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Tag: Canada submarine procurement

  • South Korean Submarine Arrives in Canada as Ottawa Nears $25 Billion Navy Decision

    South Korean Submarine Arrives in Canada as Ottawa Nears $25 Billion Navy Decision

    A cutting-edge South Korean submarine has arrived in Victoria as the Canadian government moves closer to selecting a winner for one of the country’s largest military procurement projects in decades.

    The Republic of Korea Navy’s Dosan Ahn Changho submarine docked at CFB Esquimalt on Saturday, showcasing South Korea’s bid to supply Canada with up to 12 next-generation diesel-electric submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy.

    The federal government is expected to spend approximately $25 billion on the new fleet, which will replace Canada’s aging Victoria-class submarines. The South Korean-made KSS-III submarine, developed by Hanwha Aerospace, is one of two finalists competing for the contract.

    Hanwha Canada CEO Glenn Copeland described the vessel as one of the most advanced conventional submarines currently operating anywhere in the world.

    “This is about the most advanced conventional submarine that you’re going to find anywhere on the planet right now,” Copeland said while observing the submarine’s arrival.

    The vessel’s journey to Canada marked the longest voyage ever completed by a South Korean submarine, covering nearly 15,000 kilometres across the Pacific Ocean. South Korean officials say the successful transit demonstrates the KSS-III’s long-range operational capability and reliability.

    The submarine faces competition from a joint German-Norwegian bid offering the next-generation TKMS Type 212CD submarines. The European-designed vessels are promoted as nearly silent underwater and difficult to detect using magnetic sensors.

    Both bids include Arctic patrol capabilities, a major requirement as Canada seeks to strengthen its military presence in the North amid growing geopolitical tensions and security concerns in Arctic waters.

    Rear-Admiral David Patchell of Canadian Maritime Forces emphasized the urgent need to modernize Canada’s submarine fleet. Canada’s current Victoria-class submarines, originally purchased second-hand from the United Kingdom, were built in the 1980s, and only one remains operational today.

    “We have the longest coastline in the world, 244,000 kilometres that stretches across three oceans, so we need a navy and we’ve always needed submarines,” Patchell said.

    He added that acquiring 12 submarines would allow Canada to maintain continuous submarine operations across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic oceans throughout the year.

    Hanwha executives also highlighted potential economic benefits tied to their proposal, including manufacturing opportunities and job creation in Canada’s defence and automotive sectors.

    Ottawa is expected to announce the winning bid as early as June, with the decision set to shape the future of Canada’s naval defence strategy for decades.

     

  • Canada’s Submarine Race Enters Final Stage as Bidders Submit Proposals for New Fleet

    Canada’s Submarine Race Enters Final Stage as Bidders Submit Proposals for New Fleet

    The competition to build the Royal Canadian Navy’s next generation of submarines has entered a decisive phase after the two remaining bidders submitted their final proposals to the federal government on Monday.

    Canada plans to purchase up to 12 conventionally powered submarines, with the goal of having the first vessels operational by 2032. The multibillion-dollar procurement has been fast-tracked as the navy’s aging Victoria-class submarines are expected to retire within the next decade.

    The final contenders are South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, known as TKMS, which is bidding in partnership with industry players from Germany and Norway.

    Stephen Fuhr, Canada’s secretary of state for defence procurement, said earlier this year that Ottawa is expected to announce a winner before the end of 2026. The Liberal government has emphasized that the decision will be based not only on military capability but also on which proposal delivers the strongest economic and industrial benefits for Canada.

    Government officials have already toured shipyards in South Korea and Germany, while delegations from both countries have visited Canada as part of the evaluation process. Hanwha and South Korean officials have promoted the submarine project as the foundation for a deeper long-term industrial partnership between the two countries. Meanwhile, TKMS has indicated it could build some of the submarines in Canada if awarded the contract.

    Both companies have signed cooperation agreements with multiple Canadian firms and have stepped up their public presence in recent months. Hanwha has launched a visible advertising campaign in downtown Ottawa, including bus shelter and digital ads, while TKMS is the main sponsor of this week’s Conference of Defence Associations Institute annual meeting in the capital.

    Tom Lawson, chair of the institute’s board and a former chief of the defence staff, said Canada has significantly shortened what is usually a lengthy defence procurement process. He noted that the accelerated timeline reflects the federal government’s new defence industrial strategy and sends a positive signal to the military and industry alike.

    Lawson added that while both companies are eager to win the contract, neither depends entirely on the outcome for survival, as each has submarine orders from other countries in the pipeline. Still, with billions of dollars at stake, both firms are expected to compete aggressively until a final decision is made.