South Korean Submarine Arrives in Canada for Defense Deal Showcase
South Korea's KSS-III submarine *ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho* completed its first trans-Pacific voyage, arriving at CFB Esquimalt in Victoria, British Columbia, on May 23, 2026. The 14,000-kilometer journey demonstrated long-range capability as part of South Korea’s bid for Canada’s $44 billion contract to supply up to 12 new submarines. The visit included joint exercises with the Royal Canadian Navy and high-level naval talks in Ottawa. Canada is evaluating bids from South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean and Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, with a decision expected by summer 2026.
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KSS-III submarine docks in Canada ahead of contract bid
The Republic of Korea Navy's KSS-III class submarine ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho has docked at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, British Columbia, as Hanwha Ocean promotes its platform for Canada's multibillion-dollar Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). The vessel arrived on 23 May 2025 after a 14,000-kilometre transit from South Korea. Hanwha Ocean is competing with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for the contract to replace Canada's four aging Victoria-class submarines with 12 new vessels. Hanwha's proposal includes establishing maintenance facilities on both coasts, training centers, technology transfer, and local supply chains. It offers to deliver four submarines before 2035 and the remaining eight by 2043. A KPMG assessment estimates the industrial package could generate $60 billion in economic opportunities and $94 billion in GDP from 2026 to 2044, supporting 22,500 jobs annually. Hanwha has also partnered with Canadian firms for sonar, combat systems, and support services.
Naval TechnologySouth Korean KSS-III Submarine Docks in Canada Ahead of Patrol Contract Bid
The Republic of Korea Navy's KSS-III class submarine, ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho, has docked at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in British Columbia. This visit is part of a strategic demonstration by South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean, which is competing to secure Canada's new patrol submarine contract under the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). The docking allows Canadian officials and naval personnel to inspect the advanced diesel-electric submarine, highlighting its capabilities as a potential solution for Canada's future underwater patrol needs. The move underscores growing defense cooperation between South Korea and Canada, as well as the competitive nature of the global submarine market.
Naval TechnologyKSS-III submarine docks in Canada ahead of contract bid
The Republic of Korea Navy's KSS-III class submarine ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho docked at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, British Columbia, on May 23, 2025, after a 14,000-kilometer transit from South Korea. Hanwha Ocean is showcasing the platform as part of its bid for Canada's multibillion-dollar Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), which aims to replace four aging Victoria-class submarines with 12 new vessels. Hanwha proposes delivering four submarines before 2035 and the remaining eight by 2043, along with establishing maintenance facilities, training centers, and local supply chains in Canada. The company has partnered with Canadian firms including Geospectrum Technologies and Ultra Maritime. A KPMG assessment estimates the proposal could generate $60 billion in economic opportunities and 22,500 jobs annually. The German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) is also shortlisted for the contract with its Type 212CD submarine.
Naval TechnologySouth Korea’s First Trans-Pacific Submarine Deployment Reaches Canada
The Republic of Korea Navy's KSS-III submarine ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho arrived at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in Victoria, British Columbia, on May 23, completing the first trans-Pacific voyage by a South Korean submarine. The 3,000-ton-class submarine sailed approximately 14,000 kilometers from Jinhae Naval Base, making logistics stops in Guam and Hawaii. Two Royal Canadian Navy submariners embarked from Hawaii to observe KSS-III operations. The submarine demonstrated communications interoperability with Canada's Pacific naval command using a combined C4I system. The deployment was accompanied by high-level naval talks in Ottawa on May 22, where ROK Navy Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul met with Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee to discuss expanding combined exercises and personnel exchanges. The visit also comes as Canada evaluates the KSS-III design, proposed by Team Korea (Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries), for its Canadian Patrol Submarine Project to replace aging Victoria-class submarines.
Naval NewsSouth Korea’s First Trans-Pacific Submarine Deployment Reaches Canada
The Republic of Korea Navy's KSS-III submarine ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho arrived at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in Victoria, British Columbia, on May 23, completing the first trans-Pacific voyage by a South Korean submarine. The 3,000-ton-class submarine sailed approximately 14,000 kilometers from Jinhae Naval Base, making logistics stops in Guam and Hawaii. During the final leg, two Royal Canadian Navy submariners embarked to observe operations. The submarine demonstrated communications interoperability with Canada's Pacific naval command using a combined C4I system. The deployment was accompanied by high-level naval talks in Ottawa between ROK Navy Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul and Royal Canadian Navy Commander Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, focusing on expanding combined exercises and defense-industrial collaboration. The visit also showcases South Korea's KSS-III design, which is competing against Germany's Type 212CD for Canada's future submarine requirement under the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.
