South Korea made a strong push to sell submarines to Canada, with Prime Minister Mark Carney visiting a shipyard to inspect one of the new boats. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok of South Korea joined Carney at the Hanwha Ocean Ltd. facility in Geoje, showcasing the KSS-III (Batch 2) submarine to Canadian officials. Hanwha Ocean and Hyundai Heavy Industries are actively promoting the submarine to Canada, aiming to deliver four submarines by 2035 to replace the aging Victoria-class boats.
During the tour, Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee of the Royal Canadian Navy praised the submarine’s design and functionality. The visit emphasized South Korea’s readiness to meet Canada’s submarine needs promptly. Carney also visited ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems in Germany, one of the competing companies for the submarine contract. While the German bid has a timeline disadvantage compared to South Korea, both companies meet Canada’s navy requirements.
The decision on awarding the submarine contract will consider job creation opportunities in Canada. Although there is no confirmed budget yet, the submarine replacement project aligns with Canada’s commitment to NATO defense spending targets. Meanwhile, a recent report highlighted underspending on defense equipment by the Trudeau government, raising concerns about future procurement activities and industry support for increased defense spending.
The submarine procurement process is moving swiftly, with the government expected to make a decision soon. Both South Korea and Germany are actively competing to secure the submarine contract, with job creation being a key factor in the decision-making process. The tour of the shipyards and inspections by Canadian officials signal progress in the submarine replacement project.
