Australia
is a long way off being capable of running nuclear submarines, US
Ambassador Jeffrey Bleich says.
Some coalition frontbenchers are reported to have spoken to
US officials about replacing the navy's diesel fleet with nuclear-powered
submarines.
The coalition members apparently keen on the strategy are
not named in the reports by Fairfax Media.
Mr Bleich says the idea surfaces every now and again, but
it's not on the table in the immediate future.
"It's an idea to speculate about, but it's so far away
from being a serious policy consideration,",
"Politically, there hasn't been a real momentum for
development of a nuclear energy program at all, let alone nuclear submarines,
in Australia."
Australia
has in the past found it difficult to fins submarines that meet the needs of
its navy. The range at which its submarines must operate make most traditional
diesel-powered submarines unsuitable as they are generally built for the
confined waters of Europe.
This is why Australia
designed and built its own submarines, the Collins Class, in the 1990s.
Without necessary nuclear expertise and infrastructure in
place, it would be difficult to maintain a defence program involving nuclear
subs, the Ambassador said.
It was up to Australia,
not the United States,
to start any conversation about looking into alternative nuclear technologies.
But he said if Australia
were to express interest in developing a nuclear program, the US
would be open to dialogue.
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta and Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton will be in Perth
this week for the annual Australia-US Ministerial (AUSMIN) talks.
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