Oz, funny you should mention the French, they are going to upgrade their fleet
France Eyes Maritime Surveillance Upgrades | AVIATION WEEK
they are probably only upgrading 14 of the 27 existing airframes.
If and it is a huge IF we ever get back to the MPA game, maybe it might make more sense to try and join them in the project, rather than the P-8(Especially if we want closer cooperation with them). At least we know the Atlantique can do real ASW/ASUW, was designed as an MPA from the start and floats on water if needed! If it is an option the sooner we find out the better, then I can start learning French.