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Breaking News: South Korea Makes Strategic Entry into Poland’s Submarine Procurement Race.
According to an article published by Chosun Biz on May 14, 2025, South Korea’s defense industry, historically focused on exporting land-based weapon systems such as the K9 self-propelled howitzer and the K2 main battle tank, is now turning its attention to the naval sector with renewed ambitions in the submarine market. Thirteen years after its last submarine export deal, signed with Indonesia in 2011 by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, Seoul is reviving its strategy, targeting Poland and Canada while also exploring further opportunities in the Middle East and Latin America. This diversification comes amid a global trend of nations seeking to strengthen their naval capabilities, prompting South Korea to expand its defense export portfolio to include submarine platforms that had previously played a marginal role.
It is this same KSS-III model that Seoul has offered to Canada as part of a proposal valued between $20 and $24 billion, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) (Picture source: Hanwha Ocean)
According to multiple sources from the military and defense sectors, Poland is expected to announce its selected preferred bidder in the coming weeks for the Orca program, which entails the procurement of three submarines with a displacement of 3,000 tons. The project also includes maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, with an estimated total value of around 8 trillion won. Two South Korean shipbuilders, Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, have joined forces to submit a joint proposal. Hanwha Ocean, which has been collaborating with Polish defense companies since last year, proposed a model exceeding 3,000 tons, while HD Hyundai Heavy Industries presented a 2,300-ton variant. Both companies also submitted investment plans for Poland, including the establishment of local MRO facilities to anchor their presence within the country. The South Korean government has actively supported the initiative through official visits, emphasizing advantages such as rapid delivery timelines and competitive pricing.
Both shipbuilders have the industrial capacity to construct 3,000-ton submarines and, if selected, could split production between two facilities to accelerate delivery. The design proposed by Hanwha Ocean is based on the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho-class submarine, currently in service with the Republic of Korea Navy. Known as the KSS-III, the vessel has a submerged displacement of approximately 3,700 tons and is equipped with fuel-cell-based air-independent propulsion (AIP), allowing it to remain submerged for about 20 days. It features vertical launch systems for cruise missiles, advanced sonar suites, and integrated combat management systems, all designed to reduce acoustic signatures and align with high international standards for non-nuclear submarines.
It is this same KSS-III model that Seoul has offered to Canada as part of a proposal valued between $20 and $24 billion, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). The offer comes amid growing political tensions between Ottawa and Washington, including Canada's reconsideration of several defense agreements with the United States, most notably its planned acquisition of F-35 stealth fighters. In March 2025, Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair confirmed that the government is now actively exploring alternatives to the F-35, creating an opening for strategic suppliers such as South Korea.
South Korea’s offer is part of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), officially launched in July 2024. The CPSP calls for the procurement of up to 12 conventionally powered submarines capable of under-ice operations. Canada’s current submarine fleet, consisting of aging Victoria-class boats, needs replacement. Ottawa aims to enhance its presence in the Arctic and maintain operational reach across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic oceans. Canadian requirements emphasize stealth, lethality, endurance, and polar deployment capability. The KSS-III appears well suited to meet these operational needs.
Beyond technical capabilities, the South Korean proposal includes commitments to early deliveries, offering the first four submarines by 2035, ahead of Canada’s current procurement schedule, as well as provisions for technology transfers, local co-production, and personnel training. These components are designed to align with Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy, which mandates domestic economic returns from major defense procurements.
Strategically, Seoul is also seeking to build on shared priorities with Ottawa, including Arctic security, Indo-Pacific stability, and the promotion of a rules-based international order. The offer thus goes beyond a transactional equipment sale, positioning South Korea as a long-term defense partner for a G7 nation with converging geopolitical outlooks.
Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, with the support of South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration, aim to position themselves as a credible alternative to traditional Western suppliers. Facing competition from Germany, France, Sweden, and the United States, the South Korean offer distinguishes itself through its proposed industrial integration, cost-efficiency, and long-term strategic dimension. It reflects a broader rise in South Korea’s defense sector, which has already achieved export successes with the K9 howitzer, the K2 tank, and the FA-50 fighter aircraft.
In summary, South Korea, building on its recent industrial advancements in both land and naval systems, is now seeking to establish itself as a significant player in the global submarine market. By combining technological capability, industrial strategy, and defense diplomacy, Seoul is aiming to persuade partners such as Poland, Canada, and others to consider a new supplier from Asia—one that offers integrated solutions in line with evolving military and geopolitical priorities.