'Defense Envoy' Kang Hoonshik Heads to Canada to Secure 60 Trillion Won Submarine Contract

20,000 Jobs Expected if Contract Secured
Cheonmu Export Talks to Be Held in Norway

Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Hoonshik departed for Canada on the 26th as a special envoy for economic cooperation, aiming to secure a submarine contract worth 60 trillion won. Following his visit to Canada, he will continue discussions in Norway regarding the export of the Korean multi-launch rocket system (MLRS) "Cheonmu (K-239)."

Yonhap News Agency

Before departing from Incheon International Airport for Canada on the morning of the same day, Kang told reporters, "It is estimated that the domestic production inducement effect of winning the Canadian submarine project alone would exceed at least 40 trillion won, providing work for more than 300 partner companies and creating 20,000 jobs."

Canada's "Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP)" involves the acquisition of up to 12 diesel submarines weighing 3,000 tons each. When combining construction costs with future maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) expenses, the total project size is estimated at up to 60 trillion won. Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries have formed a "One Team" consortium to participate in the bid, competing in the final stage with Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).

The special envoy delegation includes Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeonggwan, Defense Acquisition Program Administration Commissioner Lee Yongcheol, and representatives from Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, who formed the consortium. In addition, domestic companies such as Hyundai Motor Group are also participating in the delegation. Kang stated, "We will directly convey the government's commitment by meeting with the highest-level officials of the Canadian government."

Meanwhile, the multi-launch rocket system (MLRS) "Cheonmu" has emerged as the leading candidate for this year's first defense export item. It is scheduled to be supplied to Norway, and the contract is expected to be signed as early as the 30th (local time). According to a government official on the 26th, the budget bill for introducing a long-range precision strike system recently passed the standing committee of the Norwegian parliament. The final plenary session and subsequent government procedures remain.

The cost of introducing Cheonmu is estimated at approximately 19 billion Norwegian kroner (about 2.4 trillion won). Cheonmu is a next-generation MLRS system developed with domestic technology. The special envoy delegation led by Kang also plans to visit Norway after the Canada trip to support export cooperation for "Cheonmu."