This deal had it's genesis before China made all it's land grabs on the Spratleys etc. When China did that, a game changer = deal changer, there came an instant need for the range that has been cited. France should have taken this this into account and added US/UK technical capabilities into the deal or voluntarily released the Aussies from their deal. Instead the French chose to erect a high horse of broken honor upon which to stand.There were probably quiet consultations, which were rebuffed, before this bold stroke.
The submarine Japan bidded in competition at the time has since collided with a freighter showing not very good human centered interface design for situational awareness when submarine is surfacing.