The case for Australian nuclear propulsion focuses on reaching distant operating areas, staying there, and returning. A conventional submarine might reach a station yet have much less endurance remaining for the patrol itself. Nuclear power offers sustained high-speed transit as well as time on station. Some unnamed European proposals are criticised as lacking even the range to move between Australian submarine bases without an intermediate stop. The earlier selected approach is described as converting a nuclear design to conventional propulsion because a sufficiently large conventional boat was unavailable. Japanese or Korean conventional designs receive a tentative assessment as more suitable for Canada's Pacific distances, while still being judged inadequate for Australia's requirements.
Notable Point · 1:07:43-1:09:27
Australia's submarine distances and time on station
The range comparison separates reaching a patrol area from remaining there and returning, with different assessments for Australia and Canada.