Features of Australia's new submarines

OUR NEWS SUBS

THE DESIGN

* The Shortfin Barracuda is 97 metres long and weighs 4500 tonnes - much bigger than the 3100-tonne, 77-metre Collins they'll replace.

* Advanced equipment - pump jet to produce a thousandth of detectable blade noise of some older French nuclear subs.

* Fully electronic surveillance and attack periscopes - targets on display screen in control room.

* Diesel-electric propulsion system, featuring lead-acid batteries.

* Large bank of batteries.

WHO WILL BUILD IT?

* French company DCNS, or Direction des Constructions Navales Services. It's 64 per cent owned by French government and 35 per cent by Thales. Company traces shipbuilding heritage back to the 16th century.

* They will be built in Adelaide.

WHAT THE PM SAID

* French offered capabilities best able to meet Australia's needs.

* Australian workers building Australian submarines with Australian steel for decades to come.

* Submarines will be most sophisticated naval vessels being built in the world.

HOW MANY JOBS?

* Submarine build alone - 2800 Australian jobs.