The Republic of Korea Navy’s Dosan Ahn Changho will undertake a 14,000-kilometre trans-Pacific voyage, the longest ever conducted by a Korean submarine. The deployment is intended to demonstrate long-endurance operational capability and support a bilateral naval exercise planned for June.
During its transit, the submarine will make logistical stops in Guam and Hawaii. In Hawaii, two Royal Canadian Navy submariners will join the crew for the remainder of the journey to Canada, reflecting operational cooperation between the two navies.
Upon arrival at Esquimalt, the Royal Canadian Navy’s west coast base near Victoria, the submarine is expected to take part in joint exercises and engagement activities. The visit comes amid growing attention on Canada’s future submarine capability and is expected to attract interest from government and industry stakeholders.
The KSS-III is South Korea’s first domestically designed 3,000-ton-class submarine and represents a new generation of naval capability. The platform has previously demonstrated extended operational range during joint anti-submarine warfare exercises with the United States Navy.
“These kinds of operational deployments are critical in demonstrating not only naval capability and interoperability with NATO nations, but also the strength of Korea’s defence industry and its growing cooperation with partners such as Canada,” said Lee Yong-cheol, Minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
The departure ceremony in Jinhae was attended by senior Korean officials and international representatives, including Canadian and British ambassadors. A symbolic seawater exchange ceremony was also conducted to represent the partnership between the two countries.
Hanwha Ocean said the deployment provides an opportunity to demonstrate the submarine’s operational performance and relevance to Canada’s future defence needs. The company aims to highlight its capabilities in supporting submarine development and sustainment through local industrial participation.
“This deployment provides a tangible demonstration of the submarine’s endurance and proven operational capability, and its ability to meet Canada’s underwater defence and security needs at the speed of delivery required,” said Glenn Copeland, Chief Executive Officer of Hanwha Canada. “We look forward to engaging with Canadian stakeholders and demonstrating how Hanwha Ocean can support sovereign defence and sustainment capabilities in Canada through localization, transfer of technology, workforce development, and skills transfer.”
