The nuclear sub deal

The other concern about using nuclear subs is what happens when the US gets another protectionist. President like Trump who decides he's not interested in cooperation with Australia. Where does that leave us and our 'sovereign' military capability?

 

Did anyone watch or listen to Malcolm Turnbull's speech re the cancellation of the submarine contract at the National Press Club today ? It was food for thought and I am beginning to regret my first response to the cancellation. I am hoping ScoMo will respond, it should be interesting ...
‘Biggest failure’: Turnbull rips into ScoMo

 

We are a geographical strategic allie of the US, speak to any old digger of WW11.

 

There aren't many alive ... WW2 ended 75 years ago!

 

Keating also has some good, pompously made, points.

The AUKUS agreement presents Australia as a defeatist nation

 

What does that mean though? Outsourcing our defence to the US? That's madness.

 

All's good until they outsource the call centre to the cheapest location.

 

It means if the US ever goes to war with China (I hope not) that they're going to defend us whether we like it or not, the last thing they would want is China getting a hold of our resources during a war.

I'm old enough and lucky enough to have spoken to a few and most of them will tell you that the US didn't defend us because it cared about Aussies.

 

OK I will bite, tell us why they defended us ...

 

It's pretty obvious, what would have happened if Japan militarised on the main land here? The US was looking after its own interests first, like it always does.

 

Our PM of the time, John Curtin, phoned the US President asking for help which we got! there was no ANZUS treaty in existence at that time and no reason why the US should help us, however they did ... their soldiers came, fought the Japanese with us and without us, when the war was over they departed as they came except for the hundreds of war brides that followed them We owe them ... Now you tell me what advantage the US gained by helping us.

My late brother in law was posted in Brisbane when the battle between the Australian and US troops broke out ...

 

I watched this yesterday and it may not be for everyone ..

 

Curtin pulled the Australian troops from Africa and Britain, while the Japanese bombed the US first in Pearl harbour. The prime minister of Britain 'Churchill' said his plan was to defeat Germany and then Japan in that order and didn't want the Australian troops to leave. Then the US commenced their assault on the Japanese in the pacific and because Britain wouldn't give aid for obvious reasons, the US was called upon. So Curtin announced that Australia was relying on the USA to defend it, the US used Australia for its resources and as a large aircraft carrier to commence their assault on the Japanese in the Pacific Ocean. They would not of come here if there wasn't something in it for them.

 

Honest government ad : AUKUS.

 

Superb. As always.

 

So I flicked on the tv to channel CCTV4 here and just happened to see a "current affair" style program on ... AUKUS!

I do not speak Mandarin, so just watched the tone - all the great tropes of magazine tv from anywhere the world. The imagery was:
Submarines leaving port
US jet fighters firing missiles
US navy invading beaches
Bombs dropping
UK subs launching missiles
Aussie um, well I think there was some images of the ship yards in Adelaide.
More submarines
Boris, Biden, Trump, ScoMo - angry faces!
Macron looking annoyed.
Middle-aged expert mansplaning to young female reported (nodding furiously).

ScoMo will be personally stoked, they used all the photo ops of him sitting in military vehicles grinning like a deranged bulldog.

There were some images of Aussie trade (coal, wine) too. Just for balance.

 

This is one reason why governments of this area feel a need to make a show of strength

Taiwan says dozens of Chinese planes entered defence zone

 

Believe me subs are not a show of strength, they are elusive. Sometimes the debate has too much non military in it ( jobs, politics, media ).

Partner with US as we do with airpower makes perfect sense.

Next will be drones uav and unmanned subs. Being in the US / UK tent is a fundamentally good place to be.

 

The French Ambassador to Australia has returned to ACT after his 'holiday' to redefine our relationship ... you have to have a chuckle at the antics ...