A hostile and embittered France could greatly complicate Australia’s relationship with the EU and undermine our geopolitical aims in the Indo-Pacific, writes former UN Assistant Secretary-General Ramesh Thakur.
Australia confirmed last week it will pay a hefty €555million in compensation to French shipbuilder Naval Group after the Morrison government cancelled a lucrative contract to build 12 submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.
It chose an existing nuclear-powered design but demanded it be reconfigured into a diesel electric vessel with a substantial manufacturing component based in Adelaide. Eight nuclear-propelled submarines combining the best of technology, weapons and systems from two long-standing allies, with whom Australian forces operate in complete comfort, is eminently fit for purpose.
Then-Prime Minister Scott Morison neither grasped the wound to French national pride nor understood the damage to critical French interests that dovetail with core Australian interests going forward. In effect Australia changed its mind and left France in the lurch, its entire long-term regional strategy in tatters.
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