A South Korean KSS-III submarine arrived at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in Victoria on Saturday, May 23, 2026, to conduct joint anti-submarine exercises with the Royal Canadian Navy.
The vessel, ROKS Dosan Ahn Chang-ho, completed a 14,000-kilometer trans-Pacific voyage from Jinhae Naval Base to demonstrate its long-endurance capabilities.
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Ottawa is evaluating competing bids from South Korea's Hanwha Ocean and Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems to build up to 12 new diesel-electric submarines over the next 15 years.
Urgent Need for New Fleet
Rear Admiral David Patchell, commander of Maritime Forces Pacific and Joint Task Force Pacific, emphasized the urgent operational need for the new fleet.
Only one of Canada's four existing Victoria-class submarines is currently operational.
"I need them yesterday," said Patchell.
The naval commander outlined how the procurement would fundamentally transform the global defense standing of the domestic maritime forces.
"We have operated submarines for over 100 years, but we have never truly been a submarine nation.
But with 12 modern submarines, Canada will be a submarine nation," said Patchell.
He further noted the geopolitical signal the procurement sends to international partners regarding Canada's defense commitments.
"It's a message to our allies that we're taking defense seriously," added Patchell.
The commander acknowledged the personnel demands of expanding the fleet, noting that the current pool of 200 submariners must grow to 1,000 personnel.
"Is it a challenge? Absolutely, but it's also an opportunity," said Patchell.
He pointed to current recruitment metrics showing positive trends within the specialized naval training initiatives.
"We're seeing incredible uptick in recruiting. In our naval experience program, one third of them are selecting submarines," he said.
Industry and Diplomatic Perspectives
Glenn Copeland, chief executive officer of Ottawa-based Hanwha Defence Canada, welcomed the operational timing of the vessel's arrival during the final stages of the procurement review.
"We've been at this for a while. We wanted the sub to come over here," said Copeland.
The corporate executive expressed satisfaction with the promotional and strategic alignment of the joint military exercises.
"We're going to take advantage of the timing, the fact that the submarine is here, and we're quite happy to get that promoted," he said.
He also highlighted the strategic alignment of the arrival with ongoing evaluation timelines.
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"It works well," he said.
Copeland stated that Hanwha could deliver the first four KSS-III submarines by 2035 if the contract is finalized in 2026, with the full fleet completed by 2043.
"(The first) will be here in 2032," he said.
He asserted that the timeline proposed by the South Korean shipbuilder remains unmatched by international competitors.
"No one can match that," he said.
Royal Canadian Navy Lieutenant-Commander Britany Bourgeois and Petty Officer 2nd Class Jake Dixon embedded with the South Korean crew in Hawaii to observe operations during the transit.
"Being on a newer submarine really opened our eyes to the possibilities of what we have in store.
What really hits home is that Canada needs new submarines," said Bourgeois.
Petty Officer Dixon drew a stark technical contrast between the modern South Korean platform and the aging infrastructure currently deployed by Canada.
"It's kind of like buying a brand-new Tesla and then you're coming out of a '99 Honda Civic," added Dixon.
Captain Lee Byung-il, commanding officer of the ROKS Dosan Ahn Chang-ho, confirmed the successful verification of secure communications interoperability with the Canadian Pacific Fleet under simulated wartime conditions on May 18.
"This successful communications exchange will demonstrate the capability of our navy to expand its operational reach into multinational combined operations, including with NATO allies like Canada," noted Lee.
Lim Ki-mo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Canada, framed the defense procurement within the broader context of bilateral security ties and historical cooperation dating back to the Korean War.
"Canada has been looking for different friends and allies, other 'middle-powers,' to diversify investment, trade and defense capabilities," the ambassador said.
He emphasized South Korea's proactive stance in deepening economic and strategic defense integration with Canada.
"South Korea has opened its arms to Canada and is taking every step possible to enhance and expand a relationship that started 75 years ago, when Canada sent more than 26,000 troops to help defend our nation," he said.
Prime Minister Mark Carney previously validated the technical competence of both finalist submissions during an assessment of the program requirements in September 2025.
"Both of them fulfill the requirements, the very high requirements, for the Canadian Navy," said Carney.
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The federal government extended the original March 2 bidding deadline to allow competitors to refine their economic and industrial benefit packages, with a final contract decision expected by late June.
