Both Richard Pryke and Paul Corkeron pour scorn on Australia having nuclear-powered submarines (CCN 384).
The former dismisses them as a threat to China while the latter implies the present environmental threat is the only one with which we should be concerned.
The first responsibility of all national governments is the defence of their countries.
Yes, that is defence against detriment to the air, land and water, but also defence against military attack.
Neither is something we should just get around to thinking about when the desecration is happening.
Sadly, we have delayed too long with respect to the environment; still, we might get away with that – ‘touch wood’.
However, we can’t wait until our cities are under bombardment from guided missiles etc. before saying, “Oh we need a technology to serve as a disincentive to attack”. Too late!
We are at considerable distance from other nations.
Who knows if any of them, having large populations and dwindling resources, might some decades from now decide our continent could solve their problems.
Luckily, as an island nation we won’t face troops marching across our borders, as has Ukraine.
However, we are still open to technological attack.
I too wish there were a cheaper, while also potentially effective, deterrent other than weapon-carrying vessels able to hide undetected in the ocean and move rapidly to deliver counter-strikes.
I doubt there is one.
Were it necessary to carry out such operations, our subs could not annihilate another country (I’m pleased to note).
The potential for a reaction is the deterrent, not actual destruction.
Email, Mar 30
Sonnie Hopkins, Tascott