Darwin submarine base 'won't happen', Australian Defence Association chief Neil James says
A defence expert is scoffing at suggestions Darwin will be home to a submarine base, saying the harbour is unsuitable and the needed local engineering support is not there.
Executive director of the Australian Defence Association, Neil James, said a submarine base needed to be located in an area where there was immediate access to oceanic deep water, preferably with two entrances.
But Darwin's harbour that is fringed in mangroves, has only one entrance, is subjected to large tides and is a long way from deep water.
"It won't happen. The submarines will continue to be based in the south because that is the only place where there are suitable harbours to base submarines," Mr James said.
He said the engineering support needed for a submarine base was also to some extent not available in Darwin.
News Corp on Monday reported that the next generation of Australian submarines would be the Soryu Class made in Japan and most likely based in Darwin.
Mr James agreed Australia's next generation of submarines were likely to be the Soryu Class and said that because of the machine's limited range they would need a forward base in Northern Australia.
"It is likely though that there will be a forward deployment facility somewhere in Darwin so submarines can be refuelled before sailing further north," Mr James said.
He said that diesel-electric submarines of the type Australia used were only made commercially in Russia, Japan and in Australia.
Australia was unlikely to purchase a Russian submarine and it was getting expensive to buy the locally made submarines, leaving the Japanese version as the best option, Mr James said.
"Unless you go for nuclear-powered submarines like the British or the French or the Americans, if you want a long-range submarine then the Japanese option is firming up," he said.
