CANADIAN DEPUTY MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENCE VISITS HANWHA OCEAN SHIPYARD
Canada’s Deputy Minister of National Defence, Stefanie Beck, visited Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje, South Korea on September 7, 2025.
During the tour of Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard, the Canadian delegation had the opportunity to board the KSS-III Batch-II submarine – the platform Hanwha Ocean is proposing for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). The delegation was provided with an in-depth briefing on the original design and construction process of the KSS-III Batch-II. It was a great opportunity to not only view the submarine, but to experience directly the submarine that could carry Canadian sailors into the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Hanwha Ocean also presented its comprehensive economic benefits package for Canada to Deputy Minister Beck, which includes transfer of technology, establishment of full in-service support (ISS) capabilities in Canada, and broad cooperation across defence, space, sustainable energy, critical minerals and other areas.
In August 2025, Hanwha Ocean’s KSS-III Canadian Patrol Submarine (KSS-III CPS) was selected by the Government of Canada as a qualified supplier for the CPSP. It is the only in-service, in-active production submarine platform that fully meets and exceeds all High-Level Mandatory Requirements (HLMRs) set by the Government of Canada. These include superior underwater surveillance capability and deployability in the Arctic with extended range and endurance that will provide stealth, persistence and lethality to ensure that Canada can detect, track, deter and, if necessary, defeat adversaries in all 3 of its oceans.
Importantly, Hanwha can deliver four KSS-III CPS to fully replace Canada’s current Victoria Class fleet before 2035 if on contract in 2026. Earlier retirement of the Victoria Class fleet will result in estimated savings of approximately $1 Billion on maintenance and support costs. The additional 8 submarines will be delivered at a rate of one per year, meaning the entire fleet of 12 submarines can be delivered to Canada by 2043. No other option can come anywhere close to this delivery schedule.
Beyond capability and delivery, Hanwha Ocean emphasized its commitment to a long-term strategic partnership with Canada, creating jobs and economic growth, strengthening defence capabilities, and deepening bilateral cooperation between South Korea and Canada in-line with Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. Hanwha already has MOUs and teaming agreements in place with more than a dozen Canadian companies, laying the foundation for robust collaboration.
Quotes
“CPSP is about more than delivering submarines, it is about establishing a long-term partnership with Canada that combines capability with economic opportunities.”
Charlie SC Eoh, President and COO of Hanwha Ocean
“As Canada rebuilds, rearms, and reinvests in our Canadian Armed Forces, it was a pleasure to see and learn more about what Hanwha Ocean, one of the two qualified suppliers for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, has to offer.”
Stefanie Beck, Canada’s Deputy Minister of National Defence
About KSS-III Canadian Patrol Submarine (www.KSS-III.ca)
The KSS-III Canadian Patrol Submarine (KSS-III CPS) is South Korea’s latest evolution in conventional submarine technology—indigenously designed and constructed through decades of spiral development of a modern, conventional, ocean-going submarine. Over the last four decades, Hanwha Ocean has continued to evolve a proven MOTS submarine design culminating with the latest batch of the KSS submarine fleet.
Equipped with Lithium-ion batteries and an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, the KSSIII CPS offers the longest submerged endurance among conventional submarines in service. The platform is fully optimized for Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Minelaying, and Special Operations Forces (SOF) support.
KSS-III is not an export-only model—it is the same class of submarine actively operated by the Republic of Korea Navy in real-world conditions. This ensures Canada will benefit from a proven platform, backed by an established supply chain and validated operational and maintenance data throughout the 30+ years of in-service support (ISS).
The KSS-III is the backbone of the ROK Navy submarine force. Acquisition of the KSS-III would allow Canada to be a member of the international KSS-III User Group which consists of a growing number of nations.
About Hanwha Ocean (www.hanwhaocean.com/en)
Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje, South Korea, spanning 5 square kilometres, is one of the largest and most advanced shipbuilding facilities in the world and is where we build the KSS-III submarine. With more than 21,000 employees, Hanwha Ocean specializes in the design and construction of various naval and commercial vessels, including submarines, destroyers, frigates, auxiliary vessels, container ships, and tankers as well as offshore platforms, drilling rigs, Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units and Floating Production Units (FPUs).
For more than forty (40) years, Hanwha Ocean has been building and servicing submarines for the Republic of Korea Navy and other navies.
Since 1973, the company has built more than 1,400 vessels, including 114 naval vessels. The company designed and delivered the first KSS-III to the Republic of Korea Navy in 2021, and the second in 2023.
In 2023 alone, Hanwha Ocean constructed 41 naval and commercial vessels.