Australian Attack-class programme besieged by issues
Long overdue, the Australian government is finally ready to sign an overarching strategic partnering agreement (SPA) with Naval Group for construction of 12 new submarines, but this document will still not be inked until February 2019.
Defence Minister Christopher Pyne said: ‘I congratulate everyone involved in achieving this significant milestone. The SPA will be signed in early 2019 and will govern the delivery of the Future Submarines over the decades to come.’
Negotiations concluded at a National Security Committee meeting in Melbourne on 10 December.
When defence ministers are forced to congratulate parties for simply approaching the point of
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