Is the following the first public relations problem involving the DCNS win?
There may be no Design Contract signed between the Australian Government and DCNS until 2017 but naval-technology.com is carrying a Media Release by Jeumont Electric, May 10, 2016 http://www.naval-technology.com/contractors/electrical/jeumont-electric/pressjeumont-electric-australian-submarine-programme.html :
"Jeumont Electric One of Top Five Suppliers in Australian Submarine Programme
There may be no Design Contract signed between the Australian Government and DCNS until 2017 but naval-technology.com is carrying a Media Release by Jeumont Electric, May 10, 2016 http://www.naval-technology.com/contractors/electrical/jeumont-electric/pressjeumont-electric-australian-submarine-programme.html :
"Jeumont Electric One of Top Five Suppliers in Australian Submarine Programme
Jeumont Electric announced today that it has been selected as a major supplier in the Australian government's Sea 1000 Future Submarine Programme, French naval defence and energy company DCNS is the Australian government's exclusive partner on the programme.
The contract covers the construction of 12 submarines to replace the fleet's six current Collins-type submarines and also includes the transfer of stealth technology, production, and the combat system, plus maintenance throughout the submarines' lifetimes.
Jeumont Electric, a recognised expert in rotating electric machines for more than a century, had been working on the technical and business aspects of the bid since October 2015, earning a position among the programme's top five largest and most strategic suppliers.
Jeumont Electric will supply the propulsion pack, which includes manufacturing permanent-magnet synchronous motors and the associated power electronics cabinets, and will also provide maintenance training.
"We are pleased that the Australian government has entrusted DCNS with this contract," said Daniel Marlot, Director of Sales, Marine Industry at Jeumont Electric.
"We are working closely with DCNS and with most of the other suppliers involved in this exciting programme. Our teams in France had demonstrated the quality of their work on several previous projects.
"We are pleased to bring our know-how to this demanding and far-reaching new programme. We plan to build a close working relationship with the Australian government to ensure their full satisfaction."
COMMENT
Australia's Collins submarines notoriously had/have problems with unreliable propulsion. Parts of the Collin’s propulsion (see right-sidebar) are:
3 × Jeumont-Schneidergenerators (1,400 kW, 440-volt DC), and
1 × Jeumont-Schneider DC motor
Has Jeumont jumped the gun with an early Media Release? Might it be part of an unreliable propulsion system(?) years down the track?
As at 1pm (Australian Eastern Time) May 11, 2016 there has been no Australian Defence Minister Media Release confirming Jeumont Electric's victory.
To do this situation justice the Australian Govenment is now constrained by pre-election "Caretaker Conventions"which, on page 3, require:
Parts of the future submarine propulsion systems, costing $100s millions (in total), might be seen as "major".
To do this situation justice the Australian Govenment is now constrained by pre-election "Caretaker Conventions"which, on page 3, require:
"1.3...the conventions are that the government avoids:..
• making major policy decisions that are likely to commit an incoming government;
• making significant appointments; and
Parts of the future submarine propulsion systems, costing $100s millions (in total), might be seen as "major".