Europe 1 with AFP 9:46 a.m., September 19, 2021
While France's anger does not abate after Australia's breach of the contract of the century which provided for the delivery of twelve French submarines to the Australian government, the latter has decided to retaliate. On Sunday, the country's Prime Minister Scott Morrisson said Canberra had "deep and serious reservations" about French submarines.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Sunday that the French government knew Canberra had "deep and serious reservations" about French submarines, before the purchase agreement was severed last week. Scott Morrison said he understood the "disappointment" of the French government, but added that he raised the issues with the deal "a few months ago" like other ministers in the Australian government.
"I think they would have had every reason to know that we had deep and serious reservations that the capabilities of the Attack-class submarine did not meet our strategic interests and we had made it clear that we would take a decision based on our national strategic interest, "he told a press conference in Sydney.
"Putting Australia's national interest first"
Scott Morrison said it would have been "negligent" to go ahead with the contract despite advice from Australia's Defense and Intelligence Services, who felt it would run counter to the strategic interests of the United States. Australia. "I don't regret the decision to put Australia's national interest first. I will never regret it," he said.
Speaking to Sky News Australia earlier Sunday, Defense Minister Peter Dutton said his government had been "outspoken, open and honest" with France over concerns over the deal, which has gone beyond budget and years behind.
The minister said he understood the "annoyance of the French", but that "the suggestions that the Australian government has not reported its concerns defy, frankly, what is on the public record and certainly what has been said publicly for a long time. long period".
French nuclear submarines out of reach
France is furious at Australia's decision to withdraw from a 90 billion Australian dollars (56 billion euros) contract for the purchase of French submarines in favor of US nuclear-powered ships. She recalled her ambassadors in Canberra and Washington and accused her allies of "lying" about their plans. Peter Dutton said he personally expressed these concerns to his French counterpart, Florence Parly, and stressed the "need for Australia to act in its national interest", which he said is to acquire the powered submarines. nuclear.
According to Peter Dutton, Canberra was unable to buy French nuclear-powered ships, due to maintenance operations that must take place every ten years, which include a reloading of nuclear fuel, which is not the case of the American submarines and justifies the choice of the latter, whereas Australia does not have any nuclear power station.