Soryu submarine deal: Japanese insiders warn sub program will cost more, hurt Australian jobs

Updated

Former senior Japanese military personnel have spoken out for the first time against the submarine deal the Abbott Government hopes to conclude with Japan.

Australia is considering buying 10 state-of-the-art Soryu class submarines from Japan, at a reported price of more than $20 billion.

But Japanese military insiders have warned that it will cost much more.

They told the ABC there was great reluctance within the Japanese military to share their expertise, and said it would take Australia decades to perfect the submarines' top secret technology.

The Federal Government wants to replace its Collins class submarines with Soryus by 2030.

The technology around the Soryu has been classified as top secret, but insiders have described them as the world's best non-nuclear powered submarine, with the capacity to stay submerged for weeks.

"It's an issue of hull strength. Japan has secret technology, like special steel and noise reduction. So the issue is how can we share it," Kazuhisa Ogawa, a former government defence adviser and one of Japan's top military analysts, said.

He said submarine warfare was decided by how quiet and deep the vessels could go.

Former Japanese submarine commander Toshihide Yamauchi was at sea for nearly 30 years.

He said it took Japan 60 years to develop and master the Soryu technology, and he believed they would not just give it all away.

Mr Yamauchi said Japan may provide just some of its knowledge to Australia.

"This is not just about building a hull, it's the most advanced submarine in the world and unless Australia studies it intensely and Japan helps, it will take decades," he said.

"Australia could have many technical and implementation problems."

Mr Yamauchi and Mr Ogawa both told the ABC that an Australian budget of $20 billion would mean that all the construction would have to happen in Japan.

And they said any attempts to do any of the work in Adelaide would double the price.

Mr Ogawa said if construction happened in Japan it would be bad for Australian jobs, but good for the Japanese economy.

"If the issue of military secrets can be resolved then Japanese business will be happy it will bring jobs and growth," he said.

Last week, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten demanded the Coalition Government stand by a pre-election commitment to build Australia's next fleet of submarines in South Australia.

Mr Shorten addressed a rally of workers from the Australian Submarine Corporation in Adelaide and told workers the nation's defence capabilities relied upon skilled workers as well as soldiers.

"Australia's security relies on four uniforms: Army, Navy, Air Force and Defence contractor, which is you," Mr Shorten said.

"If we fight we will win, and when we get rid of the rotten Abbott Government we will build our submarines in Australia, where it should be."

Deal will bind Japanese and Australian defence forces

Retired submarine commander Mr Yamauchi said he believed buying the Japanese subs was not in Australia's best interests, adding that Australia should keep developing its own industry.

"Australia should be clear about what kind of submarine it wants for its naval strategy for the later half of this century.

"Then it needs to ask Japan what part it can help with and get co-operation. Just to ask for the whole Soryu is not a good idea."

To run and service a fleet of 10 Soryu submarines will require at least 1,000 staff, who need to be trained for 10 to 15 years

Some of the training is expected to take place in Japan.

The deal has the potential to bind the Japanese and Australian defence forces together for decades.

Mr Yamauchi said it would mean Japan would have 20 Soryu subs, and Australia 10.

"They'll have a very big military power in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. Having common weapons systems will mean security ties will become stronger. China will be upset most by this."

Topics: navy, defence-industry, defence-forces, defence-and-national-security, australia, japan

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