Hanwha Ocean-Built KSS-III submarine completes voyage to Canada

The Republic of Korea Navy submarine Dosan Ahn Changho, a KSS-III class vessel built by Hanwha Ocean at its Geoje shipyard, has arrived at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt near Victoria, British Columbia, following a two-month voyage of approximately 14,000 kilometres from Jinhae Naval Base in South Korea.

The submarine made logistical stops in Guam and Hawaii, where two Royal Canadian Navy submariners embarked for the final leg of the journey, demonstrating operational integration between the two navies.

The visit is directly connected to Canada’s Patrol Submarine Project, for which Hanwha Ocean is proposing the KSS-III as its candidate vessel.

The submarine and an accompanying ROK Navy frigate, Daejeon, will participate in joint exercises with the Royal Canadian Navy, showcasing interoperability with NATO allies and demonstrating the vessel’s operational capabilities in Canadian waters.

Hanwha Ocean describes the KSS-III as a proven, in-service platform fully meeting and exceeding the Royal Canadian Navy’s requirements, including underwater surveillance capability, Arctic deployability, extended range and endurance.

Hanwha Ocean’s proposal includes delivery of four KSS-III submarines before 2035 if contracts are awarded in 2026, with a further eight vessels delivered at a rate of one per year, completing a fleet of 12 submarines by 2043.

The company asserts this represents the fastest available delivery schedule among competing proposals, with early retirement of the current Victoria Class fleet projected to generate approximately CAD 1 billion in maintenance and support cost savings.

An analysis by KPMG estimated the total economic opportunity at CA$ 60 billion for the period 2026 to 2044, supporting an average of 22,500 full-time positions annually and generating CA$ 94 billion in GDP across Canada.

Industrial commitments include construction of maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities on both coasts, technology transfer, supply chain localisation and partnerships with Canadian companies including Geospectrum Technologies, Ultra Maritime, OSI Maritime Systems and Curtiss-Wright INDAL Technologies across sonar, underwater sensors and naval combat systems.

A partnership with the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association of Canada would establish a new Canadian entity producing military and industrial vehicles using Canadian steel and aluminium, contingent on contract award.

Hanwha also proposes the establishment of the Hanwha Arctic and Defence Innovation Centre in Canada, designed as a hub for advanced defence research and development encompassing artificial intelligence, autonomy, digital engineering, advanced manufacturing and next-generation naval applications, involving Canadian universities, research institutions and technology firms.

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