BlackBerry and L3Harris join Hanwha Ocean’s KSS-III Canadian Patrol Submarine Team

Hanwha Ocean of South Korea, signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Canadian partners BlackBerry and L3Harris for long-term cooperation on the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.

  • The MOU with BlackBerry (Waterloo, Ontario) is related to their secure communications product portfolio and embedded software solutions.
  • The MOU with L3Harris (Ottawa, Ontario) is related to their integrated platform management system, integrated communications system, steering diving & control system, and other L3Harris maritime capabilities.

The KSS-III Canadian Patrol Submarine (KSS-III CPS) is proven, in-service, in-production, has the fastest delivery and meets all the Royal Canadian Navy’s operational requirements for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.

Hanwha Ocean can deliver the first KSS-III CPS in just six years, followed by additional units at a pace of one per year. Assuming a contract award in 2026, the first four submarines can be delivered by 2035 (the first delivered in 2032) to fully replace Canada’s current Victoria Class submarine fleet. Earlier retirement of this fleet will result in estimated savings of approximately $900 Million. The additional 8 submarines will be delivered at a rate of one per year, meaning the entire fleet of 12 can be delivered to Canada by 2043.

In 2024 and 2023, Hanwha Ocean signed a Teaming Agreement and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with CAE, Gastops and Curtiss-Wright Indal Technologies, Modest Tree, Des Nedhe Group and J Squared Technologies for long-term cooperation on the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.

  • The Teaming Agreement with CAE (Montreal, Quebec) is related to integrated training solutions and critical operations support solutions.
  • The MOU with Gastops (Ottawa, Ontario) is related to propulsion systems machinery control, modelling and simulation.
  • The MOU with Curtis-Wright Indal Technologies (Mississauga, Ontario) is related to towed array handling and winch system.
  • The MOU with Modest Tree (Halifax, Nova Scotia) related to immersive training and digital in-service support solutions.
  • The MOU with Des Nedhe Group (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) related to economic sustainability.
  • The MOU with J Squared Technologies (Ottawa, Ontario) related to critical capabilities for sea platforms.
Executives from Hanwha and L3Harris

“We see significant opportunities for synergies between Hanwha Ocean and these Canadian partners – BlackBerry and L3Harris. With the signing of these MOUs, Hanwha can begin developing strategic relationships with these partners, which will also enhance and strengthen the relationship between Canada and South Korea.”

  • Michael Coulter, President & CEO, Hanwha Global Defence

“We are proud to partner with Hanwha Ocean in fostering advanced, secure solutions that address critical defense needs for the Royal Canadian Navy. This collaboration underscores BlackBerry’s commitment to enabling sovereign and resilient technologies. Together, we aim to drive innovation and deliver strategic value to today’s evolving security landscape.”

  • John Dimitropoulos, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, BlackBerry

“The Hanwa industry team is focused on collaboration to deliver the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project capability the nation needs. L3Harris has a strong footprint in Canada and a longstanding relationship with the Royal Canadian Navy, which position us to bring significant value to the Hanwha team and to Canada.”

  • Rich Foster, Chief Executive and Vice President, L3Harris Canada

About the KSS-III Canadian Patrol Submarine (www.KSS-III.ca)

The KSS-III Canadian Patrol Submarine (KSS-III CPS) is South Korea’s latest evolution in conventional submarine technology—indigenously designed and constructed through decades of spiral development of a modern, conventional, ocean-going submarine. Over the last four decades, Hanwha Ocean has continued to evolve a proven MOTS submarine design culminating with the latest batch of the KSS submarine fleet.

Equipped with Lithium-ion batteries and an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, the KSS-III CPS offers the longest submerged endurance among conventional submarines in service. The platform is fully optimized for Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Minelaying, and Special Operations Forces (SOF) support.

KSS-III is not an export-only model—it is the same class of submarine actively operated by the Republic of Korea Navy in real-world conditions. This ensures Canada will benefit from a proven platform, backed by an established supply chain and validated operational and maintenance data throughout the 30+ years of in-service support (ISS).

The KSS-III is the backbone of the ROK Navy submarine force. Acquisition of the KSS-III would allow Canada to be a member of the international KSS-III User Group which consists of a growing number of nations.