No, the second link from 2017 says:
"The 12 submarines — except for some specialized parts — are slated to be built in Adelaide, home to the Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC)".
Wikipedia says the same.
The main criticism seems to be three-fold: 1. too optimistic - already high - cost calculations, 2. unproven design and technological components, and 3. becoming obsolete much faster than anticipated.
Wikipedia says the Barracuda/Suffren (short finned) is a conventional Diesel-electric version of the nuclear Barracudas. The French plan to commission the first such nuclear boat this year. It bases on the Triomphant design, another nuclear boat. The diesel version has never been done before, and exists only on paper. It should have a length of 90 meters and a displacement of over 4000 tons. I do not like that even the nuclear mother design so far is unproven as well, and now they already plan the conventiuonal version on the basis of that unproven nuclear design. Sounds like "one complication level ahead" to me. I think its smarter to do such a stunt only on grounds of an already proven mother design.
The Australians may end up serving as lab rats, so to speak. Serves them well. They should have bought our boats.
