New Depths in Australia-US Relations: The Collins Class ...

Maryanne Kelton: New Depths 32the development programme for the F-35 JSF, but it purchased, controversially, theUS Abrams M1A1 tanks 168 and aging Seasprite helicopters. 169 More recently again,the tender process for the proposed air warfare destroyers (AWD) revealed thegovernment’s inclusion of the US on paper design for a remodelled Arleigh Burkedestroyer. Alternate contenders remain the Spanish Alvaro De Bazan Class Frigate(F-100) and German Sachsen (F124) destroyers. 170 Defence Minister Robert Hillhad previously announced too that Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie andCNO, Admiral Vern Clark, signed the Surface Warfare Statement of Principles whichwould include the ‘continuing development of the Air Warfare Destroyer combatsystem design.’ That there may have been appropriate systems other than Aegishas not been discussed. 171 More generally, in their reflection upon recent policydecisions two of Australia’s prominent defence experts, Paul Dibb and RichardBrabin-Smith, have warned that Australia’s foreign policy independence is in dangerof compromise by inappropriate defence purchasing and an uncritical tagging of USsecurity aims. 172 Further, Derek Woolner, long time defence analyst, has argued‘(t)here are times when the government's national security decisions appear to bedriven by naive techno-fervour. This is especially so when a display of enthusiasm fora piece of military hardware seems to provide political advantage’. 173xii. On the Rocks: The Sale of the ASCInitial ALP support for the submarine project embodied a recognition of its associatedbenefits. Successful development of an indigenous shipbuilding industry could alsocontribute positively to trade balance accounts, employment opportunities,technology transfer and the development of centres of excellence in technologicaldevelopment. 174 Yet as the construction phase of the submarine project drew to aclose, the Howard government grappled with the future of the ASC itself. Aperception had existed that one of the difficulties for the management of the Collinsproject had been that the Australian government was both part producer andcustomer. That it was the sole purchaser further complicated the arrangements. 175And in a climate more inclined to rationalisation and revenue raising, the governmentlooked to a sale of the ASC.This sale, however, could not be judged solely on commercial exigencies.Impregnated instead, with strategic, economic and political stresses, the governmenthad a complex problem to resolve. A number of questions arose. How to balanceAustralia's quest for self sufficiency in its defence industries, maintain the high qualityskills and resources acquired during the project itself, maximise its technological168 The Abrams tanks were also manufactured by General Dynamics.169 Aldo Borgu, ‘The Defence Capability Review 2003: A Modest and Incomplete Review’, AustralianStrategic Policy Institute, 2003, pp. 4-6. See also Tom Allard, ‘US tanks to Darwin for a base that’s nota base’, Sydney Morning Herald, 18 November 2003, p.1 and, Hugh White, ‘Why fewer and bigger isbad for defence’, The Age, 24 November 2003. Gary Hughes and Gerard Wright, '$1 billion choppersare museum exhibits, The Sunday Age, 2 June 2002, p. 1. Geoffrey Barker '$12 billion to buyexperimental war plane', Australian Financial Review, 28 June 2002, pp. 1 and 18.170 Senator, the Hon Robert Hill, Minister for Defence, ‘Air Warfare Destroyer Design CompetitionBegins’, Media Release, 14 March 2004. See also Defense Daily International, ‘US and AustralianNavies Reach Agreement on Destroyers, LCS Participation’, vol. 4, issue 8. Also Geoffrey Barker,‘Political Motive Denied in Ship’s Design’, Australian Financial Review, 24 March 2004, p. 4.171 Senator, the Hon Robert Hill, Minister for Defence, ‘Navy Signs Agreement on Surface Warfare’,Media Release, 27 February 2004.172 See the article by Paul Dibb and Richard Brabin-Smith, ‘Cinderella’s reality check’, AustralianFinancial Review, 24 February 2004, p. 62.173 Derek Woolner, ‘Missile defence a distracting sideshow’, Australian Financial Review, February2004, p. 55.174 Robert J. Cooksey, ‘Review of Australia’s Defence Exports and Defence Industry: Report to theMinister for Defence’, AGPS, Canberra, 1986, pp. 92-103.175 I thank one of the interviewees for this point.