AUSTRALIAN submarines could be exported to the world under a German plan to make Techport a base for the region.
German shipbuilders TKMS - if they beat Japan and France in the competitive evaluation process to build the Future Submarines - will treat the Osborne facility as a greenfields site. 
They are prepared to bring in robotic welders, cranes, and other heavy machinery and to build whatever infrastructure is needed to create a shipyard that can churn out at least eight submarines for the Royal Australian Navy. But their ambitions run even higher, as they believe the Australian submarine, versions of it, or parts of its technology would be wanted by other navies.
TKMS Australia chairman John White, who co-authored a secret Government report into what has previously gone wrong at the ASC site and how to fix it, said exports were "absolutely" on the cards, and that the market was growing for bigger submarines such as the 4000-tonne option Australia is looking for.
"If we wanted to export a version of the Australian submarine we could only do it with the Australian Government's approval and that could be to a country like Canada," Dr White said.
"We are setting up TKMSA as a competent designer and builder of submarines and a competent partner for the Australian Government for sustainment and future upgrades should they wish and we will actively be looking to develop a facility.
"It will hopefully integrate elements of ASC, but that's up to the Government to decide - we will actively seek to establish it as a regional hub to service naval industry needs (for) both surface ships and submarines." The public campaigns of the three potential international partners have intensified as the   November 30 deadline for bids nears.
After that, the Government will select a partner and make a decision about where to build the submarines.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is expected to visit all three contenders in the coming weeks, and will be in Berlin this week.
Shipbuilding is sure to be on the agenda.
TKMS had pegged the price of 12 submarines at $20 billion, and the Government has said the project will eventually be worth $50 billion because of the ongoing maintenance.
However, The Advertiser understands the soon-to-be released Defence White Paper will outline plans for eight submarines, but will leave open an option for 12 or a continuous program.
German State Secretary and maritime industry spokesman Uwe Beckmeyer has visited Adelaide and praised the workers at ASC, and said the facility could be extended for new projects.
Germany's preferred strategy is to build all the submarines in Adelaide."It's important for South Australia ... the people need jobs," Mr Beckmeyer told The Advertiser in Berlin.