French defense contractor DCNS has suggested an industry collaboration with the German technology corporation ThyssenKrupp.
“We are ready for talks, as soon as the German side has gotten over the loss”, DCNS chief Andreas Loewenstein told the German Süddeutsche Zeitung, reflecting back on the Australian submarine bid.
Numerous media inquires regarding the proposal were left unanswered by ThyssenKrupp.
To remind, the two industry giants recently squared off against each other, and against Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, for the Australian AU$50 billion contract to build the nation’s new fleet of submarines.
The French state-owned shipbuilder was selected over the other two bidders.
According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, DCNS is ready to offer a “strategic position” to its German counterpart. Loewenstein told the news agency that the intended goal of the proposal was to build a lasting, viable European industry.