Thread by @kajleers

@biannagolodryga @maggieNYT .@SangerNYT Wait. What? "Far less sophisticated and far noisier" French submarines...?

Mr Sanger - I'm not party to any of this, but as host of the @HistoryofSubs podcast, I gotta say - stating that diesel-electric subs with AIP are *noisier* than nuke subs is just plain wrong.

@biannagolodryga @maggieNYT @SangerNYT @HistoryofSubs I mean, just literally, completely plain wrong. In fact, you're in the realm of fake news here. Sorry to have to say this, but US submarines with nuclear propulsion are noisier than *any* diesel-electric sub, especially so with air-independent propulsion.

@biannagolodryga @maggieNYT @SangerNYT @HistoryofSubs In fact, even the US Navy knows this - it's the very reason why they took 2 Swedish diesel-electric submarines with AIP on loan. Not just to understand how they make it work, but more importantly, how they can somehow track AIP-driven DE-subs. Because they're so damn...quiet.

@biannagolodryga @maggieNYT @SangerNYT @HistoryofSubs *Any* sub driver worth his salt (they're still usually men) will tell you that in this day and age, it is far easier to spot a nuclear sub than a diesel-electric engine. And in fact, the Australians knew this.

@biannagolodryga @maggieNYT @SangerNYT @HistoryofSubs It's one of the reasons why they asked the French Naval Group to remove the nuclear propulsion systems from their new line of subs and install diesel-electric, air-independent propulsion systems instead. (Which is why it is taking so long for the French to deliver.)

@biannagolodryga @maggieNYT @SangerNYT @HistoryofSubs So. Australia switching from diesel-electric AIP-subs to US nuclear subs has a lot more to do with the simple fact that the United States has a huge Pacific Fleet, where the French don't. But, as it always works, you need buy-in. And the American price is: buy our subs.

@biannagolodryga @maggieNYT @SangerNYT @HistoryofSubs Same as with the British in the late 1950s, when the British dropped their diesel-electric subs in favour of US-made(!) nuclear subs. "You want our protection?", Washington DC asks, "then you gotta buy our stuff". That's buy-in. You literally *buy* your protection.

@biannagolodryga @maggieNYT @SangerNYT @HistoryofSubs And I know, I know. I've gone off a mansplainer's rant here. But really, that small para in your piece really alerted me. The French subs, 'less sophisticated' and 'more noisy'? Puhleez. French, German, Swedish, Spanish, etc subs live by NATO regulations, ie US regulations 🤷‍♂️

@biannagolodryga @maggieNYT @SangerNYT @HistoryofSubs No. This is purely a strategic defence deal and as per usual, the country offering the defence wants something in return, in this case buying their subs. Been like this since 1945. That's the deal here. Nothing more, nothing less.

@biannagolodryga @maggieNYT @SangerNYT @HistoryofSubs The situation has changed. China is cranking out more ships and subs than expected 5 years ago. The Aussies took a second look and chose protection by the US Pacific Fleet. That comes with a price. The Aussies are paying by buying US nuke subs. That's what this is all about.