I will take a look at this article sometime today, but it seems to me that muskets were still in use at the time of the Napoleonic Wars. Rifled barrels and breach loading were just around the corner, but in defense of my previous point-- Muskets were still in use and possibly the most common issued weapon at that time. (I don’t really know for sure.)
That being said, Dumas still had quite a bit to say about Napoleon but in a different serialized adventure novel, namely (my favorite) The Count of Monte Cristo The book was written in the middle 1800’s about a time when velvet pantaloons were not unheard of, so I believe my point holds.
A couple of points - its not just a unit price per vessel, but the infrastructure for construction and maintaining the sub fleet. In terms of the Australian economy both the French and US programs represent a significant chunk of bucks that go towards boosting local investment in high-tech construction, which is at a bit of a low ebb. Even in the context of the French economy its a huge wad of future cash that has disappeared and, more importantly, a blow to the credibility of their armaments industry. Its important enough that if they were not chucking a hissy fit, then someone very senior should be fired. They cannot just let this play out and hope it works for their benefit. Serious reaction is absolutely necessary.
The big implication for Australia is that it was toying with how to be America’s friend but not souring the vast trade relationship with China. Versions of a middle-path / everybody’s friend / feet in two oceans approach have been talked about ever since Deng Xiao Ping was in short pants. Buying French worked for that narrative, but this puts us firmly in the camp opposing Chinese economic and political expansion and completely part of the US side. The change of direction declares our position for the foreseeable future.
I expect this will just escalate Chinese actions against Australia, including further trade embargoes and bans, which has been going on for a while, which have been more dickish rather than critical until now [unless you were directly affected].
There’s a limit to how much further China can “punish” Australia with regard to trade.
In 2020, Australia’s imports from China exceeded its exports by about $7 billion. So the Chinese might well be shooting themselves in the foot by trying to markedly expand trade sanctions.
Also, by reducing the sub deal to Australia “toying with how to be America’s friend”, you seem to think that China’s regional aggressiveness and bullying has no impact on Australia’s security. It’s a bit like characterizing Australia’s alliance with the U.S. against Japan in WWII as Australia merely sucking up to the Americans.
Note that we Brits have not forgotten the damage that French missiles did in the Falklands.
France is a great place for a holiday and I have been many times, but we Rosbiffs understand that they are merely Frogs. We have been trading insults since the days of the ‘V’ sign at Azincourt.
This isn’t terribly relevant to anything. There are no such thing as inherent racial ability to general and pre-modern era nationality didn’t count for much.
The most famous Austrian general is probably Eugene of Savoy, born and raised in Paris. And I could dredge up a number more, like the various Wild Geese. National identity was a far more flexible thing back in the day.
And the Italians like to claim Napoleon as the last condottieri.
Ignorant question: could the French have saved the sale, like a car salesman pleading “OK, what do I have to do here?” by refitting the subs with nuclear power plants; which they have plenty of experience with?
The Australians asked specifically for diesel subs. At the time, after Fukushima, the Australian government didn’t think nuclear subs would be acceptable politically.
A selling point for the French subs was that they could be converted to nuclear later.
The sticking point was how much of the construction would be done in Australia. Aussie companies were piling in and adding to cost, and the French claimed the Aussies didn’t have enough technical expertise in some areas. Anyway they were going to be delivered in 2035.
Now the US subs will be constructed partly in the US, partly in the UK, and partly in Australia. That sounds like fun. They will have a delivery date of 2040…
I would guess they will finally be delivered several years late, and at double the cost of the French subs.
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