A Strategic Visit: Canada’s Defence Leadership Tours Hanwha Ocean’s Submarine Yard

On September 7, 2025, Canada’s Deputy Minister of National Defence, Stefanie Beck, stepped onto the sprawling grounds of Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje, South Korea. The visit underscored the growing defence ties between Canada and South Korea while putting a spotlight on one of the most consequential procurement decisions in Canada’s modern naval history: the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).

A Firsthand Look at the KSS-III

Beck and the Canadian delegation were granted rare access to the KSS-III Batch-II submarine—Hanwha Ocean’s flagship platform and the very model proposed to replace Canada’s aging Victoria Class fleet. More than a walk-through, the tour allowed the delegation to immerse themselves in the operational realities of a submarine designed to carry Canadian sailors beneath the Arctic ice, across the Atlantic, and into the vast Pacific.

The briefing went well beyond technical specifications. Hanwha’s team demonstrated the submarine’s original design and construction process, illustrating why the KSS-III Batch-II is seen as the most advanced conventional submarine currently in active production.

“CPSP is about more than delivering submarines, it is about establishing a long-term partnership with Canada that combines capability with economic opportunities,” conveyed Charlie SC Eoh, President and COO of Hanwha Ocean.

Beyond Steel: Economic Benefits for Canada

Hanwha Ocean used the occasion to present its broader economic vision for Canada. Their proposal extends far beyond the submarines themselves: a full transfer of technology, establishment of comprehensive in-service support (ISS) capabilities within Canada, and wide-ranging cooperation spanning defence, space, sustainable energy, and critical minerals.

These measures, Hanwha argues, would not only strengthen Canada’s defence industrial base but also create lasting partnerships that align directly with Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. Already, the company has signed memoranda of understanding and teaming agreements with more than a dozen Canadian firms, laying the groundwork for substantial job creation and domestic growth.

Meeting Canada’s High-Level Requirements

In August 2025, the KSS-III CPS was officially selected by the Government of Canada as a qualified supplier for the CPSP. It is currently the only platform in service and active production that meets—and in many cases exceeds—the High-Level Mandatory Requirements (HLMRs) laid out by Ottawa.

From superior underwater surveillance systems to unmatched Arctic endurance and range, the KSS-III delivers the stealth, persistence, and lethality Canada requires to detect, track, deter, and, if necessary, defeat threats across all three of its oceans.

Delivery at Speed and Scale

Perhaps the most compelling part of Hanwha’s pitch is its delivery schedule. If awarded a contract in 2026, the company says it could provide four submarines to replace the Victoria Class before 2035. That early transition would not only modernize Canada’s undersea fleet but also save the government an estimated $1 billion in maintenance and support costs on the older vessels.

The timeline doesn’t stop there: Hanwha projects it can deliver an additional eight submarines—one per year—culminating in a fleet of 12 Canadian Patrol Submarines by 2043. No other contender, the company asserts, comes close to matching this pace.

A Partnership Anchored in Strategy

Beyond the numbers and capabilities, Hanwha Ocean emphasized its commitment to being more than a supplier. The company envisions itself as a strategic partner, one that will enhance Canada’s defence posture, strengthen bilateral cooperation, and contribute to the nation’s broader security and economic objectives in the Indo-Pacific region.

Deputy Minister Beck’s visit, then, was more than symbolic. It marked a moment where Canada had the chance to look directly at a potential cornerstone of its future naval power, while exploring a partnership that could shape the trajectory of Canadian defence and industry for decades to come.

“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,” said Stefanie Beck, Canada’s Deputy Minister of National Defence.