Always politics hehe.
We bought the EuroTiger LAH to appease the european market, and also because it suited the regional warfare, and more than likely the fact we got the licence to build the thing in Australia. It's the reason the army opted for the Steyr Aug. Colt wouldn't let us buy the licence for the M4 and build it in Australia so another choice was needed.
I'm not a fan of the F-35, but Australia will never buy Russian, damn shame tbh. The idea of going past Amberly and seeing Su 30's taking off would be verrah noice