In this guest article, Rear Admiral Peter Briggs, RAN (Rtd), argues that the UK, US and Australia should combine their efforts to build nuclear-capable floating dry docks. A common design with the basic steelwork done in South Korea and the high-value nuclear outfitting done domestically could deliver docks to all three navies years earlier than separate national programmes. (From: Navy Lookout.)
A shortage of dry dock space is keeping Royal Navy and US Navy attack submarines (SSNs) and ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) out of action, and Australia risks repeating the mistake before its own nuclear-powered boats arrive. Floating docks certified for nuclear-powered submarines are the quickest way to add out-of-water capacity, and all three AUKUS partners now need them.
The full article is here.
