France accuses Australia, US of 'lying' in escalating crisisThe deal extends US nuclear submarine technology to Australia as well as cyber defence, applied artificial intelligence and undersea capabilities. PARIS: France on Saturday accused Australia and the United States of lying over a ruptured Australian contract to buy French submarines, saying a grave crisis was underway between the allies after Paris recalled its ambassadors. "There has been lying, duplicity, a major breach of trust and contempt," Le Drian said. France would make a priority now of developing a EU security strategy when it takes on the bloc's presidency at the start of 2022, he said. The move infuriated France, which lost a contract to supply conventional submarines to Australia that was worth A$50 billion when signed in 2016.

Source: Bangkok Post September 18, 2021 19:41 UTC