Prospects are good for submarine makers

摘要

In its 21 January issue, Fortune magazine predicted a booming market for submarines, quoting a report from the advisory group AMI International. Over the next 20 years, 36 countries are set to buy 280 submarines at a total cost of more than A$200 billion, Fortune said. BAE Systems is building three Astute class submarines as part of a A$4.4 billion contract with the British navy. The nuclear-powered Astute subs are 97m long and have a displacement of 7800t, carrying 89 crew members for up to 90 days. They can dive below 300m, reaching an underwater speed of around 30 knots.