A coalition of three South Korean companies has presented Canada with a groundbreaking multibillion-dollar offer aimed at overhauling the country’s military capabilities. The unsolicited proposals, submitted in March, promise rapid upgrades to Canada’s navy, army, and defence industrial base, with a focus on submarines, artillery, and armored vehicles.
The joint pitch, valued between $20 billion and $24 billion, centers around replacing Canada’s aging submarines. Hanwha Ocean and Hyundai Heavy Industries have outlined a plan to deliver the first four submarines by 2035, ahead of the Royal Canadian Navy’s current schedule. This proposal includes the establishment of maintenance facilities within Canada, offering job creation opportunities.
Additionally, Hanwha Aerospace has put forward proposals to equip the Canadian Army with advanced mobile howitzers and rocket-propelled artillery, mirroring U.S.-made systems. These offerings, valued at over $1 billion, aim to address gaps in Canada’s artillery and defense assets, with rapid delivery timelines and the potential for local manufacturing and maintenance operations.
The strategic push from South Korea highlights its desire to deepen defense ties with Canada, as well as offer solutions that diverge from the U.S. and European military-industrial supply chains. With Poland already embracing South Korean defense systems for its own military modernization, South Korea’s defense officials are confident that their offerings could fill critical gaps in Canada’s military infrastructure, especially given the country’s struggles to meet modern defense demands.
The proposals come at a time when Canada is rethinking its dependence on U.S. defense contracts, especially following a shift in relations under the Liberal government’s review of major military acquisitions. Canada’s urgent need to modernize its military, especially after facing deficiencies in readiness and outdated equipment, adds weight to the potential of these South Korean offerings.
Source: Swifteradio.com
