Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back of South Korea had a phone call with Canadian Defence Minister David McGuinty, emphasizing the commitment to enhancing bilateral defence relations. They discussed strengthening cooperation in various areas, including the submarine project and broader industrial collaboration. Both ministers highlighted the recent joint naval exercise that improved interoperability and emphasized their mutual dedication to peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
South Korea’s Defence Minister also commended the historic port visit of the South Korean submarine ROKS Dosan Ahn Chang-ho to Esquimalt in Victoria, marking the first trans-Pacific voyage by a South Korean submarine. The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) is a significant procurement initiative for up to 12 diesel-electric submarines, valued at around 60 trillion won (US$39.7 billion), encompassing construction, maintenance, and repair.
In the submarine project bid, a consortium consisting of Hanwha Ocean Co. and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. from South Korea is in contention with Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). South Korea has proposed a hydrogen-powered truck project as part of its bid to secure the Canadian submarine contract, aiming to enhance its offer compared to Germany. The proposal includes a substantial investment in Canada to establish a hydrogen-powered trucking industry and generate approximately 9,000 jobs through “Project Beaver” if the Korean consortium wins the contract.
