Canadian Prime Minister’s Upcoming Visit to South Korea
In Victoria, British Columbia, it has been announced that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will journey to South Korea towards the end of October. His visit aims to inspect the facilities of Hanwha Ocean, as the selection process for Canada’s new submarine fleet supplier has narrowed down to two contenders.
During a statement made in Berlin on August 26, Carney disclosed that thyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Hanwha Ocean are the two remaining companies in the running to provide up to 12 conventionally-powered submarines for Canada’s naval forces.
Following his announcement in Berlin, Carney visited thyssenKrupp’s facilities in Kiel, northern Germany, on the same day. He confirmed his plans to also tour Hanwha Ocean’s facilities during his upcoming trip to South Korea, which coincides with the APEC South Korea 2025 Summit scheduled from October 31 to November 1.
Carney highlighted the rigorous requirements for the new submarines at a press conference in Berlin alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He emphasized that the vessels must be capable of operating under Arctic ice for extended periods and enduring challenging conditions along Canada’s various coastlines.
“This stringent criteria quickly narrows down the field,” Carney explained to reporters, commending the capabilities of both competing consortia.
Public Services and Procurement Canada issued a separate statement on the same day, stating ongoing in-depth engagements with the two finalists to progress the procurement process. The initiative aims to utilize the submarine project to foster economic benefits within Canada’s marine and defense sectors throughout the operational life of the fleet.
Details on Canada’s Submarine Acquisition Program
The Canadian government officially initiated the process to acquire a new fleet of submarines by seeking information from potential suppliers in September 2024. The request included details on the costs of producing eight or twelve submarines, among other specifications. Although specific budget details have not yet been disclosed, defense and industry experts estimate the project’s cost could exceed 60 billion Canadian dollars (approximately 44 billion U.S. dollars).
Officials have noted that the existing fleet of Victoria-class submarines, operated by the Royal Canadian Navy, will be phased out by the mid-2030s. To prevent a capability gap, the government aims to finalize a contract by 2028, ensuring the delivery of the first new submarine by no later than 2035.
ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems has proposed its Type 212CD submarine, which is currently under joint development with Norway, for the Canadian project. On the other hand, Hanwha Ocean is offering its KSS-III model, already active in service with the South Korean navy.
Both firms have committed to closely collaborating with Canadian companies throughout the project. TKMS CEO Oliver Burkhard noted to the Canadian Press on August 26 that their submarines are particularly well-suited for Arctic conditions and operations beneath ice.
Hanwha revealed on August 27 that if a contract is secured next year, it could deliver four KSS-III submarines before 2035, with the remaining eight following at a rate of one per year, completing the fleet of 12 by 2043.
Royal Canadian Navy Commodore Jason Armstrong, Director General of Naval Force Development, informed industry representatives on April 10, 2025, that the first submarine from the new class is expected to be delivered in 2035, with initial operational capability achieved by 2037.
The briefing document provided by Canada’s Department of National Defence outlined that the new submarines would have a stealth capacity up to 3,500 nautical miles and could conduct covert patrols for 21 days. They will be equipped with heavy torpedoes, anti-ship cruise missiles, and precision-strike capabilities.
Canada’s current Victoria-class submarines, initially known as Upholder-class, were acquired second-hand from the Royal Navy. The first three were incorporated into the Royal Canadian Navy between 2000 and 2003. The fourth submarine faced delays entering service until 2015 due to a fire incident during transit to Canada in 2004.
These submarines are undergoing various upgrades to remain operational until their decommissioning in the mid to late 2030s.
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Jamal Peterson reports on defense, aerospace, and tech policy. With a military background and a strategic mind, he dissects complex subjects with clarity, offering readers sharp, reliable insights.
