Lecture Abstract: 

Australia has a unique set of requirements for its submarine force. These not only involve the development of a highly capable and long range conventionally powered submarine incorporating the latest weapons and sensors, but also a commitment to being part of a ‘continuous build’ effort that will be a key element in revitalising national shipbuilding. The future submarine will depend upon a continuing and very close relationship with the United States, as well as with France, the originator of the successful design. In moving over time to a force double the size of the existing squadron, the navy will need to expand its trained force of submariners to match. This paper explains the background to the Australian programme, as well as the challenges ahead in making such an ambitious concept work.

About the Speaker: 

James Goldrick is a retired Rear Admiral, RAN. He joined the RAN in 1974, and, after completing an Arts degree at UNSW Kensington, graduated from the RAN College at the end of 1978. He commanded HMA Ships Cessnock and Sydney (twice), the multinational maritime interception force in the Persian Gulf, the Australian Defence Force Academy (twice), Border Protection Command and the Australian Defence College. He is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at UNSW at Canberra (ADFA) and in SDSC at ANU, as well as a Professorial Fellow at ANCORS at the University of Wollongong. He was a visiting fellow at All Souls College, Oxford University in 2015. He is a member of the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal and the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal. He was a member of the Expert Panel supporting the development of the 2016 Defence White Paper. He was awarded a Doctorate of Letters (honoris causa) by UNSW in 2006. His books include: No Easy Answers: The Development of the Navies of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and Before Jutland: The Naval War in Northern European Waters August 1914-February 1915, and, with Jack McCaffrie, Navies of South-East Asia: A Comparative Study. Amongst other projects, he is currently working on After Jutland: The Naval War in Northern European Waters June 1916-November 1918.