Australian Navy's newest boats made in China
a year ago
- #Australian Navy
- #Defense Contract
- #China
- New tug boats for the Australian navy were built in China under a $28 million contract awarded to Dutch company Damen.
- The tug boats were constructed at Damen's facility in Hunan province, with the first completed in December and delivered to Darwin.
- Defense stated the tug boats will be operated by civilian contractors but retains the option to crew them in emergencies.
- The contract includes an Australian expenditure percentage of 47% for the procurement and sustainment of the tug boats over 25 years.
- Opposition criticized Defense Minister Richard Marles, questioning the decision to build navy vessels in China and potential security risks.
- In 2016, Labor criticized a similar situation when Australian Army uniforms were made in China.