Canadian prime minister visits Hanwha Ocean - KSS-III Batch II showcased amid growing naval cooperation

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Hanwha Ocean Ltd. on Thursday, where he was presented with one of the world’s most advanced conventional submarines — the KSS-III Batch II. The visit took place as Ottawa continues to evaluate proposals for the acquisition of four new submarines worth several billion dollars.

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31 october 2025 | 13:56 | Source: Gazeta Morska | Prepared by: Kamil Kusier | Print

fot. Marynarka Wojenna Korei Południowej

Lacking domestic submarine construction capability, Canada is seeking a partnership with an experienced shipbuilder operating an active production line. Hanwha Ocean, in cooperation with Hyundai Heavy Industries, has presented a comprehensive offer to deliver four KSS-III–class submarines capable of deploying long-range cruise missiles.

During the presentation, one of the displayed submarines symbolically sailed under the Canadian flag, underscoring the Korean industry’s readiness for technology transfer and strategic cooperation.

Prime Minister Carney was joined by South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, and earlier held talks with President Lee Jae Myung, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation in maritime security, defense technologies, and industrial partnerships. The Canadian government is expected to make its final supplier decision in 2026.

South Korea has pledged to deliver all four submarines by 2035, aligning with Canada’s plan to retire its aging Victoria-class fleet.

- We were honored to present our advanced naval engineering capabilities to Prime Minister Carney, said Steve Jeong, Executive Vice President of Hanwha Ocean and former Vice Admiral of the Republic of Korea Navy. - Our goal is to provide proven, modern, and fully interoperable solutions to our allies and partners.

Naval leadership engagement

As part of the visit, the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) played an active role in supporting the ongoing dialogue on submarine acquisition and cooperation.

ROKN Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gang Dong-gil, met with Royal Canadian Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Angus Kinsch, at the Jinhae Naval Harbor on October 31. The meeting focused on the establishment of a tailored support system for Canada’s future submarine program, covering crew training, maintenance, and lifecycle support.

Admiral Gang introduced the concept of an integrated training and sustainment framework that could be incorporated into any potential industrial agreement between the two nations.

Rear Admiral Kinsch also experienced the operational excellence of Korean submarine technology firsthand, visiting the ROKN training vessel Jang Yeong-sil and embarking on a four-night, five-day voyage aboard the submarine Dosan Ahn Chang-ho. The at-sea experience offered the Canadian delegation an in-depth understanding of the Korean Navy’s operational standards and the technological maturity of its submarine fleet.

Proven KSS-III technology

The KSS-III platform, designed and operationally validated by the Republic of Korea Navy, stands among the most advanced conventionally powered submarines in the world. It features air-independent propulsion (AIP), a state-of-the-art combat management system, and the capability to launch long-range cruise missiles exceeding 1,500 km.

This same technology forms the core of Hanwha Ocean’s proposal for Poland’s ORKA program, which aims to deliver a new generation of submarines to the Polish Navy.

With an active production line, export experience, and proven operational capability, Hanwha Ocean remains one of the few global shipbuilders offering a fully tested, modern, and in-service conventional submarine design of this generation.

Strengthening industrial partnerships

Hanwha Ocean has already established formal partnerships with the Polish shipbuilding industry. In May 2025, during the MADEX 2025 defense exhibition in Busan, Hanwha Ocean signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with PGZ Stocznia Wojenna and Stocznia Remontowa Nauta.

The agreements cover technology transfer, joint construction, MRO (maintenance, repair & overhaul) activities, and cooperation on green maritime technologies. PGZ SW focuses on joint development of surface vessels and unmanned systems, while Stocznia Nauta specializes in submarine maintenance and lifecycle support.

The partnership is also linked to Hanwha’s proposal under Poland’s ORKA submarine program, ensuring local industrial participation and long-term capability building within the Polish defense shipbuilding sector.

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