Britain is pitching to supply Australia with nine frigates worth £21 billion, claiming that its Global Combat Ship will be superior to Spanish and Italian rivals at hunting down spy submarines. Sir Michael Fallon, the defence secretary, has publicly pushed Britain’s case for the lucrative contract before talks between the UK and Australia in Sydney today, which will include the foreign secretary, Boris Johnson. He told The Sydney Morning Herald that it could lead to Britain buying more Australian-made equipment, such as specialist vehicles, radars, remote warfare systems and guns. Boris Johnson, pictured with the Julie Bishop, the Australian foreign minister, will take part in trade talks GETTY IMAGESA three-way contest has opened up between Britain, Spain and Italy to win the contract to replace Australia’s Anzac class frigates by the late 2020s. The New Zealand navy also operates two of the frigates.

Source: The Times July 26, 2017 22:52 UTC