Canberra had canceled, in September 2021, a $ 40 billion contract (38 billion euros) for the benefit of a partnership with the United States and Great Britain, causing a diplomatic crisis with Paris.
Le Monde with AFP
Compensation of 555 million euros will be paid by Australia to the Industrial Naval Group to put an end to the affair of the French submarines, announced the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, Saturday 11 June.
The French group, mainly detained by the French State, and whose Thales is also a shareholder up to 35 %, accepted “a fair and fair regulation” of 555 million euros, said the new head of government , for the breakdown of the gigantic contract of 56 billion euros, which had caused a diplomatic crisis between Paris and Canberra last fall.
In a press release published on Saturday, Naval Group also said it has signed “a fair agreement putting an end to the program of future Australian submarine” with Canberra, without giving more details.
In September 2021, Australian Prime Minister at the time, Scott Morrison, suddenly ended the $ 40 billion contract (38 billion euros) passed with Naval Group to acquire twelve French nuclear submarines. The Head of Government announced that his country would buy submarines with American or British nuclear propulsion, a major change for a country with low nuclear capacities.
uncertainty about the reception of devices
m. Morrison then attracted the wrath of French President Emmanuel Macron who accused him of deception. Relations between the two countries have remained freezing until the election in May of Mr. Albanese, center left. The latter specified that this regulation took place after discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron whom he thanked for the cordial manner whose relations between Australia and France have been restored.
The submarine contract constitutes the centerpiece of the Australian defense strategy in the face of a growing China in the region under the presidency of Xi Jinping. Nuclear propulsion submarines could allow Australia to operate more furtively and more dissuasive vis-à-vis China.
But great uncertainty reigns over the deadline to which Australia can actually have these devices. The first American or British submarine will probably not be in service before decades, which will leave a void for Australia whose current fleet is aging.