South Korean submarine arrives in B.C. as Hanwha ramps up sales pitch

The ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho submarine arrives in B.C. on Saturday, May 23, in this image handed out by Hanwha Ocean.

After a 14,000-kilometre voyage across the Pacific Ocean, a South Korean submarine has arrived in British Columbia as the country continues its push to secure a multibillion-dollar contract to build the Royal Canadian Navy’s next fleet of submarines.

The ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho, a KSS-III sub, arrived at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt alongside the frigate ROKS Daejeon on Saturday. The two warships made a two-month journey from Jinhae Naval Base, and made a stop in Hawaii where two RCN submariners embarked to join the Korean Navy crew for the remainder of the trip.

Read more: South Korean submarine to conduct exercises off B.C. amid procurement push

During the visit, the vessels will participate in training exercises with Canadian ships, which Maritime Forces Pacific previously said will “demonstrate a strong and growing maritime partnership” between the two countries.

Read more: Hanwha eyes major Canadian defence deal, plans Pacific voyage of attack submarine

South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean is currently in competition with German manufacturer TKMS to build up to 12 new submarines for Canada.

Hanwha is making a case for the federal government to choose its KSS-III class submarines for the to replace the aging Victoria class vessels.

If it is awarded the contract, Hanwha has promised to build armoured battle vehicles in Canada, among other economic incentives.

Read more: South Korea sweetens submarine bid, will manufacture armoured vehicles in Canada if chosen

The company hopes the Dosan Ahn Changho’s visit will prove the KSS-III “has the range and capabilities to meet and exceed the requirements of the Royal Canadian Navy,” Hanwha wrote in a news release Saturday.

“Hanwha Ocean is committed to becoming a trusted long-term partner for Canada through local investment, industrial co-operation, workforce development, and sustained economic engagement that supports Canada’s ‘Buy Canadian’ approach,” president Charlie SC Eoh said, in the release.

Read more: Canadian submarine procurement urgent as current shortcomings ‘well known,’ says navy commander

The federal government has said it expects to award the new submarine contract by 2028 at the latest, with delivery of the first sub no later than 2035.

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Todd Coyne