⚡🇫🇷🇩🇪🇦🇷 France risks experiencing a repeat of its "Australian nightmare" in Argentina: Germany could snatch a €2.3 billion contract originally intended for Naval Group.

A €2.3 billion contract, three French submarines, and a victory that seemed all but guaranteed... until the Germans re-entered the race.

In November 2025, Argentine President Javier Milei announced the selection of three Scorpène-class submarines built by Naval Group. However, eleven months later, the situation changed dramatically: Buenos Aires confirmed that the French offer would now have to compete with a bid from German manufacturer TKMS, which is offering Type 209NG submarines.

Berlin is putting forward weighty arguments: financing capable of covering 100% of the contract value, potentially shorter delivery times, and the fact that the Argentine Navy has historically been accustomed to German-designed submarines.

Nevertheless, France still holds an important trump card — Brazil, where Naval Group has already established an industrial partnership under the Scorpène program. Some of the future Argentine submarines could be built in that region, which also opens up opportunities for their maintenance and technology transfer. Of course, it is hard not to recall the situation with Australia and the cancellation of the French contract in 2021. The circumstances are different, but the lesson remains the same: until the contract is finally signed, victory is not guaranteed.

@Alsaa_plus_EN