The $90bn number is $7.5bn each for each conventional disel sub with a prop jet. The French 'triomphant' class is second only in cost behind the Seawolf class a

The $90bn number is $7.5bn each for each conventional disel sub with a prop jet. The French 'triomphant' class is second only in cost behind the Seawolf class at about $3-4bn (USD). And this is still above the Seawolf (both nuclear subs). Yet this $7.5bn sub is Diesel (AUD) and inferior in design to the Seawolf/Jimmy Carter/Connecticut subs. The original number $50bn (£27bn) was increased to $90bn because there were cost increases related to being built in Australia and having more local origin requirements. (Actually goes up to $140bn after maintenance). The headlines always play between the two numbers (and sometimes 3). France is seriously taking the piss I mean, do they seriously expect to be paid $7.5bn for each sub when they have better designs theyve built for less. On the issue of transparency in losing the contract, it was also stolen from the Japanese a few years ago.