South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean has entered into five industry teaming agreements and three memoranda of understanding with Canadian companies and academic institutions to support the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).
The CPSP was launched in 2021 to replace the aging Victoria-class submarine fleet of the Royal Canadian Navy. The submarines, commissioned in the 1990s, are expected to retire in the 2030s and be replaced by up to 12 new submarines beginning in 2035.
These agreements aim to strengthen innovation, manufacturing capabilities, and workforce development while aligning with the Canadian government’s “Buy Canadian” policy and Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) requirements.
Each teaming arrangement establishes a three-way partnership involving Hanwha Ocean, a Canadian firm, and a South Korean or international technology partner.
Partner Organizations
Among the collaborations, GeoSpectrum Technologies and Ultra Maritime—both based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia—will work alongside South Korea’s LIG Nex1 to develop underwater acoustic sonar and undersea warfare technologies.
Meanwhile, Aspin Kemp & Associates of Prince Edward Island and J-Squared Technologies from Kanata, Ontario, will collaborate with Seoul-based KTE on power distribution systems, electrical and control systems, embedded computing, and integrated platform management technologies.
The framework also includes cooperation between Safran Trusted 4D Canada in Montreal and Safran Electronics & Defense to develop optronics, inertial navigation systems, radar, and other defense electronics for submarine and naval programs.
For research activities, Hanwha Ocean has partnered with the University of Toronto, University of New Brunswick, and Dalhousie University. Their research will cover areas such as AI-enabled naval technologies, advanced simulation systems, underwater acoustics, Arctic-capable vessel design, and automation to reduce submarine crew requirements.
Building a Future-Ready Ecosystem
According to Glenn Copeland, combining Canada’s advanced technologies with South Korea’s submarine manufacturing expertise allows the CPSP consortium to deliver capabilities that will support Canada’s future submarine fleet and broader national security interests.
