CANBERRA: A mega deal to build Australian submarines was so important, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said Monday, that he pledged to personally supervise the project as Paris and Canberra bolster defense ties.

French contractor DCNS last week beat off competition from Japan and Germany to seal the 12-submarine Aus$50 billion ($39 billion) contract, prompting Valls to make a surprise visit to Canberra.

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