• "Aukus" pact: France recalls ambassadors, consultations

  • US-Gb-Australia, anti-China pact: agreement with France for submarine supply skips

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19 September 2021The submarine crisis "will weigh on the future of NATO", says French Foreign Minister Le Drian, speaking of a "serious breach of confidence". And he underlines: "For the first time in history between the US and France we called our ambassador back for consultations; a heavy political act that represents the gravity" of the situation.



Premier Australia, deep reserves on French submarines


Australia was "frank, open and honest" with France about concerns over a large deal to purchase French submarines - which exceeded budget and expected years to lag - before wresting the deal, he said. today Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton. Speaking to Sky News Australia, Dutton said he understood the "annoyance of the French", but added that "the suggestions that the Australian government would not report its concerns challenge, frankly, what is on record and certainly what it is. which has been said publicly for a long time: the government has had these problems, we have expressed them and we want to work closely with the French and we will continue to do so in the future, "he said. 



France is furious at Australia's decision to withdraw from an AU $ 90 billion (€ 56 billion) contract to purchase French submarines for US nuclear-powered vessels. He recalled his ambassadors in Canberra and Washington and accused his allies of "lying" about their plans. Dutton said he personally expressed those concerns to his French counterpart Florence Parly and emphasized the "need for Australia to act in its national interest," which he said is to purchase nuclear-powered submarines. According to Dutton, Canberra was unable to purchase French ones because they need to be refilled, unlike US submarines:therefore only the latter are suitable for nuclear-free Australia.