Better includes a guaranteed level of support and spares, something that is especially crucial in wartime.
If there is one thing that Iraq taught us, it is that we will not be able to count on France for Support, therefore it would be EXCEPTIONALLY fool hardy to buy any sort of system that depends on manufacturer support for our military from the EU...
That is part of what makes something better. A Guarantee that it will be useable when you need it.
Cheers
Wino