On Friday 20, 2015 the Australian Governments decided to select a new submarine from Japan, Germany or France (but not from Sweden). The Government stressed that weight was given to the bidders actually building submarines now.
The best succinct mainstream media article, on February 20, 2015, was probably http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-20/japan-france-germany-to-compete-for-submarine-build/6159834
For the leadup to the Friday 20, 2015 decision see http://gentleseas.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/open-tender-versus-competitive.html particularly about the main Australian workforce involvement being the integration of the US-Australian evolved AN/BYG-1 combat system.
As things stand I would say the Australian Government's favourites are Japan, Germany and France - in that order.
Pete
The best succinct mainstream media article, on February 20, 2015, was probably http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-20/japan-france-germany-to-compete-for-submarine-build/6159834
For the leadup to the Friday 20, 2015 decision see http://gentleseas.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/open-tender-versus-competitive.html particularly about the main Australian workforce involvement being the integration of the US-Australian evolved AN/BYG-1 combat system.
As things stand I would say the Australian Government's favourites are Japan, Germany and France - in that order.
Pete