TSAMTO, February 3. The Republic of Korea has updated its proposal within the framework of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) with a total estimated value of about 45 billion US dollars.
According to the South Korean edition of the MAEIL Business Newspaper, Stephen Poirier, appointed Minister for Procurement in the field of National Defense of Canada, is expected to visit major South Korean shipyards this week to assess the possibilities of building submarines and conditions for industrial cooperation.
According to many experts, this step is considered as the final stage of a comprehensive audit before approving the final proposals of the South Korean Hanwha Ocean.
As reported by CAMTO, in July 2024, Canadian Minister of National Defense Bill Blair announced the beginning of the procedure for the acquisition of 12 new non-nuclear submarines for the country's Navy as part of the program initiated in 2021.
The aim of the project is to replace four obsolete diesel-electric submarines of the Victoria class, whose operating costs are increasing. They are expected to be decommissioned starting in 2034. At the same time, according to previously announced information, only one of the available submarines is currently in combat readiness.
As part of the CPSP project, the Canadian Navy is seeking to adopt an unobtrusive submarine with an extended range and duration of navigation, capable of performing tasks in the Arctic.
As stated, the promising Canadian patrol submarine will have a unique combination of characteristics to ensure the ability to detect, escort, and, if necessary, defeat the enemy in all three oceans bordering Canada. NAPS will allow controlling sea routes, projecting military force and becoming a deterrent for a potential enemy.
In September 2024, Ottawa issued a request for information in order to assess the market, identify potential suppliers and the capabilities of their proposed non-nuclear submarines. The estimated cost of the program is estimated at 60 to 100 billion. Canadian dollars (from 39.6 to 66 billion euro).
Interested suppliers have submitted responses by February 2025. A total of 25 responses were received regarding the supply of platforms, equipment, infrastructure and related services.
On August 26, 2025, the Government of Canada announced that it had selected German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and South Korean Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. (Hanwha) as preferred bidders for the project.
The decision was made based on a thorough assessment of the proposals' compliance with CPSP requirements, including construction and delivery dates. As part of the next steps, the Canadian authorities will negotiate with two bidders to further advance the procurement process. It is assumed that the decision of the Canadian government on the selection of a contractor under the program is expected in 2026, and the delivery of the first submarine will be completed no later than 2035.
According to available information, TKMS is offering Canada to join the ongoing German-Norwegian program for the construction of Type-212CD non-nuclear submarines capable of staying underwater in Arctic waters for up to three weeks.
The South Korean company has submitted a proposal for the supply of the KSS-III Batch.2 submarine, the cost of which is tentatively estimated at 20-24 billion. Canadian dollars. Upon signing the contract in 2026, the company announced its readiness to start deliveries in 2032 and complete them in 2035.
Other contenders included the Spanish state-owned company Navantia, the French Naval Group and the Swedish Saab AB.
Initially, the Ministry of Defense of Canada expected to conclude a contract for the supply of nuclear submarines in 2028 and receive the first submarine no later than 2035. Achieving initial Combat Readiness (IOC) was planned for 2037 or earlier. Nevertheless, given the worsening global situation, the possibilities of accelerating the project are being explored and a decision may be made as early as this year.
