Quote:

A Japanese consortium eyeing a A$50 billion (US$35.68 billion) contract to build submarines for Australia irked local suppliers by failing to share key information about its proposal or discuss specific collaboration possibilities during a visit last week, executives at Australian firms said. The apparent missteps underscore Japan’s inexperience in bidding for global defense deals after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ended a decades-old ban on weapons exports last year as part of his more muscular security agenda. Japanese defense officials and executives from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries visited Adelaide, an Australian ship-building hub, to lobby for one of the world’s most lucrative defense contracts. The consortium’s unwillingness during the trip to commit to building the 12 submarines in Australia, where manufacturing jobs are a hot-button political issue, was criticized by local politicians and labor unions. Adding to the view among experts that Japan has lost ground to European rivals after once being seen as the frontrunner for the deal was the delegation’s refusal to discuss the process by which local suppliers could propose collaboration on the project. At a briefing open to the media on Wednesday last week for scores of manufacturers Australian defense expert Rex Patrick asked the delegation how potential suppliers could engage with the delegation privately to explore cooperation opportunities, a practice experts told reporters was common and expected. The Japanese delegation responded by saying that discussing such “teaming” arrangements before the contract was awarded was not allowed under the bidding process. However, Rear Admiral Greg Sammut, head of the Future Submarine Program at the Australian Department of Defense, said that while bidders were not allowed to sign exclusive deals with suppliers during bidding, specific talks about future collaboration were fine. “This does not prevent any of the participants from engaging with industry and talking to industry about their capability and how they might be able to collaborate in the future,” Sammut said by telephone from Canberra. Three Australian defense contractors who attended the briefing said that talks on specific collaboration were essential, adding that they were rebuffed when they sought one-on-one meetings. The Japanese presentation also lacked key details, they said. In particular, the delegation had not shared information on which submarine components might be open to Australian manufacturers to supply, they added. The executives, from companies that make precision pumps for advanced surveillance and weapons systems, declined to be identified for fear of jeopardizing their chances in winning work on the project. By comparison, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) of Germany and France’s state-controlled naval contractor DCNS have said they would build the submarines entirely in Australia. They have also courted the Australian defense industry and said their bids would detail local supply chain involvement. “I do not think [the Japanese] have any idea how to engage. TKMS and DCNS have done this in ... lots of places [around the world],” said the director of one local defense contractor who attended the briefing. Japan has declined to commit to an Australian build, citing rules requiring each of the bidders to provide three estimates: one for construction overseas, one for a partial assembly in Australia and one for a full build in an Australian shipyard. Time is running out for Japan, with an expert advisory council expected to deliver its recommendation on the bids to the Australian government in November. Members of the Japanese delegation said the visit went well.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2015/09/02/2003626771/2

I don't think Australian government or defence agencies understand how critical the secrecy of this item is to Japan and international military security.

Japan is right there on the front lines if a potential high technology war breaks out with China, the last remaining capable entity who is not aligned with allied nations.

Collins class submarines came from Sweden. The Soviet Union is gone, Russian military has downsized, new developments in Russia have halted and the West has access to all Soviet technology due to entire countries, including East Germany, defecting from the Soviet Union to NATO.

Therefore, the considerations with a Swedish design are far removed from anything similar to a Japanese one.

Criticising the Japanese military for not releasing data of a top secret weapons system is misguided and not going to do any good for future defence relations with Japan. I am appalled that these people were empowered to make these statements publicly.

Also, working in defence, they would have to be aware of the risks of espionage. Complaining that they were not allowed to interview the Japanese individually highlights perhaps they were attempting to compromise Japanese officials with Australian backing.

Complaining about not being allowed to know the details of a pumping system is a major issue.

Any small piece of information can be pieced together to provide a bigger picture.

And now they are criticising Japan in regards to matters of extreme secrecy. These are not 'confidential business minutes'. These are matters of extreme sensitivity involving potential widespread loss of life and force projection.

Quote:

"Releasing the core technology is not an option for Japan," he said. "We're worried about leaks to China once our technology is in Australia.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-03/australia-not-capable-of-top-secret-soryu-submarine-build/6517730

Where's the money coming from?.   :(

It's contributing to funding my extravagant lifestyle.

Bring back Tony Abbott!

You will have to settle for Turncoat.   :(

His comments today on the Chinese military are funding my extravagant lifestyle.

Any time Australian representatives, politicians or government policy has anything to do with China or foreign militaries or Asia, I get to go and get involved.

So, my extravagant lifestyle is maintained.

Yes, I am complaining.

Because Australian stuff is embarrassing and they aren't meant to be involved with my planet. They should go and worry about the naval capabilities of asylum seekers instead.