South Korean submarine arrives in Canada for joint naval drills

A South Korean Navy submarine has arrived at a Canadian port to take part in joint exercises with the Royal Canadian Navy, as Seoul intensifies its bid for a major submarine contract valued at approximately 60 trillion won (US$39.6 billion).

The 3,000-ton ROKS Dosan Ahn Chang-ho entered the naval base at Esquimalt in Victoria, on Canada’s southwest coast, on May 23 after a roughly 14,000-kilometer journey via Guam and Hawaii, Caliber.Az reports, citing Korean media.

According to the South Korean Navy, this marks the first trans-Pacific deployment ever completed by a South Korean submarine.

The vessel departed from Jinhae, a southeastern South Korean naval port, on March 25. It was accompanied during parts of the voyage by a 3,100-ton frigate, the Daejeon. Two Canadian submariners also joined the South Korean crew in Hawaii for the final leg of the journey to Victoria.

The Navy described the mission as a demonstration of the endurance and long-range operational capability of domestically built submarines, citing onboard living conditions and system reliability as key strengths.

“It highlights the submarine's operational capabilities, backed by high-quality onboard living conditions and the reliability of its systems and equipment,” the Navy said.

The deployment comes as a South Korean industry consortium—comprising Hanwha Ocean Co. and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co.—competes against Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, in partnership with Norway, for Canada’s planned procurement of up to 12 conventional submarines. A final decision on the contract is expected in June.

Earlier this month, South Korean Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan held talks in Ottawa with Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson, focusing on the submarine program and seeking support for Seoul’s bid. He had also visited Canada earlier in the year, in January and March, in connection with the project.

South Korea’s Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul and Lee Yong-cheol, head of the national defence procurement agency, are expected to attend a welcome ceremony hosted by the Royal Canadian Navy.

Ahead of the arrival, Adm. Kim also met in Ottawa with Vice Adm. Angus Topshee, head of the Royal Canadian Navy and incoming second-in-command of the Canadian Armed Forces. During the discussions, he emphasised the performance of South Korean-built submarines and stated that Seoul would provide full backing should Canada choose its bid.

Following the joint exercises in Canada, the vessels are scheduled to participate in the U.S.-led Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises in Hawaii later in June before returning to South Korea.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov