Why uneven shipbuilding raises Australian program costs

The RAN has capable ships and a clear view of its needs. The Sea Power Centre's publications are one example of that conceptual strength. Australia's domestic shipbuilding ambitions still face a structural problem because investment and construction repeatedly rise and fall. Stop-start programs force yards to rebuild teams and expertise, which makes comparisons with continuously supported industries misleading. Canada benefits from proximity to the United States, while Britain retains work through overlapping submarine and frigate programs. Different equipment fits also make headline cost comparisons unreliable before the industrial learning curve is considered.