One of Australia’s Collins class submarines which are to be replaced.By Hugh White*
MANY people in Canberra think we should partner with Japan to build our new submarines, whether or not they offer the best boats for the money, because Japan’s bid is much more than a commercial deal. It’s the basis for a closer strategic commitment as well, so they think we’d get two birds with one stone. But there are big risks in this, both to our submarine capability and to our relations with Japan.
