DCNS picked to design Australian submarines

CANBERRA, Australia, April 26 (UPI) -- French naval shipbuilder DCNS has been selected as the preferred international partner for designing future submarines for Australia.

The selection was announced Tuesday by the government, which said the future diesel-electric submarines would be built in Adelaide, South Australia.

"The decision was driven by DCNS's ability to best meet all of the Australian Government's requirements," the government said. "These included superior sensor performance and stealth characteristics, as well as range and endurance similar to the Collins Class submarine. The Government's considerations also included cost, schedule, program execution, through-life support and Australian industry involvement."

"This success has been made possible thanks to the strong teamwork between the French Authorities, DCNS and our industrial partners," said DCNS Chairman and CEO Herve Guillou.

"France and Australia have been allies for more than 100 years and we look forward to further strengthening this time honored relationship and honoring the trust the Australian Commonwealth Government is placing in us for this ground-breaking project."

Australia plans to invest more than $38.5 billion in the program for 12 new submarines. The build is expected to directly sustain about 1,100 Australian jobs and sustain 1,700 more through the program's supply chain.