Will Japanese Subs Be Built in Australia?

By Franz-Stefan Gady

March 31, 2015

http://thediplomat.com/2015/03/will-japanese-subs-be-built-in-australia/

Remarks by a retired Japanese Vice Admiral could be a “game changer” in the race for Australia’s biggest-ever arms deal. 

Japan is perhaps softening its stance vis-à-vis the possible construction of Soryu-class submarines in Australia, according to Reuters. Last week, retired Japanese Vice Admiral Yoji Koda stated at Australia’s Future Submarine Summit that perhaps only the first out of a dozen such vessels could be built in Japan.

“At least some boats should be built in this country [Australia] (…) I used to be heavily involved in defense force planning … Maybe the best way is proportional to the number of ships to be built,” the Vice Admiral said.