Ambassador of France: Australia made a “huge mistake” by canceling the submarine contract

The French ambassador to Australia strongly reprimanded the country’s decision to cancel a submarine contract with France, calling it a “huge mistake”, according to an Associated Press report.

Ambassador Jean-Pierre Thebault said the initial deal was based on sincerity and trust. However, said the diplomat, “It was a huge mistake, a very, very mismanagement of the partnership,” according to the newswire.

“I wish I could stumble upon a time machine and be in a situation where we won’t find ourselves in such an incredible, awkward, inadequate, un-Australian situation,” said Thebault.

Earlier this week, a trilateral agreement between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom was announced, in which the United States and the United Kingdom would help Australia acquire nuclear submarines and include cooperation in areas such as underwater capabilities, artificial intelligence and quantum technology.

According to the Australian Department of Defense, Australia will acquire at least eight nuclear submarines under the deal.

The deal is a blow to France, which was to help supply 12 diesel-electric submarines in a deal worth around $ 66 billion, the AP noted.

Thebault’s comments were made as he left Canberra, Australia for a flight to Doha, Qatar.

France had taken the decision on Friday to recall its ambassadors to the United States and Australia in protest. France claimed it had been caught off guard by the trilateral agreement between the United States and the other countries, and French officials said they only learned about the agreement through reports.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he raised concerns about the capacity of conventional submarines when he spoke with French President Emanuel Macron earlier this summer. But Thebault claimed a move to nuclear submarines was not indicated by Morris, the AP noted.

“Australia understands France’s deep disappointment at our decision, which was taken in accordance with our clear and communicated national security interests,” Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne’s office said in a statement ahead of the About Thebault, according to the AP.