Hanwha has said its bid would range from $20 billion to $24 billion, not including the maintenance and infrastructure needed to support the subs for decades. Photo by Hanwha Ocean/Postmedia files

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney got a close-up view Thursday of the submarines built by the South Korean company bidding for a government contract worth tens of billions of dollars.

Canada’s military plans to purchase up to 12 conventionally powered subs, and Carney has narrowed the competition to one bid led by South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean Co. , and another by Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems . A decision is expected within a year.

“It’s a beautiful submarine,” said Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, the commander of Canada’s navy, speaking after he toured one of Hanwha’s newly-

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