Photo : SCMP
20 September 2021
IN FOCUS
By Vaishnavi Iyer
Profile: The Failed France-Australia Submarine Deal
In 2016, The Franco-Australian 90 billion (USD) Submarine deal was signed under the socialist president Francois Hollande. The aim was to establish a strategic partnership agreement with Australia. The Australian Navy’s 6 Collins-class submarines are set to end service in 2036. Thus, it was essential for Australia to invest in a deal in face of an assertive China in the Indo-Pacific region. France has nearly two million of its population living in the Indo-pacific, inclusive of New Caledonia and French Polynesia. Nearly 7000 French soldiers patrol the South China Sea. In the submarine deal of 2016, Australia chose France over Japan and Germany to replace its old submarines with 12 diesel-electric submarines.
It was confirmed by the French government on numerous occasions that the deal was still in action. In a meeting on 30 August, both countries had made specific references to the important future submarine programme and deepening defence operations. Two weeks later, the Australian counterpart tore up the deal. At a point in time, the Australian government referred to the Future Submarine project as one of the most complex and largest defence acquisitions in the history of the nation. This was a counter to China’s growing military fleet which had doubled since 2015. However, the deal was torn up owing to the same reason. Australia expressed no regret in mentioning that the French Submarine would not be able to provide for the level of defence required against the Chinese counterparts, which are now the largest navy in the region. While Australia cancelled the deal over the inadequacy of the French Submarines; the deal is to be understood as a non-commercial contract for France as well. The deal would have allowed France to underpin its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The present deal (AUKUS) will enable the US and UK to share cutting edge technology with Australia, including artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. Essentially, it will consist of security and military capability enhancements. The eight nuclear-powered submarines will be in operation by the Royal Australian Navy. In the future, Australia is set to acquire long-range missiles for its armed forces. The new deal seems more beneficial for Australia given the nuclear technology information access enabled by the US. Moreover, the new deal is significant in terms of the allies coming together after the Second World war; making the deal comparatively historic, or rather as historic as sharing the deal with France. Thus, in terms of the technological and historic benefits; the AUKUS deal promises more significance and power for Australia in the Indo-Pacific region than the now failed French deal.
References:
C. Raja Mohan, “Expert Explains: Why the defence deal among US, Australia and UK has irked France”, The Economist, 20 September 2021.
Lidia Kelly and John Mair, “Australia defends scrapping of French submarine deal, Macron and Biden to talk”, Reuters, 19 September 2021.
“How a submarine deal sparked a major diplomatic crisis”, Al Jazeera, 19 September 2021.
IN BRIEF
by Joeana Cera Matthews
REGIONAL
Russia: Election’s near final results suggest pro-Kremlin party win
On 19 September, Russia completed its three-day parliamentary election polling process. Amidst allegations of voting violations and other fraudulent activities, the results pointed towards the ruling pro-Kremlin United Russia party garnering an overwhelming majority. With just 0.1 per cent of ballots uncounted, the Central Election Commission released that United Russia won 50 per cent of the votes in comparison to the almost 19 per cent garnered by rivaling Communist Party. Calling the elections unfair and undemocratic, statements were released from the US State Department, the British Foreign Ministry, and the EU Foreign Policy Chief. Russian voting authorities, however, maintain that those voting stations which witnessed irregularities had their results voided, implying a fair election. Final results are expected to be declared this Friday while Putin is yet to make announcements for contesting any post. (“Rivals allege mass fraud as Russian pro-Putin party wins big majority”, Reuters, 20 September 2021)
Spain: Volcano erupts on La Palma of Canary Islands; evacuations underway
On 19 September, a volcano located on La Palma — the fifth-largest island in Spain’s Canary Islands— erupted following heightened seismic activity for over a week. Around 5000 people were evacuated from the region, and no fatalities have been reported. One of the most active volcanoes in the archipelago, more than 22000 tremors measured at 3.8-magnitude were felt on the surface. Seismologists maintain that the duration of the eruption is unpredictable as previous records read that they lasted from weeks to months. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the site and promised state support to La Palma. (“Canary Islands: Volcano eruption on La Palma destroys homes, no injuries”, Deutsche Welle, 19 September 2021)
LGBTQIA+
Ukraine: Kyiv’s annual Pride march attended by over 7000
On 19 September, over 7000 people attended the annual March for Equality supporting the rights of the LGBTQ community in Kyiv. Concerns of violence loomed large as around 100 far-right activists counter-demonstrated in a nearby park. However, the country’s tenth Pride rally occurred without any trouble. Carrying banners that read, ‘Fight for right!’, which referred to eight demands made to Ukrainian authorities, the marchers called for substantial changes to be made with regard to how they were treated. Last year's parade had been cancelled due to the pandemic. (“Ukraine: Thousands march for LGBTQ rights”, Deutsche Welle, 19 September 2021)
INTERNATIONAL
AUKUS: France continues backlash over failed submarine deal
On 19 September, the aftermath of the AUKUS deal continued with the French defense minister canceling a meeting scheduled with her British counterpart. Meanwhile, in an attempt to mend Anglo-French relations, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Our love for France is ineradicable.” On the US President Joe Biden’s request, a telephonic conversation between him and French President Emmanuel Macron is also expected. However, the French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian accused the US and Australia of ‘duplicity, disdain and lies’ while adding that Britain looked like a ‘third wheel’ in the entire deal. (“France accuses US, Australia of ‘duplicity’ over submarine deal collapse”, Deutsche Welle, 19 September 2021; “France scorned: Allies seek to soften submarine contract fallout”, Deutsche Welle, 20 September 2021)
Also read…
On 13 September, a Washington Post editorial talked about the legacy of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Calling her the ‘doyenne of European politics’, the article mentions how Merkel’s legacy is a complicated one to decipher. An equally praised and criticized politician who has been repeatedly termed as one among the most influential women of her times, Merkel’s departure is expected to leave a political vacuum. Attempts by Merkel to place Germany as the bridge between Eastern and Western Europe, the article reads, stem from her personal experiences. Further on, it portrays Merkel’s efficient leadership that helped battle the successive crises which struck Europe — from the late 2009 eurozone debt crisis to the recent pandemic. Though it divided Europe, her decision to open Germany to the Syrians during the 2015 migrant surge is considered to be her greatest achievement. Merkel’s ability to separate the nefarious activities of China and Russia from interfering in trade and economics factors into her uniqueness. Marking the end of an era, the article concludes with one of Merkel’s modest replies — she wants to go down in history as ‘someone who tried’. (Loveday Morris, “After 16 years, Germany’s Merkel is stepping down. Here’s how she built her legacy.”, The Washington Post, 13 September 2021)