SEA 100 bids submitted as deadline expires

THE bids from the three countries vying to help Australia build a new fleet of navy submarines have been hand-delivered on old-fashioned computer disks to help ensure the security of the $50 billion project.

French shipbuilder DCNS and Germany’s TKMS lodged their tender documents in Canberra ahead of a 7pm deadline on Monday night.

Japanese Government officials gave their tender documents to Australian Government representatives in Tokyo on Monday afternoon.

Security concerns meant the tender documents containing technical and financial information had to be delivered by hand, with at least one bidder using CD-ROMs.

The Advertiser revealed last month that Chinese spies had attempted to hack sensitive information from the three bidders.

The Federal Government is expected to announce how many submarines it will order and its preferred bidder in the first half of next year.

Defence Minister Marise Payne said the bids would be evaluated by Defence Department experts before being considered by cabinet.

“We regard the Future Submarines as an essential component of capability — absolutely essential,’’ Senator Payne said

Senator Payne said the project offered a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Australian industry to innovate and be involved in the submarine build.

In Question Time, South Australian Labor Senator Alex Gallacher demanded that Senator Payne commit to fulfilling the Government’s pre-election promise to build 12 submarines at the ASC’s Osborne shipbuilding yard.

Senator Payne tried to turn the attack back on Labor by criticising the Rudd and Gillard governments for failing to commission any new naval vessels.

“If I hadn’t placed an order for one single naval vessel in six years I would be embarrassed too,’’ she said

Hundreds of people in France, Germany, Japan and Australia have been involved in preparing the three bids.

TKMS Australia chairman John White said his company would continue to do more work on the submarine project over the next few months in anticipation of winning the tender.

“After going through this intense process thyssenkrupp is totally confident that Australia has both the capacity and the capabilities to construct and deliver a new generation of submarines,’’ Dr White said.

“The submarine can be a core part of a viable national shipbuilding industry that brings local economic benefits and creates long term employment for skilled workers.”

DCNS Australia chief executive Sean Costello said his company’s proposal would help ensure Australia had a sovereign submarines-construction industry.

“We have worked as a team to create the best possible solution for Australia’s future,’’ Mr Costello said.

SA Defence Industries Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith said the Federal Government needed to order 12 submarines in order for a “continuous shipbuilding” program to be implemented.

“Defence strategists and economic experts agree that eight submarines will only provide a project, where as 12 submarines will secure a sustainable industry,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

All three countries were required to submit options for building the submarines in Australia, constructing them in their home countries and for a “hybrid-build’’.

 

Source:  The Advertiser