It appears significant changes are taking place in the Pacific/Asian area in particular the PCR and South Korea as the number of 'boats' indicates. The game of 'catch-up' by other nations , including Oz, seems futile compared with what the PRC is achieving and , of course . man/woman power becomes an issue with Oz. No doubt the volunteer/non-volunteer will also be a factor and perhaps one of the named powers would have no problem with volunteers.
Perhaps some agrrement could be reached between Uncle Sam and Oz with a base in Oz of US boats as a strategic and training set-up. Cost sharing part of the deal allowing a slow build up of the Oz fleet and a gradual development of skills in the Nukes. All that aside, it does appear something is brewing in the area . Interesting the number of D/Es in the SK fleet.
"China and South Korea are expanding their submarine fleets as the U.S. Navy shrinks its own. The conservative Heritage Foundation in a report last Tuesday said that by 2025 the number of U.S. submarines in the Pacific Ocean will fall from 30 to 27 while China will have 78 submarines and South Korea 26".
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/02/08/2010020800720.html
Submariners Association
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