They are connected, but separate. I expect the Germans to keep to the deal. There will be some disappointment, but I think there is more understanding. Germans are professional. Germans also understand that the world is changing. I expect this will land differently within Germany, less sulking, more why aren't we doubling our naval combatants too.
NVL isn't the only ship builder in Germany. Their relationship isn't like Naval group. The OPV selection, well we built 6, at two yards, and then SHTF and we are now looking at a tier 2 combatant that carries as many missiles as Germanys most capable war ship. It happens. It wasn't like NVL sat around for like four years, designed nothing, built nothing and charged Australia 5 billion and the only local content was pizza and shame.
I bet the 5", and radar probably the VLS and missiles, torpedo's. Decoys, coms, the normal bits and bobs that don't have to be shiny and new and will still be usable in 4-5 years in the future. I also hear that she will be cannibalised for mechanical spares for the remainder. I also expect the Anzacs to get the living crap flogged out of them over the next 5 years and our shelves are bare.
The minister hasn't address big issues like crewing, paying for all this. To be fair, its just announced, and not even selected. I believe the Government is in talks with Taylor Swift.
Seriously though, we are at the point now where things like conscription and war bonds may be valid future planning initiatives to be implemented by 2027. We might as well have announced 50 light frigates.
This should be seen not as just getting Gucci kit because of dreams, militarism and nationalism. The government now believes this is the minimum we need to secure Australia and her immediate interests. Arguably this is more than we can build, man or buy before the conflict arrives.
Albanese overseeing the largest expansion of the ADF since WW2, perhaps ever, has overtones of Curtain. We are literally running head long into 1941.