Australian PM says he understands France’s ‘disappointment’ over submarine snub

Scott Morrison defended his decision to pull out of the a £30 billion agreement with the French.

Australia’s prime minister has said he understands France’s “disappointment” after his government ditched a multibillion-dollar submarine deal in favour of a pact with the United States and Britain.

Scott Morrison defended his decision to pull out of the £30 billion agreement with the French, claiming that it was made because of “national defence interest”.

At a briefing on Sunday, Mr Morrison said: “Of course it’s a matter of great disappointment to the French government, so I understand their disappointment.

“That is why last week the Prime Minister announced, alongside our friends President Biden and Prime Minister Morrison, the creation of a new security partnership called Aukus,” she wrote.

Scott Morrison defended his decision to pull out of the a £30 billion agreement with the French