https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... tract.html
The Aussies have been in negotiations with the French for quite a while about buying conventional boats. The contract was due to be celebrated at a major French crowing event which also happened to commemorate the 240th anniversary of the French defeating the British at the Battle of the Capes in 1781 when they helped the Colonies in the Independence Wars. Mon Dieu! - the contract is lost and a major sulk follows with a dinner cancelled which was going to celebrate their close friendship with America. Quel dommage mes petits coqs.
The RAN naturally sees the Pacific as a daunting prospect for operations with conventional subs in these days of sophisticated detection equipment and wants the flexibility that nuclear boats offer. It has nothing to do with an increasingly belligerent China and its bullying of Australia of course.
I wonder how much of this work will flow to the UK despite any warm feelings due to the 'special relationship'...
Major French Sulk Underway over Sub Contract
Re: Major French Sulk Underway over Sub Contract
Given that most Australians could not understand why we went conventional powered boats and not nuclear was questioned at the time.Finding out now
the Froggy contract would be $40 million over budget and 10years over contract, may have had some of the dopey politicians rethinking their original choice.
the Froggy contract would be $40 million over budget and 10years over contract, may have had some of the dopey politicians rethinking their original choice.
Re: Major French Sulk Underway over Sub Contract
From the Australian version of the Spectator, showing how long this has been dragging on for. The French were trying to sell the RAN a nuclear sub re-designed as a conventional boat. https://app.spectator.com.au/2018/11/su ... index.html