RAN Aviation Training Ship (ATS) to be built in Vietnamese shipyard

[CougarKing]

An unexpected collaboration, considering Australia's past history of participating on the US side in the Vietnam War.

http://www.news.com.au/national/aussies-ship-to-be-built-in-vietnam-in-major-contract-blow/story-fncynjr2-1227006293373

AUSTRALIA’S ship building industry has been dealt its second crippling blow in a week, with another multi-million naval project to be sent off shore.
Just days after the federal government flagged it would consider buying foreign submarines, News Corp has learned a new Australian aviation training ship (ATS) will be made in Vietnam.

According to well-placed government sources Australian ship builders simply could not provide a “viable tender that would meet budget and time frame”.
And in a defiant shot across the bow, the Abbott government yesterday placed state governments and ship builders on notice that any future contracts would depend on their cooperation.

(...EDITED)

Plus more pics, c/o of various sources such as superyacht news:

 

[Halifax Tar]

Nice to a government who is willing to stand up to local industry/unions

I have no issues with buying offshore.  If they can make the quality material in the time permitted at or under budget then I say go that route.  Canadian jobs be damned

 

[RDBZ]

Nice to a government who is willing to stand up to local industry/unions

I have no issues with buying offshore.  If they can make the quality material in the time permitted at or under budget then I say go that route.  Canadian jobs be damned

I suspect with the LHD, AWD and ANZAC ASMD programs all currently underway, there would be few yards of proven capability with enough spare resources available to build a small ship like this in the required timeframe.