AUKUS Treaty NEWS ONLY

North Korea unveils a 6-7,000 ton ballistic missile submarine under construction likely with Russian assistance. Raises the regional threat level substantiallly.

www.dailymail.co.uk

North Korea unveils nuclear-powered submarine for the first time

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea unveiled for the first time a nuclear-powered submarine under construction, a weapons system that can pose a major...
www.dailymail.co.uk www.dailymail.co.uk
 
WatcherZero said:
North Korea unveils a 6-7,000 ton ballistic missile submarine under construction likely with Russian assistance. Raises the regional threat level substantiallly.

www.dailymail.co.uk

North Korea unveils nuclear-powered submarine for the first time

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea unveiled for the first time a nuclear-powered submarine under construction, a weapons system that can pose a major...
www.dailymail.co.uk www.dailymail.co.uk
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38 North has been reporting on this through imagery for a few years now I think. Official announcements are always welcome.
 
Nope I think it would just be an out for the US. This deal was a disaster from day one.

We were 3 bil and counting on the French disaster, not sure how much we will drop this time.

And I am sure we are going to have to pay tribute to the new administration no matter what happens.

Regards,
 
There will probably be some extra price to pay whether it's cash or minerals or an increase in troops in AU or whatever. Even the US states are having to go cap in hand and kiss the ring- and those are Americans.
 
Halcyon66 said:
Nope I think it would just be an out for the US. This deal was a disaster from day one.

We were 3 bil and counting on the French disaster, not sure how much we will drop this time.

And I am sure we are going to have to pay tribute to the new administration no matter what happens.

Regards,
Click to expand...

That seems rather optimistic, for both Australia and the U.S.

But if you think China taking over another country, especially one that produces half the microchips in the world, is the better case for Australia; that does put your other posts into perspective.
 
MrPhantomMan said:
There will probably be some extra price to pay whether it's cash or minerals or an increase in troops in AU or whatever. Even the US states are having to go cap in hand and kiss the ring- and those are Americans.
Click to expand...

Admittedly the new administration is trying its best to make Xi look like a decent option.

But U.S. presidents change and Xi won’t.
 
Taiwan is going to become a SAR, the US will sell them in a heartbeat.

I lived in HK before the handover and after the handover and the only difference was the lack of expats.

Before they wanted us for our skill sets and after they wanted Chinese speakers with the same skill sets that they got from US, UK and Australian universities and the list goes on. They took all the knowledge back home.

But U.S. presidents change and Xi won’t.
Click to expand...

Are you sure about that, seems the current incumbent is looking at longer terms?

Regards,
 
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If you think theres been no change in Hong Kong you haven't been there in the last decade. Last month the Democratic Party dissolved itself due to the repression and the 2021 ban on anyone not approved by the Communist Party taking part in elections leaving it a one party state. There is no longer any democratic opposition, the Democratic party of course gained a majority in the 2019 elections which led to the Chinese crackdown and jailing of most of its elected members.
 
Yes, I have.

Have you ever lived anywhere other than Australia?

Quick question do we as Australians need to get police approval, aka permit to protest?

theconversation.com

Should you need a permit to protest? Here’s why that’s a bad idea (and might be unlawful)

Bill Shorten made headlines by suggesting states should adopt a permit system for protests. Here’s what protest legislation looks like nationally and what international laws say about it.
theconversation.com theconversation.com

Maybe you should get out more.

Regards,
 
Halcyon66 said:
Yes, I have.

Have you ever lived anywhere other than Australia?

Quick question do we as Australians need to get police approval, aka permit to protest?

theconversation.com

Should you need a permit to protest? Here’s why that’s a bad idea (and might be unlawful)

Bill Shorten made headlines by suggesting states should adopt a permit system for protests. Here’s what protest legislation looks like nationally and what international laws say about it.
theconversation.com theconversation.com

Maybe you should get out more.

Regards,
Click to expand...

No you dont need permission in Australia as the article explains.
Notifying authorities in advance and making it an official event allows for assistance in organising and policing a protest and frees you from the danger of your protest breaking the law such as obstructing public roads. Federal law in Australia guarantees the right to protest unless it harms an individuals reputation (i.e. slander), threatens national security, or incites violence. The states have various restrictions, for example in the states with lots of mining there is usually a restriction against protesting on private property and trespass, in the capital district there is a ban on using vehicles in protests (for security).

By contrast in Hong Kong now colluding with a foreign power or organisation (like an NGO) to produce interference carries a 14 year prison sentence. Criticising the state or Communist Party has a 2-7 year jail sentence or 10 years if they can prove a link to a foreign entity such as charity donation, conducting business or receiving a salary from a foreign organisation/company. Criticising the Chinese Government while abroad is punishable by the removal of passport and suspension of qualified licences (such as legal qualification if a lawyer). Trials may be held in secret and any Hong Kong suspect may be deported to face trial in China if requested. In 2023 in the only officially permitted protest since 2020 which was against a land fill, the participants had to wear an individually numbered lanyard and the number of participants was limited to 100 while they were instructed they may not say anything during the protest which infringed the National Security Law. Recently there was an unsanctioned protest against Hong Kong airport by staff supported by their union as they hadn't been paid in a week, afterwards all participants were rounded up and put on two coach's to the labour office where their identities were recorded.
 
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Singapore increases defence spending by 12.4% and orders two additional submarines to take their fleet to six.
"Strong fences – and I would add, defenses – make good neighbors." - Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen

www.defensenews.com

Singapore raises defense budget, readies new military acquisitions

The government of Singapore announced a 12.4% defense budget hike on March 3, with major new equipment on order.
www.defensenews.com www.defensenews.com
 
Have you ever lived anywhere other than Australia?

Simple question that you seem unable to answer.

Singapore wanting more subs is a laugh, do you know how big Singapore is?

50 kilometres (31 mi) from east to west and 27 kilometres (17 mi) from north to south with 193 kilometres (120 mi) of coastline.

Funny that those who have never travelled seem to have the most incite.

Regards,
 
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Halcyon66 said:
Yes, I have.

Have you ever lived anywhere other than Australia?

Quick question do we as Australians need to get police approval, aka permit to protest?

theconversation.com

Should you need a permit to protest? Here’s why that’s a bad idea (and might be unlawful)

Bill Shorten made headlines by suggesting states should adopt a permit system for protests. Here’s what protest legislation looks like nationally and what international laws say about it.
theconversation.com theconversation.com

Maybe you should get out more.

Regards,
Click to expand...

I suspect you would not even be able to research any of this line of thought in China.

The U.S. is going through a horrible administration…it has before. It has even gone through a civil war and managed to hold elections during it. The U.S. system of government predates the Chinese one by more than a century and a half and I suspect it will have a normal election in four years.
 
Halcyon66 said:
Singapore wanting more subs is a laugh, do you know how big Singapore is?
Click to expand...
Why is it a laugh? Singapore currently has six submarines. The additional pair of Type 218s will replace the last two remaining Vastergotland class subs.
They have six frigates on order from Saab Kockums and that will double their fleet given they already have six Formidable-class frigates.

The RSAF has 40 F-15SG, 59 F-16s plus 20 F-35s on order and even six KC-330 tankers. A lot of those are based in the USA, but generally its much the same size and capability as the RAAF. Don't be fooled that a small nation can't have a modern and strong defence.
 
Halcyon66 said:
Have you ever lived anywhere other than Australia?

Simple question that you seem unable to answer.

Singapore wanting more subs is a laugh, do you know how big Singapore is?

50 kilometres (31 mi) from east to west and 27 kilometres (17 mi) from north to south with 193 kilometres (120 mi) of coastline.

Funny that those who have never travelled seem to have the most incite.

Regards,
Click to expand...

