According to industry sources on May 31, Hanwha Ocean showcased the proven capabilities of the KSS-III submarine, currently in operation with the Republic of Korea Navy, along with its industrial cooperation strategy across Canada. The key themes highlighted were "submarine capabilities" and "contributions to the Canadian economy."
Notably, on the second day of the exhibition, Ontario's Economic Development Minister Victor Fedeli visited the Hanwha Ocean booth. During the event, representatives from major defense companies, including Seaspan, Irving Shipbuilding, Babcock Canada, and CAE, as well as officials from Invest Nova Scotia and the University of Waterloo, also attended.
Hanwha Ocean introduced its "Pan-Canada Economic Strategy," detailing the industrial cooperation network and economic impact it has established to date. The company has formed partnerships with over 100 Canadian businesses and institutions across sectors such as shipbuilding, defense, automotive, advanced manufacturing, energy, aerospace, infrastructure, and high technology. This foundation supports local production, technology transfer, supply chain participation, workforce development, and maintenance capabilities.
If selected as a contractor for the CPSP, Hanwha Ocean envisions creating more than 22,500 jobs annually and generating approximately $94 billion in GDP impact. This initiative is framed as a national industrial project that will provide long-term growth momentum for Canada’s manufacturing and defense ecosystems, extending beyond mere submarine acquisition.
Colton LeBlanc, Nova Scotia's Minister of Growth and Development, discussed provincial-level cooperation regarding the CPSP project during his visit to the Hanwha Ocean booth, alongside LIG D&A. On the first day, APMA President Flavio Volpe remarked, "The collaboration between Hanwha and APMA will serve as an important starting point for expanding industrial cooperation between Canada and Korea. I hope we can continue long-term cooperation with our Korean partners to enhance Canada’s future industrial competitiveness."
Hanwha Ocean also actively promoted the KSS-III submarine's verified operational capabilities and technical strengths. The KSS-III is the world's first diesel submarine to utilize both air-independent propulsion (AIP) and lithium-ion batteries, offering excellent submerged endurance and operational flexibility. It is recognized as a platform that meets the Canadian Navy's next-generation submarine requirements, thanks to its advanced low-noise design technology and combat systems that enable various maritime operations.
Additionally, Chief of Naval Operations Kim Kyung-ryul, Defense Acquisition Program Administration Commissioner Lee Yong-cheol, and Korean Ambassador to Canada Lim Ki-moo visited the Hanwha booth to engage with key figures in Canadian politics and industry, further supporting efforts to secure the CPSP contract.
Kim Hee-cheol, CEO of Hanwha Ocean, stated, "CANSEC 2026 demonstrated that the CPSP project proposed by Hanwha Ocean is not just a submarine acquisition initiative but a long-term industrial cooperation model that will grow alongside the Canadian industry. Hanwha Ocean aims to be a trusted long-term partner that contributes to enhancing Canada’s security capabilities and economic growth, based on our proven submarine technology and extensive industrial cooperation network across Canada."
Meanwhile, Hanwha Ocean is working to increase its chances of securing contracts by establishing a "Pan-Canada Economic Strategy" that includes partnerships with over 100 Canadian defense companies and universities, promising local job creation and technology transfer tailored to the Canadian political and industrial landscape.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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