Calling American and Australian behaviour “unacceptable between allies and partners,” France announced on Friday that it was recalling its ambassadors to both countries in protest over President Biden’s decision to provide nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.

It was the first time in the history of the long alliance between France and the United States, dating back to 1778, that a French ambassador has been recalled to Paris in this way for consultations. The decision by President Emmanuel Macron reflects the extent of French outrage at what it has a called a “brutal” American decision and a “stab in the back” from Australia.

In a statement, Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French foreign minister, said the decision was made by Mr. Macron, who is understood to be furious about the way the United States, Britain and Australia negotiated the deal without informing France.

Australia on Wednesday cancelled a $66 billion agreement to purchase French-built, conventionally powered submarines, hours before the deal with Washington and London was announced.

“At the request of the President of the Republic, I have decided to immediately recall our two ambassadors to the United States and Australia to Paris for consultations,” the statement said. “This exceptional decision is justified by the exceptional gravity of the announcements made on 15 September by Australia and the United States.”

Malaysia and Indonesia reaction

Malaysia and Indonesia have criticised Australia's decision, while Singapore and Japan added support. Malaysia has joined criticism of Australia's plan to build nuclear-powered submarines, warning it could spark a renewed arms race in the region, while the diplomatic crisis with France sparked by the decision continues to escalate.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison rang Malaysia's new Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob last week as part of a broader high-level diplomatic push designed to reassure regional leaders.

He wanted to explain Australia's rationale for scrapping a $90 billion submarine contract with the French company Naval Group in favour of nuclear submarines with US and UK technology.

But in a public statement, Mr Yaakob said he had raised concerns about the project with Mr Morrison, and warned that the nuclear submarine project might heighten military tensions in Asia. "At the same time, it will provoke other powers to take more aggressive action in this region, especially in the South China Sea," Mr Yaakob said.

Indonesia has also criticised the nuclear submarines announcement. A spokesman for its foreign ministry issued a statement earlier this week saying it was "deeply concerned about the continuing arms race and power projection in the region".

China’s reaction

China has drone strike capability and guided long ranch missiles with nuclear heads to strike any target including the Australian nuclear submarines.  

China has long range missiles

The S-400 deploys two missile types capable of hypersonic interception at ranges of 250km or more. These are the 48N6DM/48N6E3 and the 40N6E. The former retains a range of 250km and can intercept its target at speeds of up to Mach 14, with a semi active radar homing guidance system. The latter retains a considerably longer range of 400km, and climbs to the upper atmosphere before descending towards its target. This provides the 40N6E with excellent over the horizon capabilities and allows it to intercept targets at altitudes as low as 5 meters off the ground. The missile makes use of a combination of semi active and active radar homing, and its capabilities are a considerable game changer unparalleled by any other munition in the world.