South Korea challenges US with $24 billion submarine proposal to Canada

[Adele Buckley]

South Korea challenges US with $24 billion submarine proposal to Canada

https://www.the-express.com/news/world-news/170929/south-korea-canada-submarine-proposal

This marks a way for the two nations to strengthen their bilateral ties and to fill the gaps that may potentially be created by the U.S. no longer being a trusted ally.

By Debadrita Sur  Tue, May 6, 2025 |

South Korea has offered to deliver KSS-III submarine to Canada in challenge to the U.S. (Image: Wikimedia)

In what appears to be a challenge to the United States, South Korea has offered a competitive proposal to Canada to supply advanced KS-III submarines.

Seoul has presented a $20-$24 billion deal to Canada, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported Monday.

This comes amid Canada and U.S. grappling with strained relations as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss relations between the two nations. 

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The duo has previously sparred over Trump repeatedly floating the idea of Canada becoming the 51st American state as well as imposing sweeping tariffs that prompted Ottawa to realiate.

Canadians have an anti-American sentiment in the wake of Trump's comments and there is a growing pish to pivot Canada away from relying on traditional American and European suppliers for their defense industry.

The KS-III submarines are developed by Hanwha Ocean and Hyundai Heavy Industries.

Seoul has promised the first four submarines by 2035, which is before Canada's current procurement schedule to replace the old Victoria-class fleet under the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, which aims to help the nation deter maritime threats.

In 2024, the Canadian Defense Ministry announced that it would be procuring 12 conventionally powered, under-ice capable submarines to strengthen its defense strategy, titled 'Our North, Strong and Free.'

This marks a way for the two nations to strengthen their bilateral ties and to fill the gaps that may potentially be created by the U.S. no longer being a trusted ally.

Also called the Dosan Ahn Changho-class submarine, the KS-III is well situated to meet Canada's demands for stealth, Arctic deployability, persistence, endurance, lethality, and deterrence.

It displaces nearly 3,700 tons submerged and has a submerged endurance of up to 20 days, besides vertical launch systems for land-attack cruise missiles, combat management systems, and modern sonars, among others, Army Recognition reported.

"These features make the KSS-III one of the most capable non-nuclear submarines on the global market," they added.