MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Vice Adm. Yoji Koda, who attended a naval conference in the Australian city of Adelaide, said that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe "had a strong intent" to win the deal to replace Australia's six aging Collins-class submarines, according to the newspaper.
On Wednesday, Australian Defense Minister Kevin Andrews said the country needed new submarines capable of operations at long range over extended periods, according to local media reports.
Australia is looking to purchase up to 12 conventionally-powered submarines, with companies from Germany, France and Japan bidding for the 50 billion Australian dollar ($39 billion) tender, Andrews added.
