Australia and France have officially signed an agreement on Australia’s Future Submarine program that will see French shipbuilder DCNS build 12 Shortfin Barracuda submarines for the Australian Navy.
Australian Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne and France’s Minister of Defence, Mr Jean-Yves Le Drian, today welcomed the signing of the agreement on December 20.
“This historic agreement builds on the strength and depth of the Australia-France defence relationship and is another significant step forward for Australia’s Future Submarine program,” Minister Payne said.
In April 2016, DCNS was chosen as the prime contractor for the construction of submarines that will cost AUD 50 billion.
“The agreement signed today will enable France to transfer cutting-edge skills, knowledge and technology to the Australian Government and Australian industry to achieve a sovereign operational and sustainment submarine capability in Australia,” Payne added.
Minister Le Drian said France was committed to working with Australia to deliver a regionally superior sovereign submarine capability. “I am pleased to sign this agreement today and I thank Australia for hosting today’s historic event,” Minister Le Drian said.