“Accumulation of defects”. A-G report scathing on Navy shipbuilding

As the navy started the ambitious Aukus program, the general supervisor gave a ‘C minus’ to the Canberra Class shipbuilding program. Rex Patrick Reports.

Since the navy had two Canberra class landing ships, each of which has been united in debate on reliability at a cost of $ 1.5 billion.

In a frightening report from the auditor published on Friday, the control of the ships were not effective or the value of the money was obtained, the ships were dealing with flaws throughout their young lives.

Hmas Canberra was delivered with 6,640 defects and deficiencies, while the second ship of the class was delivered by HMAS Adelaide 2,240.

Considering that Hmas Canberra reached its ‘first operational capacity’ in November 2015, there were more than 1,000 flaws and deficiencies.

Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships

They look like an aircraft carriers. But they are not; 27,000 tons of landing ships (called “LHDs”).

LHDs, 12 helicopters (not included in the price) and 4 56 tons of landing sea vehicles (including the price) weapons, ammunition, vehicles and stores and more than 1,000 army personnel can move to the land. There are areas for 110 vehicles, including 12 Abrams tanks, and also have established medical facilities such as business theaters, wards, x -ray and dental facilities.

Ongoing operational problems

Ships were in the media in 2017. HMAS Adelaide Exercise cannot join Talisman Saber. LHD has been listed as a low -performance program on the ‘List of interest’ because of the ongoing provocation compartment reliability and the concerns about vibration concerns about the reliability of the delivery and the concerns about the maturity of the overall survival system.

In November 2019, the ships received six ‘important residual deficiencies’ and ‘final operational talent’ declaration.

In 2022 and 2023, the ships provided Tonga and Vanuatu, respectively, provided humanitarian aid and disaster assistance support, while total power failures. Worse than the navy’s failure when necessary, events Navy caused reputation.

The general auditor found the following:

“For several years, risks arising from the accumulation of defect and care have taken place. The non -standard state of ships and personnel labor force scarcity resulted in the effect of critical failure and the effects of the navy on the delivery of operational results.”

NUMBER OF EMERGENCY MEATERS NORMALIZED BY Ship Class (Source: Auditor)

As of this month, there are 223 emergency defects recorded on two ships.

Defense Management Failure

Regarding the defense management, the general auditor found the following:

• Defense has not applied value supply arrangements for purposes and money to support LHD maintenance.
• The money value and the aim of sustaining were not obtained by supply processes of defense.
• The maintenance of LHDs has not been effectively managed by defense through its main contractor regulations.

Last year, there was more than one reports that defense projects were “re -prioritized ((many of them are a term used in the Senate Estimation Speakes to avoid“ canceled ”) to pay for the AUKUS submarine program.

In addition to this news, this week, the Ministry of Defense was a revelation that the Ministry of Defense had reduced the project maintenance and training budgets by 10 percent to save money for paying AUKUS nuclear energy submarines and new missiles.

The audit report reveals other financial issues. It was a report on the correspondence prepared by the navy chief in May 2024, which was hidden among the details that the costs of continuing LHDs require more money.

Determination of a deficiency of $ 2.7 billion over 2023-24 and 2027-28 in the navy.

The navy is pressing on all sides because it continues to dream of acquiring eight nuclear energy submarines with a bank cost of 368 billion dollars.

He must give something. Unfortunately, not the AUKUS program.

I just want a ferrari, sorry, a nuclear submarine, no matter what cost

More money please

The audit report comes at a time when there is an increase in national defense expenditures around the world. While NATO accepted countries, the Prime Minister resisted Albania.

A major problem for Australia is that throwing more money into the defense is that it throws good after bad money based on past performance. Worse, most of our money goes abroad; Most NATO countries can spend locally.

In the last decade, defense has been wasted $ 20B for the abilities they accept, which did not meet the abilities that were not delivered or expectations.

And now, we see that the defense does not go well to maintain its assets with the expectations that the taxpayer will pay more for the same ability.

And still, we continue without any changes in defense. Nobody is responsible and taxpayers are expected to pay only the invoice.

It may be good for the existing geo-strategic uncertainty and appearance to require further spending on defense; Again,

It is recommended to the government only after a significant reform has taken place in defense.

“Madness does the same thing many times and waiting for different results” The old proverb is true as usual. Maybe it’s time to do something different.

Stupid Ways of Purchase: Defense “Swimbles” announced – Old Submariner and Senator Rex Patrick

Rex Patrick is a former senator of South Australia and a submarine in the armed forces. Rex, known as the best fight against corruption and transparency crusaders, “Transparent warrior. “