A serious diplomatic crisis. Following the breach of the “contract of the century” to supply French submarines to Australia, the French authorities canceled a gala evening scheduled for Friday in Washington, an official said on condition of anonymity.
This reception, at the residence of the French Ambassador in Washington, was supposed to celebrate the anniversary of a decisive naval battle of the United States War of Independence, concluded with a victory for the French fleet over the British fleet. , September 5, 1781.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Thursday the termination of a gigantic contract of 90 billion Australian dollars (56 billion euros) concluded in 2016 with France for the supply of conventional submarines. Canberra preferred to conclude a strategic partnership with the United States and Great Britain including in particular the delivery of nuclear-powered submarines by Washington, “a blow in the back” regretted the head of French diplomacy Jean-Yves Le Drian on France Info.
“The French had a version which was not superior to that used by the United States and the United Kingdom”
“We needed a nuclear powered submarine and we looked at our options,” he said at a press conference. “The French had a version that was no better than that used by the US and UK, and ultimately our decision was based on what is in the best interests of our country. national security. ”, for his part justified the Australian Minister of Defense, Peter Dutton.