Hanwha Ocean Docks KSS-III Submarine in B.C. as Ottawa Weighs Two Competing Bids
A South Korean submarine and its escort warship arrived in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday in a high-stakes display of naval hardware, as Seoul-based defence contractor Hanwha Ocean makes its case to build Canada’s next fleet of submarines.
The ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho submarine and the ROKS Daejeon frigate sailed into port after a two-month journey from South Korea’s Jinhae Naval Base. The visit is part of Hanwha’s aggressive campaign to secure what could be one of the largest defence procurement contracts in Canadian history.
A Decision Expected in June
Canada has received two competing bids for the submarine contract: one from South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean and one from Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). Both bidders have been told to expect a government decision in June, with first delivery targeted for 2032.
Rear Adm. David Patchell, commander of Maritime Forces Pacific and Joint Task Force Pacific, welcomed the South Korean vessels and underscored the urgency of the acquisition.
“I need them yesterday,” Patchell said. “Canada needs a navy. We are the largest maritime, the longest coastline in the world — 244,000 kilometres stretched across three oceans.”
Canada is seeking a total of 12 submarines, a fleet Patchell said would make the country a “submarine nation.”
Hanwha’s Pitch: Speed, Industry, and Visibility
The KSS-III submarine now docked in Victoria is the same model Hanwha is proposing to deliver to the Royal Canadian Navy. The company has paired its naval pitch with a broader economic offer, pledging to manufacture military vehicles on Canadian soil in partnership with the domestic auto sector — including mobile howitzers, rocket launch systems, and infantry fighting vehicles.
“What we’ve heard loud and clear is to deliver the first four submarines as quickly as possible with no modifications,” said Glenn Copeland, CEO of Hanwha Canada.
Hanwha has also mounted a visible public relations campaign, with advertisements for its KSS-III submarine appearing on YouTube, billboards, and other media as the company works to raise its profile in Ottawa.
Germany Counters with NATO Partnership Argument
TKMS, the German competitor, is taking a different approach. Its bid is backed by the governments of Germany and Norway, which are positioning the offer as a deeper partnership with NATO allies rather than a straight commercial transaction.
TKMS spokesperson Nils Beyer said in April that the strength of the German bid lies in its “depth of government-backed engagement,” including targeted investment mechanisms, strategic infrastructure supports, and long-term financial frameworks.
TKMS has also worked to embed Canadian companies in its supply chain, announcing partnerships with Bombardier and Lockheed Martin Canada. The company declined to comment further on specific aspects of the bid while the government’s assessment is ongoing.
Canada’s Aging Submarine Fleet
The procurement comes as Canada’s existing submarine fleet — four Victoria-class vessels acquired second-hand from the United Kingdom in the 1990s — continues to age. The Royal Canadian Navy has faced persistent operational challenges with the aging boats, which have spent significant periods out of service.
Patchell struck an optimistic tone about the broader naval build-up underway, noting that Canada is also acquiring new destroyers and supply ships alongside the submarine program.
“It’s excitement about the Royal Canadian Navy that we are building,” he said. “We are building the navy Canada needs to defend all three of our oceans.”