This is a bit shortsighted I must say. Remember also that they're 6 million people, have a deep water port (and the advanced ship facilities to go with it) and sit on one of the most important strategic routes in the world.
 
Not really, as who would be interested in taking Singapore?

One country comes to mind, and what exactly could they do to stop it.

America is out of the game now globally it seems and we are all looking at a massive call to arms, which in most cases is unachievable and will no doubt end in tears.

Regards,
 
Halcyon66 said:
I lived in HK before the handover and after the handover and the only difference was the lack of expats.

Before they wanted us for our skill sets and after they wanted Chinese speakers with the same skill sets that they got from US, UK and Australian universities and the list goes on. They took all the knowledge back home.
Click to expand...
As my moniker suggests I also am familiar with HK, both before & after the handover, and up to current times as I still have family there.

The first people to tell me about the Chinese threat and imperial ambitions are my HK contacts. Up to about 10 years ago they used to repeat the same mantra as you ("nothing changed" except for a few differences on the surface). Now... well they're not laughing and take it very seriously. Australia should too.

Obviously there will always be the (unsavory) option of laying down and letting China do what it wants with Taiwan, but no guarantees this will stop there... in fact the lessons of history give a strong likelihood that that would just be the beginning.

P.S. To keep with the "News only" part of this thread, looks like Trump is going ahead with tariffs against Australia.
www.straitstimes.com

Trump hits ally Australia with tariffs, sparking alarm over security ties

Some question whether the US will still honour the deal to acquire its nuclear-powered submarines. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com www.straitstimes.com
Noteworthy quote:
A former head of the Australian Defence Force, Admiral (Ret) Chris Barrie, told The Sydney Morning Herald on March 13 that the tariff decision showed that “no agreement (with the Trump administration) is secure”. He said Australia needed to develop alternative submarine plans in case the Aukus acquisitions did not proceed. "It is important for us to develop a Plan B because of the real possibility the US will never give us the submarines because they need them for themselves,” he said.
Click to expand...
 
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Halcyon66 said:


All getting a bit messy.
0
Regards,
Click to expand...
Good Lord ! What a truly stupid person the good Senator is.
What's she planning to do for an encore?
Threaten to shoot the US Ambassador?
Perhaps even threaten to hold her breath until she turns blue ?
Wow and I thought Canadian politicians could be dense.
 
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It is important to note that modern day politics is often performance art, with unrealistic ideas that feel good to the voting base presented as legitimate options. Look at MAGA in the U.S. some of these people truly are ignorant, but a fair proportion certainly know that what they are saying is impractical but also no it will play well with their voting base, and there is barely any consequence now adays for unsubstantiated claims or blatant extremism.

I have no idea which category this person fits in, not being familiar with Australian politics.
 
Not AUKUS specific but very AUKUS adjacent talk between Sal Mercogliano and Jennifer Parker an Australian maritime and defence analyst on maritime matters relating to Australia, worth a watch.

View: https://youtu.be/mIY7eWSH_Qs?si=sxAOs3JJIMamHR2A


Jennifer Parker

Jennifer Parker is a maritime security specialist. A defence analyst, writer and commentator, with 20+ years in the Australian Department of Defence. Specialising in Defence Policy, Military Strategy, Maritime Security.
www.jennifer-parker.com.au www.jennifer-parker.com.au
 
Halcyon66 said:
https://au.news.yahoo.com/stop-qantas-boss-dark-warning-024539677.html

Outlines the simple point of how quickly Australia could be in a mess over fuel import requirements.

Adds to the above point int he video regarding why invade.

Great link.

Regards,
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The absolute state of Australian fuel security. This is from two years ago but still relevant.
www.theguardian.com

Housing Australia’s fuel reserves in US an ‘absolute joke’, former top defence bureaucrat says

Dennis Richardson also tells agricultural conference national freight network is vulnerable due to rail transport bottlenecks
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
 

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