Hanwha Ocean of South Korea signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) at CANSEC 2025 with Canadian partners BlackBerry and L3Harris for long-term cooperation on the Canadian Patrol Project. They also signed MOUs with RaceRocks and EllisDon for upcoming land systems programs.
- The MOU with BlackBerry (Waterloo, Ontario) focuses on secure communications and embedded software solutions
- The MOU with L3Harris (Ottawa, Ontario) covers integrated platform management, communications, steering, diving, control systems, and other maritime capabilities
- The MOU with RaceRocks (Victoria, British Columbia) establishes the framework for advancing next-generation training solutions, enabling the Canadian Army to quickly deploy modern capabilities needed by Canada and NATO allies
- The MOU with EllisDon (Mississauga, Ontario) is to advance discussions and foster collaboration on delivering key infrastructure solutions within Canada’s construction industry in support of the Canadian Armed Forces
The KSS-III Canadian Patrol Submarine (KSS-III CPS) is an in-service, in-production vessel that meets the Royal Canadian Navy’s operational requirements and offers the fastest delivery timeline. Hanwha Ocean can deliver the first KSS-III CPS in six years, with subsequent units following at a rate of one per year. If awarded a contract in 2026, Canada could receive four submarines by 2035 (first in 2032), fully replacing its Victoria Class fleet, potentially saving around $900 million. The remaining eight submarines would be delivered annually, completing the fleet of 12 by 2043.
“We see significant opportunities for synergies between Hanwha Ocean and these Canadian partners – BlackBerry and L3Harris,” stated Michael Coulter, President and CEO of Hanwha Global Defence in a press release. “With the signing of these MOUs, Hanwha can begin developing strategic relationships with these partners, which will also enhance and strengthen the relationship between Canada and South Korea.”
The MOUs were signed with RaceRocks and EllisDon for cooperation on upcoming Canadian land systems programs.
“We see significant opportunities for synergies between Hanwha and these Canadian partners –
RaceRocks and EllisDon. With the signing of these MOUs, Hanwha can begin developing
strategic relationships with these partners, which will also enhance and strengthen the
relationship between Canada and South Korea,” Coulter stated in a press release.
Previously, in 2023 and 2024, Hanwha Ocean established agreements with several Canadian companies for long-term cooperation on the project:
- CAE (Montreal, Quebec): Integrated training and operations support solutions
- Gastops (Ottawa, Ontario): Propulsion systems control, modeling, and simulation
- Curtis-Wright Indal Technologies (Mississauga, Ontario): Towed array handling and winch systems
- Modest Tree (Halifax, Nova Scotia): Immersive training and digital in-service support solutions
- Des Nedhe Group (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan): Economic sustainability initiatives.
- J Squared Technologies (Ottawa, Ontario): Critical capabilities for sea platforms
