By Geoff Slocombe*
Hugh White’s latest book has stimulated an important debate on the defence capabilities needed to preserve Australia as a sovereign state.
In recent commentary there’s been recognition of the insight and erudition of White’s analysis, but much criticism of particular points he makes.
But there’s one more perspective that I haven’t yet seen fully covered. White, while dismissive of future fighting roles for surface warships, suggests a vastly enlarged fleet of submarines, possibly as many as 24 or even 36.
