On face value this seems like an insane waste of money.PM boosts defence budget by up to $25b before US visit
Sorry, it's from the AFR and paywalled, but by Phillip Coorey who is a good political reporter.
Aparently a big announcement is coming up on the Henderson precinct, possibly tomorrow, but definitely before the PM goes to the UN.
$25 billion into the facility over the next decade. $12 billion will be the front component and this is likely to be above the IIP program (so additional spending).
All part of demonstrating serious intent on defence spending prior to meeting Trump.
Look forward to the details.
I think unfortunately a billion dollars does not buy that much any more.On face value this seems like an insane waste of money.
Didn’t the infrastructure at Osborne cost an order of magnitude less than that? And wasn’t that infrastructure primarily for the benefit of ASC, a government owned entity?
I presume that the CoA will be charging market rents to the private occupants of Henderson to generate a return on this investment?
Correct. That amount is the upper limit of the cost, not the definitive one.An interesting bit of info is that approximately 1/3rd of that $368B is contingency…
Yet people still call them “$368B” subs…
Absolutely. Mind you, I think it's prudent to bring it to their attention.All to please the U.S before meeting Trump.
Don't forget the government has put approximately $1.5 billion into their shipbuilding to speed it up. I think they'll be ours. I just hate the word sovereign at the moment with the **** police killer on the loose down here. I've had family serve in VicPol with one who lost his best mate on the job.Cannot speak for AI, but the worlds navy’s are building submarines at speed,
Does that suggest they have a future ?
Conventional and nuclear powered.
As for RAN SSN , I’m still sceptical.
Certainly difficult to believe with so much US human and capital investment with the Virginia class for oz that it will actually be an Australian sovereign capability when the initial vessels join the fleet in the 30s
Is that a good or bad thing.
Well I guess that depends on the political dynamics in the future.
Cheers S
Is the construction of the LCH and LCM hulls part of that?On face value this seems like an insane waste of money.
Didn’t the infrastructure at Osborne cost an order of magnitude less than that? And wasn’t that infrastructure primarily for the benefit of ASC, a government owned entity?
I presume that the CoA will be charging market rents to the private occupants of Henderson to generate a return on this investment?
‘This initial investment today will underpin the delivery of the construction of surface vessels for the Australian Defence Force, starting with Army's Landing Craft and pending successful consolidation, the domestic build element of Australia future general purpose frigates. It will deliver facilities to support the sustainment of Australia's surface combatant vessels, contingency docking capabilities for Australia's future conventionally armed nuclear powered submarine fleet from the early 2030s, and depot level maintenance including graving docks. This commitment builds on the $127 million we committed for planning which led have to today's announcement.’Is the construction of the LCH and LCM hulls part of that?
Full respect to the vic police.Don't forget the government has put approximately $1.5 billion into their shipbuilding to speed it up. I think they'll be ours. I just hate the word sovereign at the moment with the **** police killer on the loose down here. I've had family serve in VicPol with one who lost his best mate on the job.
Sorry mods, I'll get back on topic.