SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - A Canadian business and government delegation led by Stephen Fuhr, Canada’s minister of state for defense procurement, visited Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje on Monday as Ottawa advances plans for its Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).
Fuhr, who oversees procurement for the program estimated at about 60 trillion won, toured Hanwha Ocean’s assembly facilities with roughly 30 Canadian government and industry representatives, reviewing automated production systems including robotic welding lines.
Executives from major Canadian shipbuilders — Ontario Shipyard, Irving Shipbuilding, Davie and Seaspan Shipyard — also joined the visit.
The delegation later boarded the submarine Jang Young-sil, currently undergoing sea trials, to review its operational capabilities. Hanwha Ocean CEO Kim Hee-cheol and company executives, along with South Korea’s Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee and other officials, guided the tour.
The minister also visited construction areas where follow-on submarines are being built, showing interest in the yard’s production capacity and advanced manufacturing systems.
Fuhr coordinates Canada’s defense procurement policy and represents the government on major projects including CPSP, overseeing strategic requirements, industrial participation and cooperation with allies. He also supervises the Defense Investment Agency, launched last year as part of efforts to streamline and accelerate military procurement.
Hanwha Ocean and affiliate Hanwha Systems signed memorandums of understanding on Jan. 26 in Canada with five local firms in sectors including steel, artificial intelligence and space, outlining cooperation and investment plans to support a CPSP bid.
Kim described Fuhr’s visit as an on-site review of Hanwha Ocean’s proposal, adding the company aims to provide the Royal Canadian Navy with an optimal solution while building long-term partnerships with Canadian industry.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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