Australia’s Future Submarine Sea 1000 programme, which will replace its ageing fleet of Collins-class vessels, took another turn with Saab making a last minute offer for the work. The company has not made an official bid but claims to be talking to the Australian government about its capabilities.
It’s been a turbulent time for the programme as controversy erupted last month when a touring group of 16 Japanese submarine engineers and defence specialists apparently visited Adelaide-based shipbuilding company ASC without consulting local officials.
South Australian Defence Industries Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith claimed to be unaware of the visit and expressed indignation over its “secrecy”.
The tour provoked a backlash as the Future Submarine project has been lobbied to ensure local industry benefits from the majority of the work. As the submarines may employ Japanese technology, fears that manufacturing could be sent overseas have shadowed press attention.
The government responded that the visit was merely “business as usual”, suggesting that not all collaborative business or political visits are deemed necessary to communicate with local governments.
Australia recently signed a new defence science and technology agreement with Japan to mutually enhance systems.
A decision over the Collins replacement is expected to be announced in early 2015 at the latest.
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