France wins contract submarine Australia $ 50 billion

Artists impression of the submarine Shortfin Barracuda and dolphinImage Australia copyrightDCNS
France won the A $ 50 billion contract (€ 34 billion £ 27 billion) to build 12 submarines for the Royal Australian Navy, beating bids from Japan and Germany.

The deal, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, is the largest contract in the history of Australia's defense.

Submarines Shortfin Barracuda will be built in Adelaide with the Australian steel, creating 2,800 jobs, he said.

Japan, which has been a leader in the competition, said the decision was "deep regret."

Defense Minister Gen. Nakatani said Japan will "ask Australia to explain why they have chosen our project."

Mr Turnbull said the decision, the result of the bidding process of 15 months, were "securing the future of naval fleet in Australia for a decade."

"Australian workers will build submarines with Australian Australian steel."