Cooperation on Canadian Submarine Project Becomes Visible
Korea-UK Defense Partnership Put to the Test
Colin Crooks, British Ambassador to Korea, visited Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje plant to review the status of defense industry cooperation between Korea and the UK.
On the 27th, Colin Crooks, British Ambassador to Korea (fourth from the left), who visited Hanwha Ocean's Geoje plant, is taking a commemorative photo with Seungkyun Jung, Head of Hanwha Ocean's Special Ship Overseas Business Division (second from the right), with the Goliath crane in the background. Provided by Hanwha Ocean
According to Hanwha Ocean on February 27, Ambassador Crooks visited the Geoje plant that morning to tour the construction site of the Jangbogo-III Batch-II submarine and check the progress of cooperation with the British defense company Babcock.
Currently, Hanwha Ocean and the UK’s Babcock are jointly participating in the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) based on a strategic partnership. This visit took place to review the cooperation model between the two companies and to directly observe their production capabilities.
Ambassador Crooks inspected the submarine block assembly site, automation facilities, and the production system based on the smart yard. In particular, the company noted that he showed great interest in the Jangbogo-III Batch-II submarine, which is currently under construction.
The Jangbogo-III Batch-II submarine, which Hanwha Ocean has proposed for the Canadian project, is expected to be equipped with British-made torpedo launch tubes, a weapon control system, and a carbon dioxide (CO2) removal system. Both parties used this visit as an opportunity to share updates on project progress and cooperation.
The cooperation model between Hanwha Ocean and Babcock is expected to have a positive impact in meeting Canada’s requirements. Babcock Canada signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement (TCA) with Hanwha Ocean in 2023 and is currently responsible for maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO), and support services for the Royal Canadian Navy. As a result, the Korea-UK cooperation system is also expected to be competitive in terms of localization, strengthening the industrial base, and ensuring the long-term operational reliability of submarines, all of which are priorities for the Canadian government.
Ambassador Crooks stated, “The Teaming Agreement between Hanwha Ocean and Babcock is a representative example of putting into practice the Defense Joint Export MOU promoted by the governments of Korea and the UK,” and added, “The strategic partnership between companies from both nations will serve as a foundation for expanding cooperation across a range of defense industry sectors in the future.”
Seunggyun Jung, Executive Vice President and Head of Special Ship Overseas Business Division at Hanwha Ocean, commented, “The cooperation structure combining the technological capabilities and naval project experience of both countries’ companies will provide a practical and sustainable solution for the Canadian submarine project,” and added, “Through the CPSP project, we aim to contribute to strengthening the Royal Canadian Navy’s capabilities and developing the local industrial ecosystem.”
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