The French DCNS won a contract giant 34 billion for submarines – The World

Le Monde | 26/04/2016 at 4:46 • Updated 26/04/2016 at 8:13 | By Dominique Gallois and Caroline Taïx (Sydney, correspondence)

the Japanese were gone favorites, quickly closely followed by the German TKMS, and it is ultimately the french DCNS as Australia retained Tuesday, April 26 to build twelve oceanic submarines. The budget for this defense program billed as the largest in the history of the country is estimated at 50 billion Australian dollars, or 34.3 billion euros, including design, technology transfer, production, system combat and maintenance during twenty-five years

“the recommendations during the tender evaluation process (…) were unequivocal. the French offer is the most likely to meet the unique needs of Australia “, said the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, to the shipyards of Adelaide, South Australia. “These submarines will be the most sophisticated in the world, and they will be built here in Australia” added Mr. Turnbull.

The Elysee was immediately welcomed in a statement that choice “history”

“It marks a decisive step in the strategic partnership between the two countries, which will cooperate for fifty years on the major element of sovereignty that represents the submarine capability. “

France is ” proud of the technological excellence ‘ which its companies have demonstrated during this selection, said the Elysee. “This new success will create jobs and development in France and Australia. “

The exclusive negotiations between DCNS and the Australian government will begin to define the modalities of this program. They should be completed in early 2017; the commissioning of the first submarine is scheduled for 2030. These buildings will replace the fleet of six Collins submarines.

Made in Adelaide

the selection process started in February 2015. the future submarine derived from the Barracuda french but will have a propulsion diesel and non-nuclear, will be manufactured in the shipyards of Adelaide, which is expected to create 2 800 jobs. In France, it will mobilize more than 4 000 people for six years at DCNS and its 200 subcontractors, mainly for the shipbuilder on sites Cherbourg, Nantes and Lorient. The share of French industry is estimated at 8 billion euros.

The Germans, who also proposed to build in Australia, had the handicap of never having designed submarines of the class of 4 000 tonnes demanded by Canberra, twice the size of the buildings they produce. As for the Japanese, the doubts concerned their ability to build out of their country’s defense equipment, which they never did. Strategically, the Australians sought a partner with the same type of buildings to travel long distances, which are not the Germans, for their submarines rather to protect estuaries in the Baltic and the mouth of the North sea. There was also a long-term partnership, what France can guarantee, the last submarine of the current program will be removed from service 2085. Finally, entrust it to the Japanese defense program could upset China, the first partner trade of Australia.

the choice of the Australian state was to be announced in June, but deadlines were shortened because of early elections should be held in early July in the country. Mr Turnbull, leader of the Liberal Party of Australia, has announced April 19 that he intended to dissolve the House of Representatives and the Senate after the budget presentation to be held on May 3 The announcement of the construction of submarines in South Australia should serve his camp during the election campaign, because that State is the one that has the highest unemployment rate in Australia (7.7% in February). The defense industry and especially the theme of innovation are dear to Mr Turnbull, who could not have better example than submarines to demonstrate its commitment to fulfill its promises.

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