Three companies invited to bid for a contract to build Australia's next-generation submarine fleet claim that they have had to fend off cyber-attacks from Chinese and Russian hackers, according to The Australian.

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The bidders for the project - Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), France's DCNS and the Japanese government - have all reportedly come under cyber-attacks. None of the bidders have confirmed any data breach thus far. However, they have announced plans to step up protective measures following the hacking attempts.

The bidders, who are believed to possess sensitive information about Australia's naval plans, are competing for a contract to build a powerful fleet of submarines to replace the country's Collins Class submarines. In March, Australia invited the companies to send in their bids for the contract. The bidders have been developing their preliminary design proposals, which are set to be presented to Australian authorities later this month.

Australia's SEA 1000 Future Submarine Project is expected to equip the nation with hi-tech U-boats capable of anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, mine warfare, and electronic warfare. The new subs are also expected to have the ability to perform surveillance, reconnaissance, and other intelligence work.

At the moment, no concrete evidence has been presented to incriminate China or Russia in the hacking attempts. However, Chinese hackers have repeatedly been accused of mounting attacks against other countries. In September, a report was released accusing China of sponsoring cyber-attacks against countries involved in the South China Sea dispute, as well as international organizations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).The Chinese government has distanced itself from these cyber-attack allegations.

Australia and China maintain close naval ties, but both nations do not always see eye-to-eye. Australian officials have voiced strong opposition to China's activities in the South China Sea. In October, China's Foreign Ministry accused Australia of taking sides in the territorial dispute.

After U.S. warship USS Lassen sailed past China's man-made island in the Spratly Islands late last month, Australia's defense minister Marise Payne released a statement expressing support for the move.

TagsAustralia SEA 1000 Future Submarine Project, Australia Submarine Project, Russia, Australia, Chinese Russian Hackers Australia Submarine Project, China cyberattacks US