Mitsubishi Heavy Industries chief Shunichi Miyanaga says Japan can build all future submarines in Australia

JAPAN would be very willing to build future submarines wholly in Australia if it wins the multi-billion dollar project, says the chief of the global firm spearheading its bid.

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JAPAN would be very willing to build future submarines wholly in Australia if it wins the multi-billion dollar project, says the chief of the global firm spearheading its bid.

Speaking after touring Osborne-based ASC today, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries president Shunichi Miyanaga praised the construction expertise developed there throughout the two-decade Collins Class submarine project.

Asked if preferred to build submarines wholly in Australia or in both Japan and Australia, Mr Miyanaga said: “If it is the Australian government and the Australian people’s hope to be constructed fully we will be very much willing to contribute to that kind of construction, so whole construction in Australia.”

Japan, Germany and France last November lodged final bids for the submarine contract as part of a competitive evaluation process. The government says it will choose a winning bidder by the middle of the year.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries president Shunichi Miyanaga following his tour of the ASC facilities. Picture: Simon Cross

Building Australia’s future submarines would be a “symbolic project” for his company, he said, because of the Japanese government’s decision last year to allow defence industry exports.

Mr Miyanaga, also the company’s chief executive officer, said he believed ASC’s workforce and technology were equipped for an Adelaide build.

Engineers, welders and other workers would require skills and technology development to build Japan’s modified Soryu Class submarine but Mr Miyanaga said he did not foresee any difficulties.

Mr Miyanaga said he hoped to discuss soon with the Federal Government whether eight or 12 submarines would be built.

The Mitsubishi conglomerate chief, whose company’s 12.6 per cent is the largest single shareholding in former Adelaide car manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors, declined to comment on whether South Australian or Western Australian naval shipyards were better.

WA is considered a strong threat to secure a $5 billion Offshore Patrol Vessel contract, which the Government had earmarked for Adelaide.

“This area the Adelaide area has a very long history and Western Australia is very close to the naval base,” Mr Miyanaga said.

He said the Australian construction site should be chosen by the Government based on job creation, costs and economic growth policies.