Naval NewsSouth Korea’s First Trans-Pacific Submarine Deployment Reaches Canada
The Republic of Korea Navy's KSS-III submarine ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho arrived at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in Victoria, British Columbia, on May 23, completing the first trans-Pacific voyage by a South Korean submarine. The 3,000-ton-class submarine sailed approximately 14,000 kilometers from Jinhae Naval Base, making logistics stops in Guam and Hawaii. During the deployment, the submarine demonstrated communications interoperability with the Royal Canadian Navy using a combined C4I system, marking the first time a South Korean-built submarine established such connectivity with Canada's Pacific naval command. Two Royal Canadian Navy submariners embarked from Hawaii to observe KSS-III operations. The submarine was accompanied by the frigate ROKS Daejeon. The visit coincides with high-level naval talks in Ottawa and comes as Canada evaluates the KSS-III design, proposed by Team Korea (Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries), for its Canadian Patrol Submarine Project to replace aging Victoria-class submarines.
Naval NewsSouth Korea’s First Trans-Pacific Submarine Deployment Reaches Canada
The Republic of Korea Navy's KSS-III submarine ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho arrived at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in Victoria, British Columbia, on May 23, completing the first trans-Pacific voyage by a South Korean submarine. The 3,000-ton-class submarine sailed approximately 14,000 kilometers from Jinhae Naval Base, with logistics stops in Guam and Hawaii. During the final leg, two Royal Canadian Navy submariners embarked to observe operations. The submarine also demonstrated communications interoperability with Canada's Pacific naval command using a combined C4I system. The deployment was accompanied by high-level naval talks in Ottawa between ROK Navy Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul and Royal Canadian Navy Commander Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, focusing on expanding combined exercises and defense-industrial collaboration. The visit coincides with Canada's Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, where South Korea's KSS-III design is competing against Germany's Type 212CD. Hanwha Ocean has signed partnerships with Canadian shipbuilding and academic institutions to support its bid.
Naval NewsSouth Korea’s First Trans-Pacific Submarine Deployment Reaches Canada
The Republic of Korea Navy's KSS-III submarine ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho arrived at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in Victoria, British Columbia, on May 23, completing the first trans-Pacific voyage by a South Korean submarine. The 3,000-ton-class submarine sailed approximately 14,000 kilometers from Jinhae Naval Base, with logistics stops in Guam and Hawaii. During the deployment, two Royal Canadian Navy submariners embarked to observe operations, and the submarine demonstrated communications interoperability using a combined C4I system with Maritime Forces Pacific. The submarine was accompanied by the frigate ROKS Daejeon. The visit coincides with high-level naval talks in Ottawa between ROK Navy Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul and Royal Canadian Navy Commander Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, focusing on expanding combined exercises and defense-industrial collaboration. The deployment also showcases South Korea's KSS-III design, which is competing against Germany's Type 212CD for Canada's future submarine project (CPSP).
Naval NewsSouth Korea’s First Trans-Pacific Submarine Deployment Reaches Canada
The Republic of Korea Navy's KSS-III submarine ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho arrived at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in Victoria, British Columbia, on May 23, completing the first trans-Pacific voyage by a South Korean submarine. The 3,000-ton-class submarine sailed approximately 14,000 kilometers from Jinhae Naval Base, making logistics stops in Guam and Hawaii. During the deployment, the submarine demonstrated communications interoperability with the Royal Canadian Navy using a combined C4I system, marking the first time a South Korean-built submarine established such connectivity with Canada's Pacific naval command. Two Royal Canadian Navy submariners embarked from Hawaii to observe KSS-III operations. The submarine was accompanied by the frigate ROKS Daejeon. The visit coincides with high-level naval talks in Ottawa between ROK Navy Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul and Royal Canadian Navy Commander Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, discussing expanded exercises and defense-industrial collaboration. The deployment also serves as a showcase for South Korea's KSS-III design, which is competing against Germany's Type 212CD for Canada's future submarine replacement program.
