CANBERRA, Sept 17 (Reuters): Australia on Thursday said it would scrap the $40 billion deal with France's Naval Group to build a fleet of conventional submarines and would instead build at least eight nuclear-powered submarines with U.S. and British technology after striking a trilateral security partnership.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian described the decision as a stab in the back.

Strained Australia-French ties come as the United States and its allies seek additional support in the Asia and the Pacific amid concern about the rising influence of a more assertive China.

France is about to take over the presidency of the European Union, which on Thursday released its strategy for the Indo-Pacific, pledging to seek a trade deal with Taiwan and to deploy more ships to keep sea routes open.

It's not a good look for allies to be squabbling but i can see why Aus made that decision: if you're going up against nuclear-powered subs then you don't want to be puttering-around in a slower normal-sub.

It's not a time for niceties. There could be questions as to why they signed the deals with France in the first place though.

Still, it's imperative to keep France onside. France has a glorious history of Freedom. Work it out guys.