AUKUS - Time to raise the Periscope

 AUKUS - TIME TO RAISE THE  PERISCOPE

By Mike Clitheroe

 

Wow so much coverage everywhere of the AUKUS agreement and the indignation in France.

Must be the Remoaners dream to be able once again knock their own country and

cry for an EU member state. “Those naughty two faced Conservatives ” they will scream.

 

For me an important point has been completely missed in all the media coverage.

So now I want to put this into my “simple man’s” understanding of events.

 

As we all know Australia has been under increasing pressure from China for some time about their attempted dominance of the Indo/Pacific region and the threats against Taiwan etc.

Particularly since the Aussies dare challenged them about howCovid 19 originated and why they mislead the world about the whole episode

 -Australia wanted quite rightly to increase their defence capability, to let China and the world know they would not take all this “lying down”.

 

As widely publicised, they set up a deal a few years ago to get Submarines  from France.

However not only did this agreement fall behind schedule the French package  proved to be poor on the technology front particularly the software.  The Australians  realised

(or were reliably informed) what they were dealing with from the French was a dated system which in part uses diesel (not very green?) and there was going to be a lot of money spent and time wasted when this virtually obsolete product finally came into service.

Therefore they would be way behind what was really required to be a meaningful deterrent - given the Chinese  have nuclear  powered subs already - which can stay submerged for muchl onger and were generally more efficient.

So it is fairly obvious the French could not supply the desperately needed 21^st technology.

Obviously they needed to shop elsewhere.

 

With the UK / US deal they get to share the most advanced secret technology and in the

longer term  Cyber, Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing for the good of the Free World.

 

NOW!! THE WHOLE POINT IS THAT IT WAS AN AUSTRLIAN DECISION AND ANY CONTRACT/AGREEMENT

WITH FRANCE IS BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM.

Surely, like any other contract (if there is such a thing between them ) maybe there is compensation to pay

and explained logical reasoning and even an apology. Who knows? but it’s between Australia & France

The UK & US In my view are not the devious guilty parties.

Were we putting forward the opportunities in all our interests for a defence deterrent

– yes of course we were. BUT it was finally an Aussie decision – which was the sensible decision – to pull out of the French deal to get modern, up to date equipment and long term partnerships in defence 

of their country and surrounding regions.

WHY IS THERE THIS BIG DOWN ON THE UK & USA???

FOR ME A “SIMPLE MAN” I CANNOT UNDERSTAND THIS MOCK INDIGNATION.

Simply if one orders anything and it proves to be late and not of the standard required or promised – you cancel it.

 

Were we (the UK) and the Yanks supposed to say

“ We can’t possibly supply you with Subs with our superior technology and build a long term strategic alliance against China because we must not  upset the French”  OF COURSE NOT.

 

For the French its simply about the money as I believe their only vision is the EU and not the rest of world if there is no euros and prestige in it for themselves.

 

Yes people will say this is all over simplification – OK explain why.

 

Mike Clitherow