Australia’s largest defence contract since World War II has been awarded to French shipbuilder DCNS to carry out at a high-tech port in South Australia.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced on 26 April 2016 that DCNS had won the AUD$50 billion project to build 12 submarines in Adelaide, South Australia. DCNS proposed its Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A design for the decades-long project.
“The French offer meets all the capability needs of Australia,” Prime Minister Turnbull said at the announcement from Techport Australia, a naval shipyard in the capital city of Adelaide.
The subs announcement not only brings to rest years of speculation on the massive defence contract, but also helps secure Australia’s transition into an advanced manufacturing nation. “The submarine project will transition us to a 21st century economy,” Prime Minister Turnbull said.
Australian Minister of Defence Marise Payne said the submarines were vital to Australia’s security as a maritime-based trading nation. The submarine build also secures South Australia’s position as the naval manufacturing base of Australia.
Last week the Australian government announced the first of the 12 Offshore Patrol Vessels will be built in Adelaide, on top of the nine Future Frigates already announced.
