South Korean Submarine Arrives in Esquimalt After 15,000 km Voyage for Canadian Navy Trials

The Canadian Forces base in Esquimalt received the crew of the submarine "Rok Dosan An Changho" on Monday, following the vessel's arrival last Saturday. This diesel-electric submarine belongs to the "KSS-3" class and is preparing for joint maneuvers with the Canadian Navy and other naval forces.

Hanwha Ocean, the manufacturer of the submarine, is currently bidding for a contract valued at several billion dollars. Glenn Copeland, the general manager and president of Hanwha Defense Canada, stated that the timing was appropriate as Canada is expected to announce the contract winner by the end of next month.

The South Korean company is competing against the German firm Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, which is leading a joint bid with Germany and Norway. Copeland affirmed that the "KSS-3" submarine meets all the Royal Canadian Navy’s requirements regarding range, endurance, size, and armament, describing it as "the best conventional submarine available in the world today."

The submarine reached Esquimalt after an approximately two-month journey covering nearly 15,000 kilometers. This voyage set a record in South Korean naval history as the first crossing of the Pacific Ocean by this class of submarine.