Hanwha Ocean has signed five industrial teaming agreements along with three memoranda of understanding with Canadian companies and universities to support development of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).
Introduced in 2021, the program aims to replace the Victoria-class submarine fleet currently operated by the Royal Canadian Navy. These submarines, commissioned in the 1990s, are expected to retire in the 2030s, with as many as 12 new submarines planned to enter service starting in 2035.
The new agreements are intended to enhance technological innovation, strengthen manufacturing capacity, and support workforce development while complying with Canada’s “Buy Canadian” policy and Industrial and Technological Benefits obligations.
Each partnership connects Hanwha Ocean with a Canadian company and a South Korean or international technology partner to create a collaborative industrial framework.
Key Partnerships
Under the agreements, GeoSpectrum Technologies and Ultra Maritime, both located in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, will cooperate with LIG Nex1 on underwater acoustic sonar and undersea warfare technologies.
In another collaboration, Aspin Kemp & Associates and J-Squared Technologies will partner with KTE to develop power distribution networks, electrical and control systems, embedded computing solutions, and integrated platform management systems.
The initiative also includes cooperation between Safran Trusted 4D Canada and Safran Electronics & Defense to support submarine and naval programs with technologies such as optronics, inertial navigation, radar, and advanced defense electronics.
Hanwha Ocean has also partnered with leading Canadian academic institutions—including the University of Toronto, University of New Brunswick, and Dalhousie University—to conduct research in areas such as AI-driven naval systems, simulation platforms, underwater acoustics, Arctic-operating vessels, and automated technologies aimed at reducing crew requirements.
Strengthening the Industrial Base
Glenn Copeland stated that combining Canada’s advanced technological capabilities with South Korea’s proven submarine construction expertise will help the CPSP partnership deliver next-generation capabilities for Canada’s future submarine fleet and broader national defense priorities. 🚢
