Japan to Hand Over Data Ahead of Australia Submarine Bid
bid for such contractors as Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. Japan had been the front runner in the planned sale of around 12 vessels, for as much as $40 billion, to replace Australia's ageing Collins class submarines, sources have said, until Prime Minister Tony Abbott opened up the bidding under pressure from opposition and ruling party lawmakers. The prospect of an open bid against other countries, in turn, made Japanese defence officials uneasy in a country where post-war pacifism remains strong. Competing for arms exports could help opponents of Prime
Submerged Politics in Aussie's $39 bln Submarine Plan
and Japan in submitting tenders for submarine fleet, as part of a proposal to end political gridlock on the project. The Government has rejected a Labor proposal to further open up the submarine tender process as "complete fantasy" and a "mirage". Prime Minister Tony Abbott has dismissed the Labor plan warning the nation could be left without any operational vessels. He also reminded Labor it had six years in government from late 2007 to make a decision about replacing the Collins class fleet. Under Labor’s plan, there would be an open tender process
Australian PM Holding Talks on Sub Purchase
Australia is holding talks with a number of countries on a contract to build replacements for Australia's aging submarine fleet, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Sunday at the G20 leaders Summit in Brisbane. Japan has been seen as the front-runner to sell Australia as many as 12 stealth submarines, but strong interest from manufacturers in Sweden, Germany and France and domestic political pressure has led to calls for his government to hold an open tender. (Reporting by Matt Siegel; Editing by Eric Meijer)
February 2024
