Victorian Chapter – Monthly Meeting with Guest Speaker Commander Doug Stevens RAN (Rtd) – “RAN Submarine Basing”

Naval Historical Society of Australia – Victoria Chapter

Cordially invites you to

Monthly Meeting at 1900 on Monday 24 October 2022

At Waverley RSL – Sunset Room

161 Coleman Parade, Glen Waverley

Guest Speaker Commander Doug Stevens RAN (Rtd)

  “RAN Submarine Basing”

Doug spent 21 years as an Engineer on full time service in the Royal Australian Navy, and many years later commenced a further nine years of part time service.  In 2010 he was commissioned by Head of the Future Submarines Program, RADM Moffitt, to research and write a future-submarines basing study.  The associated report, submitted in November 2011, underpins today’s decision making by Defence about the creation of an east coast submarines home port.

The 2011 report was written around Defence’s planned acquisition at that time of twelve diesel-electric submarines.  Its stated purpose was to inform submarine homeport decision making which was anticipated to take place from 2021 onwards.  It shortlisted in descending order, nine east coast homeport options.

The cancellation of the twelve diesel-electric submarine program and its replacement by eight nuclear propelled submarines reduces the east-coast homeport options, according to Doug, from nine to five.  Doug updated his earlier report in June this year with a related article in the Naval Officers Club Newsletter.

Doug will describe key considerations necessary when deciding where to homeport submarines, and draw from his two reports relating to east-coast basing of Australia’s next class of submarines.  This promises to provide a fascinating insight into this strategically important decision making process.

Members and Guests are most welcome

 A relaxing meal and drink beforehand in the RSL’s delightful Warramunga Room is always a pleasant prelude to the 1900 meeting