Australia chooses France for lucrative submarines contract

Australia chooses France for lucrative submarines contract
By Seamus Kearney
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below:Copy to clipboardCopied

Australia has chosen France to build a new fleet of submarines, rejecting Japanese and German bids

ADVERTISEMENT

Australia has chosen France to build a new fleet of submarines, turning down Japanese and German bids.

The lucrative contract to build 12 submarines has gone to the state-owned DCNS Group

It is being described as one of the world’s most lucrative defence contracts, worth the equivalent of 34 billion euros.

The Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, told reporters: “These submarines will be the most sophisticated naval vessels being built in the world and they will be built here, in Australia, with Australian jobs, Australian steel, Australian expertise and this will secure our future security.”

Shortfin Barracuda selection a pragmatic decision DefenceBusiness</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/dcnsgroup">dcnsgrouppic.twitter.com/gTIAenGh8x

— DCNS Australia (@DCNSAustralia) 26 April 2016

The awarding of the contract to France is a blow to Germany and Japan, which has been attempting to boost its military exports.

The Japanese bid had earlier been seen as a frontrunner, but there appeared to be initial reluctance to build the submarines in Australia.

The French have offered a diesel-electric version of their Barracuda nuclear-powered submarine.

Share this articleComments

You might also like

Rain floods southern France for third time in six months

More than 8 tonnes of cocaine seized in Caribbean

Inside Marseille’s deadly drug wars: Why are youths killing youths?