France’s claim that Australia deceived it over the $90 billion submarine project on the same day as it was cancelled has been challenged.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has accused the Australian government of lying and claimed the Defence Department sent a letter to Paris.

Mr Drian said the letter confirmed the government was ready to sign off on the second phase of the submarine program.

The Weekend Australian, however, has obtained the letter and is reporting it says no such thing.

The document makes no reference to any decision to authorise the next phase and does not even mention it.

The letter instead only states that the French shipbuilder Naval Group had completed a systems review and could now formally leave the review, as is required under the contract.