KSS-IIISeoul has proposed to Ottawa a plan to rearm the country's army and navy worth more than 20 billion Canadian dollars [$14.6 billion] amid its strained relations with Washington.
- it is said in the edition of CBC News.
A corresponding comprehensive proposal to the Canadian Government was made in March. Hanwha Ocean and Hyundai Heavy Industries have promised to transfer the first 4 KSS-III class submarines to the fleet by 2035 and build maintenance facilities. This program will cost between $14.6 billion and $17.5 billion.
Hanwha Aerospace has offered supplies worth $730 million for the needs of the army: self-propelled guns and MLRS similar to the American HIMARS, as well as a large package of armored vehicles to fill gaps in tracked armored vehicles. At the same time, Korean Aerospace Industries expressed interest in selling FA-50 aircraft.
- it is noted in the edition.
According to the author, this is an unprecedented diplomatic and commercial attempt to squeeze traditional suppliers out of the United States and Europe. However, as he explains, South Korean figures are very skeptical that Canada seriously intends to get rid of dependence on the American military-industrial complex.
- explained in the Ministry of Defense of the country.
Self-propelled guns K9 and TZM K10Now, South Korea expects to become the fourth largest arms manufacturer in the world by 2027. Against this background, Seoul promises to cover all the needs of Canada, which, as indicated, is experiencing difficulties in supplying materiel to its expeditionary units in Latvia, including modern anti-tank weapons, air defense systems and anti-UAVS.
- said Lieutenant General Mike Wright, when asked if he was satisfied with the equipment of the troops participating in the NATO mission in Latvia.
- said Dave Perry, president of the Canadian Institute of Global Affairs.
He supports military-technical cooperation with South Korea for "supplying a huge amount of equipment in a very short time," which showed cooperation with Poland.
- it was noted in the American press in this regard.
As indicated, the coming months will be crucial in terms of a possible military-technical rapprochement between Seoul and Ottawa. They will show whether Canada is ready to dramatically diversify supplies and move to cooperation with a completely new partner for it.
