Hanwha Ocean highlights the KSS-III as the best solution for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) at CANSEC 2026
Press Release
The arrival of the Korean Navy KSS-III in Canada on May 23 demonstrates that the submarine is tested, proven, in-service, fully NATO interoperable, in-production, and is the lowest risk and fastest delivery option that meets and exceeds all requirements for CPSP
Hanwha also has the best CPSP economic package for Canada – agreements in place with more than 100 Canadian organizations which is projected to result in more than $60 Billion in trade and investment, more than 22,500 jobs annually and more than $94 billion in GDP if selected for CPSP
Ottawa, ON, May 27, 2026
Hanwha Ocean, participating in CANSEC for the third year, reinforced its plans to be a long-term industrial and defence partner for Canada, highlighting both its advanced submarine capabilities and significant industrial partnerships across Canada.
This year, at Canada’s largest defence and security exhibition, Hanwha Ocean focused its presence on two core themes: Submarine Capability and Economic Benefits for Canada. The company actively highlighted its KSS-III submarine platform, emphasizing its operationally proven capabilities, advanced underwater endurance, and next-generation technologies that meet and exceed the Royal Canadian Navy’s requirements for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), while also underscoring the long-term industrial and economic benefits its partnership strategy could bring to Canada.
The KSS-III is the world’s first diesel-electric submarine class to integrate both Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology and lithium-ion battery systems, enabling exceptional submerged endurance and operational flexibility. The platform also incorporates advanced acoustic quieting technologies designed to minimize underwater radiated noise, alongside a highly capable combat system architecture able to deploy a broad range of weapons systems, including torpedoes and cruise missiles.
Hanwha Ocean also highlighted its continuously growing “Pan-Canada Economic Strategy” showcasing partnerships and industrial engagement initiatives spanning multiple provinces and sectors across Canada. To date, Hanwha has established teaming agreements and MOUs with more than 100 Canadian companies spanning shipbuilding, defence, advanced manufacturing, automotive, energy, aerospace, infrastructure, and high technology. Hanwha aims to support Canadian supply chain participation, local manufacturing capability, workforce development, technology transfer, and long-term in-service support and sustainment capacity.
The company stated that this collaborative industrial approach reflects its commitment to helping strengthen Canada’s sovereign industrial base while generating sustainable economic and technological benefits across multiple regions and sectors nationwide. Through these partnerships, Hanwha Ocean continues to support sovereign industrial capability, domestic manufacturing growth, and sustainable economic benefits aligned with Canada’s long-term defence priorities.
A special feature of Hanwha’s exhibit commemorated the arrival of the Republic of Korea Navy submarine Dosan Ahn Changho at CFB Esquimalt in Victoria following a trans-Pacific voyage of more than 14,000 kilometres from Korea to Canada.
Hanwha Ocean continues to position itself as a long-term strategic partner for Canada by combining advanced naval capability with industrial participation, technology collaboration, workforce development, and sustained economic engagement across the Canadian industrial base.
Quotes
“The future of Canada’s defence industrial strategy is not simply about acquiring military platforms — it is about building trusted, long-term industrial partnerships that strengthen sovereign capability, create high-quality jobs, and support Canadian industry across the country. Hanwha Ocean is committed to becoming a trusted long-term partner for Canada through local investment, industrial cooperation, workforce development, and sustained economic engagement that supports Canada’s ‘Buy Canadian’ approach.”
Charlie SC Eoh, President, Hanwha Ocean
About the KSS-III Canadian Patrol Submarine (www.KSS-III.ca)
Hanwha Ocean’s KSS-III is a proven, in-service, in-active production submarine that fully meets and exceeds all requirements for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). 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.
The KSS-III is the world’s first diesel-electric submarine class to integrate both Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology and lithium-ion battery systems, enabling exceptional submerged endurance and operational flexibility. The platform also incorporates advanced acoustic quieting technologies designed to minimize underwater radiated noise, alongside a highly capable combat system architecture able to deploy a broad range of weapons systems, including torpedoes and cruise missiles.
About Hanwha Ocean (www.HanwhaOcean.com)
Hanwha Ocean is a leading global shipbuilder with more than four decades of experience in complex naval and commercial shipbuilding programs. Supported by its large-scale, integrated shipyard in Geoje, South Korea that spans 5-square kilometers and has more than 31,000 employees, the company combines proven industrial capacity with operational experience to deliver modern, in-service naval platforms backed by a resilient through-life support model.
Since its establishment in 1973, Hanwha Ocean has delivered more than 1,400 vessels worldwide and has built deep expertise in the design, construction and sustainment of submarines and surface combatants for the Republic of Korea Navy. The company builds approximately 45 commercial and naval ships each year.
Hanwha is committed to establishing a robust and long-term partnership with the Government of Canada and Canadian industry in several strategic areas that will create jobs and economic growth, accelerate Canada’s defence capabilities, and enhance cooperation, partnership and supply chains between Canada and South Korea – a relationship that is becoming increasingly important, and one that supports the objectives of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. Hanwha has teaming agreements, MOUs and contracts in place with more 70 Canadian companies and institutions, including those listed here: www.kss-iii.ca/canadian-partners/.
I just hope that whichever sub they pick, they get the actual benefits that are promised. It would not be the first time we were promised the stars and the moon and a decade later we were still sitting starless and moonless.
Apparently the PM said the announcement will be Late June, likley after the G7 meetings.