Australia

Defence Department secretary Greg Moriarty confirmed the $90 billion French-designed submarine project could be cancelled amid tensions between Australia and shipbuilder Naval Group. Appearing at Senate estimates on Wednesday morning, Mr Moriarty said “prudent contingency planning” was underway as a backup to the Attack class submarine that Naval Group was designing.

Defence secretary Greg Moriarty told Senate estimates that the department was conducting a “prudent” review of alternatives to the future submarine program. Alex Ellinghausen

“It’s prudent that Defence is looking at alternatives if we are unable to proceed with [the] Attack [class],” Mr Moriarty said in response to a series of questions from Labor senator Penny Wong and independent Senator Rex Patrick.

“We are very committed to delivering the Attack but it is appropriate that we would be looking at alternatives if we are unable to proceed...MORE