Posted on 09/10/2008 2:28:26 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Another navy sub forced to dry-dock because of crew shortages
Mark Dodd and Matthew Franklin | September 11, 2008
THE Royal Australian Navy is set to move the fourth of its six Collins-class submarines into dry dock because of crew shortages, undermining Kevin Rudd's plans for a massive upgrade in naval resources to counter a military build-up inAsia.
Defence analysts warned yesterday that severe skills shortages meant the navy could not crew its existing vessels, let alone new assets proposed by the Prime Minister in a major speech to the Returned and Services League on Tuesday night.
Mr Rudd told the RSL that financial prosperity in the Asian region was fuelling an arms race and that Australia must respond by upgrading its military forces, particularly the RAN, which has just 37 vessels, including six submarines.
While Mr Rudd mentioned no particular nations, his comments have been widely interpreted as a warning about China's continuing expansion of its navy, particularly its fleet of nuclear submarines.
As Mr Rudd intensified his language yesterday, saying Australia needed to be a "maritime power" and protect its shipping lanes to maintain trade, defence analyst Allan Behm said the RAN was struggling to retain highly skilled technicians.
Mr Behm, a consultant to universities and the defence industry, said that with three Collins-class submarines now inoperable because of crew shortages, the navy faced the real prospect of mothballing another within six months.
"This is now a real problem for the submarines and somebody has to be brought to account," Mr Behm told The Australian.
"(Chief of Navy) Vice-Admiral Russell Crane has a big task ahead."
Lowy Institute fellow and Australian National University professor Hugh White accused the Government of failing to demand action from senior Defence officials.
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.news.com.au ...
This sure doesn’t sound good.
what is going on here? Not paying enough?
Or rather the Mining industry is offering more.
Or rather the Mining industry is offering more.
so what is goin on here, I would think that Australia would have a big navy and a good one because of it’s geography
can any aussie explain
Need to increase the grog ration...???
can any aussie explain Will they go so non-defense that they may as well lower their flag and replace it with a Chinese, Islamic, or some other flag? Maybe they could contract with India for defense.
I think it is the normal story a lack of NCO’s after a long period of low funding. Most of the guys who would be petty officers got out after their first enlistments. Sort of like us in 1980 and and to some degree 2000.
I think it is the normal story, a lack of NCO’s after a long period of low funding. Most of the guys who would be petty officers got out after their first enlistments. Sort of like us in 1980 and and to some degree 2000.
What is up with the double post?
What is up with the double post?
can any aussie explain
Australia has a very good navy and a reasonably sizeable one - although it's not as big as it should be or could be.
The problem with the subs is basically that sukhoi mentioned - Australia has recently enjoyed a massive mineral boom which has meant mining companies have needed an unprecedented number of workers, in general, and experienced technicians, in particular. These companies are prepared to pay incredibly high salaries - far higher than the Defence Force can - and that's both cutting into the areas the ADF taps for recruitment of general hand type sailors, and also making moving from defence into a private company very attractive to experienced NCOs and officers.
The navy pays very large bonuses and allowances to try and keep submariners in the service, but even $50,000 bonuses and $80,000 a year starting salaries aren't enough to compete anymore.
One thing about Aussie personnel shortage that’s always interested me is how long does it take for a submariner to leave for the private sector if he’s being poached?? I mean do they leave at the end of their commissions or are discharge rules liberal?? I know this might sound stalinistic, but you would need to tighten procedures then.Submariners don’t get their skills for free.Besides,this is about national security!!
Wow.
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