Hanwha Ocean of South Korea signs MOUs with Canadian partners at CANSEC 2025
BlackBerry and L3Harris join Hanwha Ocean’s KSS-III Canadian Patrol Submarine Team
May 28/29, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Today, Hanwha Ocean of South Korea, signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Canadian partners BlackBerry and L3Harris for long-term cooperation on the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.
The MOU with BlackBerry (Waterloo, Ontario) is related to their secure communications product portfolio and embedded software solutions.
The MOU with L3Harris (Ottawa, Ontario) is related to their integrated platform management system, integrated communications system, steering diving & control system, and other L3Harris maritime capabilities.
The KSS-III Canadian Patrol Submarine (KSS-III CPS) is proven, in-service, in-production, has the fastest delivery and meets all the Royal Canadian Navy’s operational requirements for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.
Hanwha Ocean can deliver the first KSS-III CPS in just six years, followed by additional units at a pace of one per year. Assuming a contract award in 2026, the first four submarines can be delivered by 2035 (the first delivered in 2032) to fully replace Canada’s current Victoria Class submarine fleet. Earlier retirement of this fleet will result in estimated savings of approximately $900 Million. The additional 8 submarines will be delivered at a rate of one per year, meaning the entire fleet of 12 can be delivered to Canada by 2043.
In 2024 and 2023, Hanwha Ocean signed a Teaming Agreement and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with CAE, Gastops and Curtiss-Wright Indal Technologies, Modest Tree, Des Nedhe Group and J Squared Technologies for long-term cooperation on the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.
The Teaming Agreement with CAE (Montreal, Quebec) is related to integrated training solutions and critical operations support solutions.
The MOU with Gastops (Ottawa, Ontario) is related to propulsion systems machinery control, modelling and simulation.
The MOU with Curtis-Wright Indal Technologies (Mississauga, Ontario) is related to towed array handling and winch system.
The MOU with Modest Tree (Halifax, Nova Scotia) related to immersive training and digital in-service support solutions.
The MOU with Des Nedhe Group (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) related to economic sustainability.
The MOU with J Squared Technologies (Ottawa, Ontario) related to critical capabilities for sea platforms.
Quotes
“We see significant opportunities for synergies between Hanwha Ocean and these Canadian partners – BlackBerry and L3Harris. With the signing of these MOUs, Hanwha can begin developing strategic relationships with these partners, which will also enhance and strengthen the relationship between Canada and South Korea.”
Michael Coulter, President & CEO, Hanwha Global Defence
“We are proud to partner with Hanwha Ocean in fostering advanced, secure solutions that address critical defense needs for the Royal Canadian Navy. This collaboration underscores BlackBerry's commitment to enabling sovereign and resilient technologies. Together, we aim to drive innovation and deliver strategic value to today’s evolving security landscape.”
John Dimitropoulos, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, BlackBerry
“The Hanwa industry team is focused on collaboration to deliver the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project capability the nation needs. L3Harris has a strong footprint in Canada and a longstanding relationship with the Royal Canadian Navy, which position us to bring significant value to the Hanwha team and to Canada.”
Rich Foster, Chief Executive and Vice President, L3Harris Canada
About the 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 KSS-III 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)
Hanwha Ocean, founded in 1973, is one of the world’s premium shipbuilders. With more than 21,000 employees, the company 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.
Hanwha Corporation, with more than 100,000 employees and 91 subsidiaries globally, is the Republic of Korea’s leading defence company. As part of the company’s plan to expand into North America, including the recent acquisition of Philly Shipyard in Pennsylvania, Hanwha is committed to establishing a robust and long-term presence in Canada that will create jobs and boost economic growth, and accelerate the country’s defence capabilities.
About BlackBerry (www.BlackBerry.com)
BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides enterprises and governments the intelligent software and services that power the world around us. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company’s high-performance foundational software enables major automakers and industrial giants alike to unlock transformative applications, drive new revenue streams and launch innovative business models, all without sacrificing safety, security, and reliability. With a deep heritage in Secure Communications, BlackBerry delivers operational resiliency with a comprehensive, highly secure, and extensively certified portfolio for mobile fortification, mission-critical communications, and critical events management.
About L3Harris (www.L3Harris.com)
L3Harris Technologies is the Trusted Disruptor in the defense industry. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.