South Korea showcases submarines in British Columbia to win Canadian contract

South Korea’s defence firm Hanwha Ocean displayed two KSS‑III submarines, ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho and ROKS Daejeon, in Victoria, British Columbia. Rear Admiral David Patchell, commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, thanked the South Korean crew and said the ships illustrate what Canada could acquire under a new submarine programme.

Canada is evaluating two offers for a fleet of 12 new submarines: Hanwha’s bid from South Korea and a competing proposal from Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), which is backed by the German and Norwegian governments. Both bidders have pledged to involve Canadian companies in the supply chain; Hanwha also proposes to build military vehicles in partnership with Canada’s auto sector. A decision on the contract is expected in June, with the first four subs slated for delivery by 2032.

Hanwha has run an advertising campaign across Canada to raise awareness of its KSS‑III design, while TKMS highlights its partnerships with Bombardier and Lockheed Martin Canada. The procurement is seen as a step toward making Canada a “submarine nation” and enhancing defence of its extensive coastlines.