Austal’s ownership battle: Who should control Australia’s defence shipbuilder?

Austal ownership battle sparks national security concerns amid competing bids from Hanwha and Wildcat impacting defence ties with allies

Austal’s ownership battle is shaping up as a major national security issue, with competing bids from Hanwha and Wildcat raising questions about who should control a shipbuilder central to Australia’s defence interests.

Michael Shoebridge from Strategic Analysis Australia joins Ticker to examine the risks, the competing approaches and what the outcome could mean for Australia, the US, Japan and South Korea.

The battle goes beyond corporate ownership, with potential implications for defence cooperation, sensitive shipbuilding operations and Australia’s relationship with key allies.

We examine the security concerns surrounding Hanwha’s involvement, whether Wildcat’s bid could offer a simpler path forward, and how Washington might respond as the contest unfolds.

The discussion also explores Austal’s financial position, the potential risks to future operations and what the ownership battle could mean for the future of Australia’s defence industry.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker