South Korea promotes KSS-III submarine as Canadian Prime Minister visits Hanwha Ocean shipyard.

During an official visit to South Korea, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney toured Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard and inspected the KSS-III Batch-II submarine. The visit underscores South Korea’s bid to supply advanced diesel-electric submarines for Canada’s next-generation fleet program.

Gyeongju, South Korea, November 2, 2025 - Canada’s submarine ambitions took center stage in South Korea this week as Prime Minister Mark Carney visited the Hanwha Ocean shipyard in Geoje on October 30, following his bilateral meeting with President Lee Jae Myung at the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation)summit. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Carney received a detailed briefing on the KSS-III Batch-II submarine, the Republic of Korea Navy’s most advanced undersea platform. The visit, highly symbolic and closely watched by defense analysts, comes as Ottawa’s Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) has selected two finalists: South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean and Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney inspects South Korea’s KSS-III Batch-II submarine during a visit to Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard on October 30, 2025, as part of Canada’s evaluation of potential submarine suppliers under the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. (Picture source: Canadian Press)

Canada’s future submarine acquisition is shaping up to be one of the most technically ambitious conventional undersea warfare programs in the Western Hemisphere. Under the CPSP (Canadian Patrol Submarine Project) framework, the Department of National Defence plans to acquire between four and twelve conventionally powered submarines capable of sustained under-ice operations, long-endurance missions, and integration with NATO and Five Eyes maritime forces. While Ottawa has not officially disclosed the estimated program cost, multiple defense industry analysts place the total life-cycle value at approximately CAD 60 billion. This includes construction, training infrastructure, domestic industry participation, and long-term maintenance. The current procurement timeline anticipates a final downselect between 2026 and 2028, with the contract award and initial acquisition steps expected to follow shortly thereafter, as the Royal Canadian Navy prepares to retire its four aging Victoria-class submarines and replace them with a globally deployable undersea force.

During the shipyard tour, Prime Minister Carney was introduced to the KSS-III Batch-II’s full suite of systems. The platform displaces approximately 3,600 tonnes surfaced and over 4,000 tonnes submerged, with a hull length of 89 meters. Its hybrid propulsion system combines a Stirling-based Air-Independent Propulsion module with high-capacity lithium-ion batteries, enabling extended submerged endurance and higher speeds in silent operation. Unlike traditional diesel-electric submarines, the KSS-III Batch-II can remain submerged for more than 20 days without surfacing, depending on its tactical profile.

A defining feature of Batch-II is its strategic strike capability. The submarine is equipped with a 10-cell vertical launch system capable of deploying domestically developed land-attack cruise missiles such as the Hyunmoo-4-4. This VLS architecture grants the KSS-III a rare offensive reach among non-nuclear submarines. In addition, the vessel features six 533mm torpedo tubes, flank and towed sonar arrays, a non-penetrating optronic mast, and a fully digitized combat management system developed by Hanwha Systems in partnership with LIG Nex1. The system supports multi-target engagement, rapid fire-control processing, and cross-domain sensor fusion.

Germany’s counteroffer is the Type 212CD, a next-generation submarine developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems in cooperation with Norway. With a submerged displacement of approximately 2,500 tonnes, the 212CD is a significantly smaller and stealth-optimized vessel, purpose-built for Arctic operations and covert surveillance. Its propulsion relies on an advanced hydrogen fuel-cell AIP system, enabling weeks of submerged endurance with minimal acoustic or thermal signature. The 212CD’s hull is coated with radar-absorbent material and incorporates a double-hull structure to minimize detection across sonar bands.

Although the 212CD does not include a vertical launch system, it is equipped with state-of-the-art ASW, ISR, and special forces deployment capabilities. The platform also integrates a modular combat system by Atlas Elektronik, providing extensive interoperability with NATO’s digital maritime architecture. Its reduced footprint and proven maneuverability make it well-suited for Canadian Arctic, North Atlantic, and continental shelf operations.

The technical divergence between these two contenders clearly illustrates Canada’s broader strategic calculus. The KSS-III Batch-II provides a long-range, multi-role platform, featuring strike capability, a larger payload, and growth potential for unmanned systems and advanced missiles. In contrast, the 212CD is more compact, prioritizing superior stealth and NATO-certified compatibility, and has a proven track record in Arctic scenarios. The KSS-III’s vertical launch system supports powerful cruise missiles, whereas the 212CD emphasizes reduced signature and maneuverability for covert operations. Both manufacturers propose industrial cooperation agreements, with Hanwha highlighting local co-production and technology transfer, and TKMS offering established Arctic-capable performance through European partnership. These contrasts sharpen Canada’s choice between offensive reach and stealth specialization.

Beyond platform comparisons, the urgency of the CPSP stems from the declining availability and reliability of Canada’s current Victoria-class fleet. Originally built in the United Kingdom in the 1980s, the class has faced ongoing technical issues, limited operational readiness, and costly refits. At present, no more than one or two boats are operational at any given time, severely constraining Canada’s ability to project undersea presence in the Atlantic, Pacific, or Arctic theatres.

The Carney visit marks a significant moment in diplomacy and the defense industry. It reinforces Canada’s growing focus on the Indo-Pacific and signals serious interest in Korean defense technology. For South Korea, winning the CPSP contract would not only cement Hanwha Ocean’s status as a global submarine builder but also serve as a gateway into NATO’s defense-industrial ecosystem. For Germany, a TKMS victory would reaffirm Europe’s leadership in non-nuclear submarine design and extend Berlin’s strategic partnership with Ottawa.

Key questions now define the next phase of the process. Will the larger and more heavily armed KSS-III meet Canada’s operational needs for Arctic and Pacific missions? Can the stealth-optimized 212CD deliver the persistence and versatility Canadian commanders require in the North Atlantic? How will regional shipbuilding benefits and industrial offsets influence domestic political support for the program?

This decision will define the Royal Canadian Navy’s undersea posture for decades. The submarine selected under the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project will shape Canada’s strategic deterrence in challenging maritime environments, from the Arctic to the Indo-Pacific.