Mark,Indeed there are US electronic systems and torpedos.The...

Mark,
Indeed there are US electronic systems and torpedos.

The hull and mechanical engineering was mainly designed by Kochams. The engines were made by a Swedish company (which interestingly is now owned by the small WA engineering company Cootes).

There have been numerous engineering problems which mean that only one or two could go to sea at any time. Their ability to dive was restricted at times.

There is a manpower shortage due to underpaying of the crews.

These are only toys anyway. It would be dreadful to send sailors to their deaths in these toys if we were ever in a shooting war. The real navies use nuclear subs.

These unreliable toys were a victim of the political compromise of the anti nuclear lobby, naval careerists and the need to have some industry in Adelade.

Best just to write them off as a bad idea and learn the lesson to buy hi tech weapons that are fully developed instead of trying to develop our own for our bath tub navy.

I hope we are not going to build our new jet fighters ourselves, the Wirraway Jet?

bacci