The Turnbull government is reportedly a step closer to announcing the winner of a three-horse race for the contract to deliver Australia's new fleet of frigates.
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The cabinet's national security committee was expected to discuss and sign off on the winning bid overnight.
The announcement is expected by the end of June but could come as early as this week.
The UK's BAE Systems with its Type 26, Fincantieri of Italy with its FREMM and Navantia of Spain with an updated F100 are vying for the $35 billion Future Frigate program contract.
The British bid is considered a favourite by some industry insiders.
However analysis of public information by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute considered the Spanish frigate would likely be the lowest cost and least risky option.
The new frigates will replace the Anzac-class from the mid-2020s, in a project that will create more than 2000 jobs.
Production is scheduled to start from 2020 at the federal government-owned shipyard in Osborne, South Australia.
Fincantieri and Navantia are also in the running to build the US Navy new frigates.
While BAE and Navantia are bidding for a Canadian government frigate project.
Australian Associated Press
