Lieutenant Suarez’s analysis of Alfred Thayer Mahan’s thinking on maritime economic warfare is acute. He gives Mahan proper credit for his understanding of the implications of globalization and the potential of sea power to achieve decisive effects in a new economic paradigm. Suarez also clarifies the point likewise raised by Nick Lambert that, however much Mahan advocated the need for decisive victory at sea, he always understood that a successful fleet action was a
means and not an
end. Dominance at sea allowed domination of the enemy’s trade.
Suarez’s analysis of Sir Julian Corbett is equally fair in relation to Corbett’s views as expounded in 1911 in
Nuclear submarines could solve one of Australia’s ‘great strategic challenges’24/02/2021|6min
Nuclear submarines do have the capability to answer one of Australia’s “great strategic challenges” but there are a lot of impediments.
Retired Rear Admiral and Naval historian James Goldrick told Sky News while nuclear submarines have the ability to “go much faster for much longer” than diesel electric subs, which solves Australia’s “tyranny of distance,” there are two major roadblocks.
Despite arguments which suggest a potential for a nuclear submarine program in collaboration with other countries including France, it would be “very expensive,” he said.
“Nuclear submarines cost a great deal more than diesel submarines”.