German sub builder warns Australia of Japanese risk

[unhappycamper]

http://atimes.com/2016/03/german-submarine-builder-warns-australia-of-japanese-risk/



German ThysennKrupp diesel sub

German sub builder warns Australia of Japanese risk
By AT Editor on March 17, 2016

A German executive vying for a lucrative Australian submarine contract on Thursday said that awarding the contract to Japan could damage Australia’s relationship with China.

German’s ThysennKrupp Marine Systems, Japan’s Mitsubishi and French company DCNS are in the running to build 12 conventional submarines that the Australian navy expects will cost at least 56 billion Australian dollars ($43 billion). The government expects to award the contract this year, with Japan regarded as a favorite early in the bidding process due to its close military relationship with Australia and the Unites States.

Hans Atzpodien, the German company’s chairman, described the Japanese bid as a choice for Australia between its relationship with China, its biggest trading partner, and Japan, its second biggest partner.

“Maybe it is an advantage dealing with us not to be in a position where you have to — let’s say — decide between certain heavyweights of the Pacific area,” Atzpodien told Australia’s National Press Club.

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It will be interesting to see how Australia will pay for this as their economy is in the shitter.