Hanwha Ocean, a South Korean shipbuilder, has forged new collaborations with Canadian companies and universities as part of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). The partnerships were announced at the CPSP Partners’ Day event in Ottawa, which gathered stakeholders from various sectors including industry, academia, and government. Five industry Teaming Agreements and three academic Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were established during the event.
The objective of these agreements is to integrate Canadian organizations into a global submarine supply chain while supporting Canada’s “Buy Canadian” policy and Industrial and Technological Benefits objectives. Each Teaming Agreement facilitates a tri-party collaboration among Hanwha Ocean, a Canadian firm, and a South Korean or international defense technology partner. Key focus areas include submarine capabilities such as sensors, electronics, propulsion systems, and integrated platform management technologies.
Significantly, GeoSpectrum Technologies Inc. and Ultra Maritime from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, will collaborate with Hanwha Ocean and the South Korean firm LIG Nex1 on underwater acoustic sonar and undersea warfare systems. Additional partnerships involve AKA Energy Systems and J-Squared Technologies teaming with the Korean company KTE to work on power distribution, control systems, and embedded computing technologies. Additionally, Safran Trusted 4D Canada has formed a partnership that combines Canadian systems integration expertise with advanced technologies from Safran Electronics & Defense in France.
Alongside industrial agreements, academic MOUs were signed with the University of Toronto, the University of New Brunswick, and Dalhousie University. These partnerships will advance research in areas such as artificial intelligence-enabled naval systems, underwater acoustics, and Arctic-capable vessel development. The universities aim to further engage students and enhance workforce development in advanced maritime technologies.
Glenn Copeland, CEO of Hanwha Defence Canada, emphasized that these agreements are intended for long-term industrial cooperation and that the CPSP initiative offers a platform to blend Canadian technologies with South Korea’s submarine manufacturing experience. He spoke about the potential to provide solutions that align with Canada’s national interests.
Industry leaders echoed these sentiments, highlighting the prospective benefits for Canadian companies involved in international defense programs. Paul Yeatman, President of GeoSpectrum Technologies, noted the importance of collaboration in strengthening undersea and marine technology within Atlantic Canada. Jason Aspin, CEO of AKA Energy Systems, mentioned that this collaboration will bring Canadian expertise into the naval project, while also creating high-value engineering opportunities in Prince Edward Island.
Academic leaders shared their excitement regarding the partnerships, with Dr. Paul J. Mazerolle from the University of New Brunswick underscoring the potential for applied research. Dr. Graham Gagnon of Dalhousie University highlighted the collaborative opportunities for enhancing Canada’s capabilities in ocean science and marine engineering.
Overall, the partnerships not only aim to bolster Canada’s defense innovation ecosystem but also reinforce skilled talent for future naval programs. Hanwha Ocean expressed its intent to expand collaborations with Canadian industries and academic institutions as the CPSP proposal progresses, reinforcing its long-term commitment to strengthening Canada’s defense capabilities and innovation landscape.
Original publication date: [original_date]
