Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), recently toured Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to explore their construction facilities as part of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).
Hanwha Ocean showcased their submarine construction capabilities to VAdm Topshee, highlighting the features of the KSS-III Batch-II submarine, which serves as the foundation for the KSS-III CPS under the CPSP. The KSS-III CPS is the only model capable of meeting all High-Level Mandatory Requirements of the Canadian Navy.
Hanwha Ocean has submitted Canada’s Request for Information (RFI) for the CPSP and shared plans of working with Canadian industry partners to support In-Service Support (ISS) capabilities through technology transfer initiatives within Canada.
On September 15th 2024, Canada officially released an RFI to industry for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. Respondents were encouraged to provide their initial feedback by November 18, 2024.
“During his visit to the Hanwha Ocean Geoje shipyard, VAdm Topshee had the opportunity to see the current production line of the KSS-III submarine. In addition to obtaining significantly enhanced capability of the submarine much sooner, Hanwha Ocean’s capacity to deliver the KSS-III well in advance of the replacement of Victoria Class Submarines would lead to significant cost-savings for Canada compared to continuing to support this aging fleet.
“The CPSP project is not only about delivering a submarine built in Korea to Canada; it represents a milestone for long-lasting partnership that will promote economic, industrial, and defence cooperation between two nations.”
Charlie SC Eoh, President and Chief Operating Officer of Hanwha Ocean
READ: Latest Feature Interview with Vice-Admiral ANGUS TOPSHEE
VAdm Topshee also visited HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ submarine construction facilities to check the primary submarine of the Republic of Korea Navy. HD HHI shared its vision for the CPSP Project, and highlighted collaboration opportunities between Canada and South Korea in research, development, and workforce training.
“HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has the capabilities to be a crucial partner not only for Canada’s submarine acquisition project but also for the Navy’s overall operational capacity,” adding, “Defense projects are directly tied to the national interest, so we will work closely with the government and industry to secure overseas defense projects.”
Mr. Sang-kyun Lee, CEO of HD HHI
“I was deeply impressed by Hyundai Heavy Industries’ technology and productivity, demonstrated not only in submarine construction and maintenance but also in successfully completing various naval projects, including Aegis destroyers, frigates, and patrol ships. In particular, their ability to deliver multiple projects on time, even when managing several simultaneously, was remarkable.”
Vice Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy
3 thoughts on “RCN Commander Topshee visits submarine builders for CPSP”
The KSS-III, especially the Batch II, is the most capable non-nuclear submarine in the world. This would be a huge leap in capability for Canada without all the headaches and extreme costs of nuclear.
I am encouraged to see that Admiral Topshee is involved in finding a builder for the RCN’s new submarines. I am disappointed that we must look for a foreign builder and that they will be conventional and not Nuclear
The right boats for our time.
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