French defence sector tours ASC shipyards

French maritime and defence officials will tour ASC's shipyards in Adelaide as the country waits to see whether it has won the right to build Australia's next fleet of submarines.

Representatives from 16 companies and France's defence and maritime sector will meet South Australian Defence Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith on Friday, who will spruce Adelaide's shipbuilding capacities.

French company DCNS is competing with German and Japanese shipbuilders for the right to build Australia's next fleet of submarines and the winner will be announced this year.