunk below its maximum operational depth and been lost with all hands.

It would have been bad enough if Dechanieux the disaster was an isolated event. It wasn’t. The collinsThe class submarines had numerous construction problems, high operational costs and design flaws. TheDechanieuxthe incident only added to the narrative thatcollins-class submarines were not worth the money Australia invested in them.

context

Today, the Australians entered into a nuclear submarine construction alliance with the United States and the United Kingdom (AUKUS). Canberra hopes this will put their submarine force at the fore for the Indo-Pacific. Both Washington and London believe Australia will become a nuclear-powered submarine powerhouse that will deter China’s rise in the region.

But the oneDechanieux the fiasco serves as an important reminder of what happens when a nation does not invest adequately in its submarine force—and what if one were to be lost, how damaging such an event would be to that nation’s readiness.

Experience and expertise of the author: Brandon J. Weichert

Brandon J. Weicherta national security of national interest analystis a former congressional staffer and geopolitical analyst who is a contributor to The Washington Times, Asia Times, and The-Pipeline. He is the author of Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His next book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine, is out October 22 from Encounter Books. Weichert can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.

All images are Creative Commons or Shutterstock.

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