Hanwha Ocean Makes Final Push to Secure Submarine Contract at Canada's Largest Defense Exhibition

Showcasing the Capabilities of the KSS-III Submarine and the Pan-Canada Economic Strategy

Presenting the Creation of 22,500 Jobs Annually and Projected GDP Impact

Hanwha Ocean announced on May 31 that it participated in CANSEC 2026, Canada’s largest defense industry exhibition, which opened on the 27th (local time), and carried out final activities to secure the contract for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).

At the Hanwha Ocean booth at the 'CANSEC 2026' exhibition held in Ottawa, Canada, Seungkyun Jung, Vice President and Head of Special Ship Overseas Business at Hanwha Ocean (left), is introducing the latest submarine, the KSS-III model, to Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development for Ontario. Hanwha Ocean

During the exhibition, Hanwha Ocean introduced the performance of the KSS-III submarine, which is currently operated by the Republic of Korea Navy, as well as its industrial cooperation strategy spanning across Canada.

The KSS-III is the world’s first diesel-electric submarine to feature both Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) and lithium-ion batteries. It boasts superior underwater endurance and operational flexibility. In addition, based on its advanced low-noise design technology and combat systems, it is capable of carrying out a wide range of maritime operations, making it recognized as a platform that meets the next-generation submarine requirements of the Royal Canadian Navy.

Within the exhibition hall, Hanwha Ocean presented its 'Pan-Canada Economic Strategy', highlighting the industrial cooperation network it has established to date and the resulting economic impact. The company has built cooperative relationships with more than 100 Canadian companies and institutions in sectors such as shipbuilding, defense, automotive, advanced manufacturing, energy, aerospace, infrastructure, and advanced technology. Leveraging this foundation, Hanwha Ocean is pursuing local production, technology transfer, supply chain participation, workforce training, and maintenance capability enhancement.

Hanwha Ocean also presented its vision that, if selected as the contractor for the Canadian CPSP, it could create more than 22,500 jobs annually and generate approximately 94 billion dollars in GDP impact based on its existing industrial cooperation network.

The exhibition featured a special section introducing the case of the Republic of Korea Navy’s Dosan Ahn Changho-class submarine, which sailed approximately 14,000 kilometers from Korea to dock at Esquimalt Naval Base in Canada on May 23.

Hanwha Ocean stated that Victor Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, and Colton LeBlanc, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Growth and Development, visited its booth to discuss potential cooperation.

Additionally, representatives from major defense companies such as Seaspan, Irving Shipbuilding, Babcock Canada, and CAE, as well as officials from Invest Nova Scotia and the University of Waterloo, also visited Hanwha Ocean’s booth.

During the exhibition, Hanwha Ocean also consulted with the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA) of Canada regarding mutual cooperation in building a supply chain for ground weapon systems.

Kim Heecheol, CEO of Hanwha Ocean, stated, “This CANSEC 2026 demonstrated that Hanwha Ocean’s CPSP proposal is not merely a submarine acquisition project, but a long-term industrial cooperation model that grows alongside Canadian industry. Based on our proven submarine technology and Canada-wide industrial cooperation network, Hanwha Ocean will be a reliable long-term partner contributing to Canada’s security capabilities and economic growth.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.