THE navy could save taxpayers between $11 billion and $20 billion if it was given the "must have" not the "nice to have" option for its future submarine.
According to figures released by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) the cost of the 12 boats to replace six Collins Class subs could be as high as $36 billion, as required in the latest Defence White Paper. ASPI strategic analyst Andrew Davies said no conventionally powered submarine had ever come close to providing the capability the navy requires from the next generation boat.
"It has most of the characteristics of a nuclear-powered submarine," he said.
"It has a suite of capabilities that have never been combined into a conventionally powered submarine."
An "air independent" conventionally powered submarine of about 4000 tonnes would cost about $3 billion compared with $2 billion for a "must have" option, $1.5 billion for an upgraded Collins class vessel and $1 billion for an off-the-shelf European one.
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