France eyeing joint bid with Japan to build Aussie subs: report
SYDNEY – France is exploring the possibility of collaborating with Japan to win a contract to build new Australian submarines, a major newspaper reported Monday.
“It is possible French-Japanese collaboration could be discussed when French Prime Minister Manuel Valls visits Japan in October,” the Australian said.
It quoted a senior French government source as saying that “France and Japan could offer something together for a contract seen as ‘strategically important.’ ”
Australia plans to choose a partner by the end of this year for the construction of up to 12 submarines from among Japan, France and Germany after comparing their technologies.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Soryu-class subs are seen as a prime candidate to replace Australia’s Collins-class vessels. However, some experts have warned that a decision to award the contract to Japan could anger China, Australia’s largest trading partner.
Australia may be able to avoid any Chinese backlash by not awarding the contract solely to Japan, sources familiar with the matter said...... to read more