Not Out To "Antagonise The French": Britain On Submarine Deal
NDTV
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said. "I understand France's disappointment... the Australians have taken this decision that they want to make a change.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace on Thursday said Britain was not out to "antagonise the French" but accepted their frustration about Australia's decision to scrap a submarine deal with Paris.
France has called Canberra's move "a stab in the back" after it abandoned a contract for diesel-powered subs in favour of nuclear-powered ones from the United States.
But Wallace told the BBC television: "I understand France's disappointment... the Australians have taken this decision that they want to make a change.
"We didn't go fishing for that but as a close ally, when the Australians approached us, of course we would consider it. I understand France's frustration about it."
