Overview
- Hanwha established Hanwha Defence Canada in Ottawa and appointed former Royal Canadian Navy officer Glenn Copeland as CEO to direct its Canadian Patrol Submarine Project campaign.
- Hanwha remains a final contender for the program based on its KSS-III design, competing against Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.
- The procurement seeks eight to 12 submarines with an estimated budget of up to 60 trillion won, with Canada targeting first delivery by no later than 2035.
- Copeland brings 22 years of RCN service and senior experience at Lockheed Martin Canada, including work on Halifax-class frigate modernization and CMS-330 exports.
- Canada is giving significant weight to local industrial benefits and support infrastructure, according to industry reporting, which has prompted bidders to expand their Canadian footprint.