Despite Royal Australian Navy claims to the contrary, the country is currently without a single operational submarine to defend the nation, reports the Australian.

The Australian Navy claims that two submarines, HMAS Waller and HMAS Dechaineux, are available, but navy insiders allege that they are currently undergoing detailed inspections for mechanical problems and are not task-ready.

HMAS Dechaineux has been found with defects in its propulsion system and will be unable to sail for several weeks.

The other four submarines, HMAS Farncomb, HMAS Collins, HMAS Sheean and HMAS Rankin are currently undergoing scheduled maintenance programmes.

According to the report, the navy has even deferred a planned maintenance work on its HMAS Waller submarine to make available at least one submarine in the coming weeks.