A landmark moment in the future of Canada’s submarine capability and bilateral defence cooperation
On October 30, 2025, a significant moment unfolded in the evolving relationship between Canada and South Korea’s defence industries. The Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, accompanied by the Honourable David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, and Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), visited Hanwha Ocean’s state-of-the-art shipyard in Geoje, South Korea.
They were welcomed by the Republic of Korea’s Prime Minister Kim Min-Seok, Vice Minister of Defence Lee Doo-Hee, and Deputy Director of the Defence Acquisition Programme Administration Kang Hwan-Seok, along with Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-Kwan. The visit highlighted not only the strength of the Canada–Korea partnership but also the strategic importance of Hanwha’s submarine technology as Canada advances the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).
“It was a great pleasure to host Prime Minister Carney, Minister McGuinty and Vice-Admiral Topshee at our shipyard today and show them the proven, in-service and in-production KSS-III submarine that we feel is the best submarine for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. Supplying the KSS-III to Canada would represent one of the greatest achievements of Korea’s defense industry. It will not only pioneer a new path for K-Defense but also serve as a turning point in building a long-term defence partnership between Korea and Canada. Hanwha Group will mobilize all its capabilities to ensure this success,” stated Kim Dong-Kwan, Vice Chairman, Hanwha Group.
A Look Inside One of the World’s Most Advanced Shipyards
During their visit, the Canadian delegation toured one of the largest and most sophisticated shipbuilding complexes in the world, where Hanwha Ocean’s KSS-III submarines are in active production. The highlight of the tour was a firsthand look at a newly launched KSS-III for the Republic of Korea Navy — the same platform Hanwha is proposing for Canada’s next-generation submarine fleet.
Representatives from several Canadian defence and technology partners — including Babcock Canada, CAE, Gastops, L3Harris Canada, ModestTree, and PCL Construction — joined the event, underscoring the strong industrial collaboration already taking shape between Hanwha and Canadian industry.
The KSS-III: Proven Capability, Arctic-Ready Performance
In August 2025, Hanwha Ocean’s KSS-III was officially selected as a qualified supplier for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. The submarine meets and exceeds all of Canada’s High-Level Mandatory Requirements (HLMRs) for CPSP, including exceptional underwater surveillance capabilities, long-range Arctic deployability, and advanced stealth and endurance systems designed for operations across all three of Canada’s oceans.
Built and proven in service for the Republic of Korea Navy, the KSS-III delivers not only superior performance but also an active, in-production supply chain — a major advantage in delivering capability on time and on budget.
Hanwha Ocean has stated it can deliver four KSS-III submarines by 2035, fully replacing Canada’s Victoria-class fleet if the contract is finalized in 2026. The earlier retirement of the Victoria-class could save approximately $1 billion in maintenance and support costs. Following those initial deliveries, Hanwha’s plan would see an additional eight submarines provided at a rate of one per year, ensuring a complete 12-vessel fleet for Canada by 2043 — a pace unmatched by any other contender.
A Strategic Partnership Beyond Shipbuilding
While the focus of the visit was submarine capability, the broader message was clear: Hanwha is positioning itself as a long-term strategic partner for Canada. The company’s commitment extends beyond naval defence to collaboration across multiple high-growth sectors — including space technology, sustainable energy, and critical minerals.
These partnerships, already reinforced through multiple MOUs and Teaming Agreements with more than a dozen Canadian companies, promise to drive innovation, job creation, and economic growth across Canada. The initiative also supports the objectives of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, deepening cooperation and strengthening supply chains between two like-minded democracies committed to regional stability and technological excellence.
As Canada prepares to define the next era of its submarine fleet, the visit to Hanwha Ocean symbolizes more than just an inspection of hardware — it marks a pivotal step in shaping the future of Canada’s maritime sovereignty and its growing role in Indo-Pacific defence collaboration.