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Korea Steps Up Canada Submarine Bid Ahead of Decision
Hanwha Ocean is pitching a proven submarine and broader industrial ties as Ottawa weighs a contract worth up to 60 trillion won.
Ottawa is expected to select a preferred bidder by the end of this month for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, a massive contract to replace the aging fleet with 12 new 3,000-ton diesel-electric vessels.
Seoul has elevated its bid to top-tier diplomacy, seeking to give the Hanwha Ocean-led "Team Korea" an edge over rival bidder TKMS of Germany. The Koreans have been extremely aggressive in the public domain, while "The Germans equally have been working hard but more behind the scenes."
To offset Germany's NATO advantage, Hanwha pitched an extensive industrial cooperation package worth around 4 trillion won through its "Project Beaver" initiative. The KSS-III submarine offers a proven operational track record, whereas TKMS proposes a paper design.
President Lee Jae Myung provided critical diplomatic backing during a bilateral summit with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, emphasizing Korea's readiness to contribute to Canada's defense capabilities.
While technical specifications account for roughly 20 percent of Canada's evaluation, the remaining 80 percent hinges on industrial cooperation and maintenance capabilities. Germany's shared NATO membership remains a significant political obstacle for Seoul, though experts say the contest is a dead heat.