Hanwha pulls out the stops to court closer Canadian ties

South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Aerospace announced on 1 February 2024 that they had presented their state-of-the-art defence technologies to Dr David Perry, President of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute (CGAI), who visited Hanwha facilities from 23-24 January. The CGAI is recognised as Canada’s leading source of expertise on global affairs and Dr Perry’s visit was timely, as Hanwha is laying the groundwork for a strategic expansion into the Canadian market.

Dr Perry’s visit to South Korea encompassed an extensive tour of Hanwha Ocean’s research and development (R&D) campus and shipyard, as well as Hanwha Aerospace’s manufacturing plants. During the tour Dr Perry observed first hand the companies’ capabilities, including the KSS-III submarine, K9 155 mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) and Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher.

Hanwha claims that such platforms would contribute to the modernisation of the Canadian Army and Navy with timely, cost-effective solutions that meet Canada’s operational needs.

“Our KSS-III submarines, operating primarily in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, are the optimal choice for Canada,” Sung Kyun Jeong, Head of Hanwha Ocean’s Naval Ship International Business, was quoted as saying in a press release. “As the sole company in Korea constructing submarines equipped with the latest lithium-ion batteries and air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, Hanwha Ocean is committed to playing a vital role in strengthening the robust strategic partnership between Korea and Canada.”

“An impressive track record provides Hanwha with a favourable position for potential success in Canada, further establishing the K-9 as a Western standard self-propelled howitzer,” added John Kelly, CEO and President of Hanwha Defense USA. “As Canada seeks to grow its presence in NATO European deployments, Hanwha stands ready to provide artillery solutions, based on the K9 self-propelled howitzer, that are already in service with many NATO allies.”

South Korea and Canada announced a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ at their summit in 2022, which marked the 60th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations, with the goal of fostering security co-operation as part of Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Since then both nations have increased their defence co-operation, as seen by joint naval drills in the Korean peninsula’s West Sea and Republic of Korea Navy port calls to Halifax, Nova Scotia.