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Re:How a Nuclear Submarine Officer Learned to Live in Tight ... by xxpor on Thursday December 31, 2020 @01:46PM (#25595674)
However it emphasizes the point that they're underway for months at a time since most people aren't intimately familiar with the naval fleet.

That being said, are there ANY countries still running diesel subs? I can't imagine what the point would be in modern times. Not everyone can afford nuclear subs, but on the other hand you'd be crushed so fast by a nuclear navy I can't imagine why'd you even bother trying.

Re:How a Nuclear Submarine Officer Learned to Live in Tight ... by wongarsu on Thursday December 31, 2020 @01:59PM (#25595846)
Most non-nuclear (==conventional) subs run on electric engines with batteries that are recharged by diesel engines. They are much smaller, which can give some stealth advantages, on top of being quieter.

Conventional subs make superior attack subs, and when a sub yet again "sinks" an aircraft carrier in a training exercise its a (often German-built) non-nuclear sub.

Nuclear subs of course excel in staying hidden for months with multiple nuclear missiles. No conventional sub could ever match them at that. But that's not the only thing subs do.

Re:How a Nuclear Submarine Officer Learned to Live in Tight ... by 99chrisbard on Thursday December 31, 2020 @06:49PM (#25598716)
Re:How a Nuclear Submarine Officer Learned to Live in Tight ... by throwaway314158 on Thursday December 31, 2020 @04:01PM (#25597076)
> often German-built

Credit to the Swedes for repeatedly schooling the USN with their Gotland-class AIP submarines.

Re:How a Nuclear Submarine Officer Learned to Live in Tight ... by brnt on Thursday December 31, 2020 @09:32PM (#25600242)
Diesel-electric is quieter and smaller, which means superior in most scenarios, and the most common: for coastal patrol. Few countries have a need for oceanic intercontinental scenarios.

Describing nuclear as superior betrays a lack of post cold war updates. Nobody serious maintains this position, except in the very narrow use case of global navigation and ICBM launches.

Re:How a Nuclear Submarine Officer Learned to Live in Tight ... by _ph_ on Thursday December 31, 2020 @02:21PM (#25596104)
Germany has submarines powered by hydrogen fuel cells. They get like a 30 day range with all the advantages of a nuclear sub, but not the problems of running a nuclear reactor. They are even more silent due to no reactor noises.
Re:How a Nuclear Submarine Officer Learned to Live in Tight ... by throwaway314158 on Thursday December 31, 2020 @03:59PM (#25597053)
Non-nuclear AIP diesel submarines have regularly defeated USN submarines in wargames. The US went nuclear because the subs are out on patrol for months at a time, all around the world. You don't need a nuclear-powered sub to defend your own coastline.
Re:How a Nuclear Submarine Officer Learned to Live in Tight ... by CapitalistCartr on Thursday December 31, 2020 @01:54PM (#25595777)
Diesel-electric subs are quieter and cheaper, and, yes, some countries still run them.

Here's an article about a new lithium-ion one:

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/37083/japan-just-launc...

Re:How a Nuclear Submarine Officer Learned to Live in Tight ... by 5555624 on Thursday December 31, 2020 @02:39PM (#25596269)
Argentina, Brazil, Iran, Chile, Taiwan. Australia, Canada, South Korea, Germany, and several others. A umber of these are older.

South Korea just launched the ROKS Ahn Mu, the second sub in its class, in November.

Australia's Attack class is beginning construction, with 12 subs to be delivered. They are planned to be in commission from 2030-2070.