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.
![Angry X(](./images/smilies/14.gif)
![Rolling on the floor =))](./images/smilies/24.gif)
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'...
![Wink ;)))](./images/smilies/3.gif)