They're now known as the most lethal conventional submarines in the world, but not so long ago, they were 'Beazley's Blunder' and the 'Dud subs'. Australia's largest, most expensive and controversial military project, cost $6 billion. In 2003, the 20 year project delivered Australia six Collins class submarines. Later today, a remarkable 'warts and all' official history of the project, The Collins Class Submarine Story: Steel, Spies and Spin, will be launched in Sydney by Kim Beazley. Fran Kelly interviews Kim Beazley, professorial fellow in political science and international relations at the University of Western Australia. Former Labor leader and Defence Minister.
