Five industry Teaming Agreements and three university Memoranda of Understanding were concluded as part of the initiative. The arrangements connect Canadian manufacturers, defence technology companies and research institutions with Hanwha Ocean and its international technology partners.
According to the company, the partnerships aim to integrate Canadian organisations into a global submarine supply chain. The agreements also support Canada’s “Buy Canadian” policy and Industrial and Technological Benefits objectives.
Each Teaming Agreement establishes a tri-party collaboration involving Hanwha Ocean, a Canadian company and a South Korean or international defence technology partner. These partnerships focus on key submarine capability areas, including sensors, electronics, propulsion systems and integrated platform management technologies.
The agreements include a partnership between GeoSpectrum Technologies Inc. and Ultra Maritime, both based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, working with Hanwha Ocean and South Korean firm LIG Nex1 on underwater acoustic SONAR and undersea warfare systems. Other agreements involve Aspin Kemp & Associates, also known as AKA Energy Systems, and J-Squared Technologies partnering with Korean company KTE on power distribution, control systems and embedded computing technologies.
Safran Trusted 4D Canada has also joined the programme through a partnership with Hanwha Ocean and Safran Electronics & Defense of France. This collaboration will combine Canadian systems integration expertise with advanced optronics, inertial navigation systems, radar and defence electronics technologies.
Alongside the industry agreements, Hanwha Ocean signed academic MOUs with the University of Toronto, the University of New Brunswick and Dalhousie University. The research partnerships will focus on areas such as artificial intelligence-enabled naval systems, underwater acoustics, simulation technologies and Arctic-capable vessel development.
The universities will also support workforce development through research collaboration and student engagement in advanced maritime technologies. Hanwha Ocean said these partnerships aim to strengthen Canada’s defence innovation ecosystem and build skilled talent for future naval programmes.
Glenn Copeland, Chief Executive Officer of Hanwha Defence Canada, said the agreements are designed to support long-term industrial cooperation. “CPSP represents an opportunity to build long-term industrial partnerships that deliver real value for Canada.”
He added that the initiative combines Canadian technology with South Korea’s submarine manufacturing experience. “By combining Canada’s advanced technologies with Korea’s proven submarine manufacturing expertise, we believe we can deliver a solution aligned with Canada’s national interests.”
Paul Yeatman, President of GeoSpectrum Technologies Inc., said the partnerships highlight the role Canadian companies can play in international defence programmes. “These agreements demonstrate how Canadian undersea and marine technology companies can contribute meaningfully to a global submarine program.”
Yeatman also noted the importance of the initiative for regional industry. “For Atlantic Canada, this represents an opportunity to further strengthen our expertise in underwater acoustics and position regional innovation at the centre of advanced naval capability.”
Jason Aspin, Chief Executive Officer of AKA Energy Systems, said the collaboration will bring Canadian engineering expertise into a major naval project. “Through this collaboration with Hanwha Ocean, AKA Energy Systems is bringing Canadian power integration and control system expertise into an international naval program.”
He added that the agreement could create new engineering opportunities in Prince Edward Island. “This agreement will create opportunities for high-value engineering work in Prince Edward Island while supporting the development of more efficient and resilient maritime platforms.”
Academic leaders also highlighted the importance of the research partnerships. Dr. Paul J. Mazerolle, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of New Brunswick, said the collaboration will support applied research and education.
“As a Canadian leader in marine research and education, the University of New Brunswick is proud to partner with Hanwha on this important collaboration,” Mazerolle said. “This agreement creates meaningful opportunities for applied research and hands-on student engagement in advanced marine and defence technologies.”
Illan Kramer, Director of International Research Partnerships at the University of Toronto, said the initiative connects academic research with real-world engineering projects. “Partnering with Hanwha Ocean allows us to connect leading-edge research in areas such as artificial intelligence and advanced systems engineering with real-world maritime applications.”
He added that the cooperation would strengthen Canada’s innovation capacity. “These collaborations strengthen Canada’s innovation ecosystem, elevate our sovereign capabilities and prepare our students to contribute to complex global engineering programs.”
Dalhousie University’s Vice-President for Research and Innovation, Dr. Graham Gagnon, said the partnership will help advance research in maritime and Arctic technologies. “Dalhousie University is proud to partner with Hanwha Ocean through this Memorandum of Understanding and to support the research and talent capacity at our university committed to advancing Canada’s leadership in ocean science, marine engineering, and Arctic research.”
Gagnon added that the cooperation will create new opportunities for researchers and students. “As a university deeply connected to our province and region’s maritime and defence communities, we see this collaboration as an opportunity to open pathways for our researchers and students to make important contributions to an initiative with the potential to enhance Canadian sovereignty, while accelerating innovation in AI-enabled naval systems, autonomous technologies, and Arctic-capable vessel design.”
Industry partners also highlighted the broader impact on Canada’s defence technology sector. Andrew Woollard, President of J-Squared Technologies Inc., said the agreement reflects the value of collaboration in complex engineering programmes.
“J-Squared Technologies’ partnership with Hanwha Ocean is a testament to decades of leadership in high-performing embedded computing and mission-critical systems integration and the power of strategic collaboration,” Woollard said. “We’re proud of contributions to the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project that are helping to advance Canada’s naval defence-industrial base and technological future.”
Louis Girardin, Chief Executive Officer of Safran Electronics & Defence Canada, said the partnership strengthens Canada’s role in global defence programmes. “Safran Trusted 4D Canada welcomes this collaboration with Hanwha Ocean as an important step in strengthening Canada’s contribution to advanced naval capabilities.”
He added that the agreement supports next-generation submarine technologies. “Through this Teaming Agreement, we are leveraging our expertise in trusted navigation and mission-critical systems to support next-generation submarine programs while expanding Canada’s role in the global defence supply chain.”
Peter Currie, Vice President of Finance at Ultra Maritime, emphasised the company’s experience supporting Canada’s submarine fleet. “Ultra Maritime is proud to bring advanced sovereign capabilities to the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.”
He noted that the company’s background with the Royal Canadian Navy positions it well for the programme. “With decades of proven success supporting the Royal Canadian Navy’s Victoria-class submarines, Ultra Maritime brings unmatched experience and expertise in undersea warfare, as well as an established Canadian industrial footprint.”
Hanwha Ocean said it intends to continue expanding partnerships with Canadian industry and research institutions as its CPSP proposal develops. The company described the initiative as part of a long-term commitment to strengthening Canada’s defence ecosystem, innovation capacity and skilled workforce.
