Japan wants Australia to explain why it did not pick its submarine design, choosing French bid instead

French naval contractor DCNS's new US$40 billion submarine contract with Australia provides a welcome boost for France's economy, and its president.
France has beaten Japan and Germany to win a A$50 billion (US$40 billion) deal to build a fleet of 12 new submarines for Australia. It's one of the world's most lucrative defence contracts and the loss is a blow to Japan.
French submarine Shortfin Barracuda, designed by the DCNS group. PHOTO: EPA
Updated
Apr 27, 2016, 04:21 PM
Published
Apr 26, 2016, 02:27 PM

TOKYO (REUTERS) - Japan wants Australia to explain why it decided not to pick a Japanese design for a new fleet of submarines choosing instead a proposal from France's DCNS.

"The decision was deeply regrettable," said Japan's Minister of Defence Gen Nakatani. "We will ask Australia to explain why they didn't pick our design," he added.

Australian officials informed Japan of its choice on Monday (April 25), explaining that the French design best fitted its unique needs, Mr Nakatani said.

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