Naval NewsSouth Korea’s First Trans-Pacific Submarine Deployment Reaches Canada
The Republic of Korea Navy's KSS-III submarine ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho arrived at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in Victoria, British Columbia, on May 23, completing the first trans-Pacific voyage by a South Korean submarine. The 3,000-ton-class submarine sailed approximately 14,000 kilometers from Jinhae Naval Base, making logistics stops in Guam and Hawaii. During the deployment, two Royal Canadian Navy submariners embarked to observe operations, and the submarine demonstrated communications interoperability using a combined C4I system with Maritime Forces Pacific. The submarine was accompanied by the frigate ROKS Daejeon. The visit coincides with high-level naval talks in Ottawa between ROK Navy Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul and Royal Canadian Navy Commander Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, focusing on expanding combined exercises and defense-industrial collaboration. The deployment showcases the KSS-III platform's blue-water capabilities as South Korea's Team Korea (Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries) competes against Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems for Canada's future submarine project.
Naval NewsSouth Korea showcases submarine in Victoria to win Canada's submarine bid
South Korea's Hanwha Ocean showcased its KSS-III submarine in Victoria, British Columbia, as part of its campaign to win a contract to build Canada's new submarine fleet. Two South Korean warships, the ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho submarine and ROKS Daejeon, arrived after a two-month journey. Canada has received two bids: one from Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and one from Hanwha Ocean. Hanwha has launched an advertising campaign and promised to build military vehicles in Canada if selected. TKMS's bid is backed by Germany and Norway and includes partnerships with Bombardier and Lockheed Martin Canada. Rear Adm. David Patchell expressed urgency, saying Canada needs the submarines 'yesterday.' A decision is expected in June, with delivery targeted for 2032.
: WorldSouth Korean submarine crosses Pacific ahead of Canada's $44 billion submarine contract decision
A South Korean submarine, ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho, completed the longest voyage in South Korean naval history, crossing 14,000 kilometers of the Pacific Ocean to dock at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in Victoria, British Columbia, on May 23, 2026. The transit, which began on March 25 from Jinhae Naval Base and included stops in Guam and Hawaii, was timed to coincide with Canada's evaluation of bids for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, a contract worth an estimated $44 billion to supply up to 12 new diesel-electric submarines. South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean is offering the KSS-III class submarine, competing against Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems with the Type 212CD. The voyage serves as a live demonstration of the submarine's long-range patrol capability, directly addressing Canada's requirements for operational range exceeding 7,000 nautical miles and submerged endurance of at least 21 days. Canada expects a preferred supplier decision as early as summer 2026.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense NewsSouth Korean submarine crosses Pacific ahead of Canada's major arms deal decision
A South Korean submarine, ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho, completed the first trans-Pacific crossing by a South Korean submarine, arriving at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in Victoria, Canada, on May 23. The 14,000-kilometer voyage from Jinhae Naval Base included stops in Guam and Hawaii. The deployment is timed to influence Canada's upcoming decision on the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, a $44 billion program to procure up to 12 new submarines. Hanwha Ocean, the submarine's builder, is competing with Germany's TKMS for the contract. The KSS-III class submarine features air-independent propulsion, lithium-ion batteries, and a vertical launch system, demonstrating the long-range patrol capabilities Canada requires.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense NewsSouth Korean submarine crosses Pacific to bolster bid for Canada's $44 billion submarine deal
South Korea's submarine ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho completed the first trans-Pacific crossing by a South Korean submarine, arriving at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt on May 23, 2026, after a 14,000-kilometer voyage. The deployment is strategically timed as Canada nears a decision on its Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, a $44 billion program to acquire up to 12 new submarines. Hanwha Ocean, builder of the KSS-III class submarine, is competing against Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems for the contract. The submarine's Pacific crossing demonstrates its long-range endurance and submerged capabilities, directly addressing Canada's requirements for operational range exceeding 7,000 nautical miles and submerged endurance of at least 21 days. Canada expects a preferred supplier decision as early as summer 2026.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense NewsSouth Korean submarine arrives in Canada to bolster defence ties and bid for multi-billion-dollar contract
The South Korean KSS-III submarine Dosan Ahn Chang-ho arrived at CFB Esquimalt in Victoria, British Columbia, on May 23, 2026, after a 14,000-kilometre voyage, the longest ever by a Korean submarine. The visit serves dual purposes: conducting joint exercises with the Royal Canadian Navy and marketing the vessel in Canada's multi-billion-dollar competition to acquire up to 12 new submarines. The competition has been narrowed to South Korea's Hanwha Ocean (KSS-III) and Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (Type 212CD). Canadian officials, including Rear-Admiral David Patchell, emphasized the urgent need for new submarines, noting only one of Canada's four aging Victoria-class subs is currently operational. The RCN conducted interoperability tests with the Korean submarine under simulated wartime conditions. A decision on the winning bid is expected by summer 2026.
Ottawa Citizen