"In National Security's Interest": Australia Confirms Withdrawal From France Submarine Deal
NDTV
The announcement was described as "regrettable" by the French government and met with "disappointment" by French firm Naval Group.
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed Thursday the country has scrapped a Aus$90 billion (US$66 billion) submarine deal with France, instead building nuclear-powered subs using US and British technology.
"The decision we have made to not continue with the Attack Class submarine and to go down this path is not a change of mind, it's a change of need," he said.
The announcement confirmed a decision, which has been described as "regrettable" by the French government and met with "disappointment" by French firm Naval Group, which had been contracted to build 12 state-of-the-art Attack Class subs.
Morrison said France "remains an incredibly important partner in the Pacific" but acknowledged the relationship between Canberra and Paris has now taken a hit.
