(C) Defence Industry Europe
SEOUL – In a significant move to bolster international defense cooperation, Colin Crooks, the British Ambassador to South Korea, visited Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje Shipyard on February 27, 2026. The visit focused on inspecting the production of the Jangbogo-III (KSS-III) Batch-II submarines and discussing the strategic partnership between South Korea and the United Kingdom for the multi-billion dollar Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).
Strengthening the Hanwha-Babcock Alliance
The visit highlights the deepening ties between Hanwha Ocean and Babcock International, a British defense giant. The two companies are currently collaborating to secure the CPSP contract, which aims to replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s aging Victoria-class fleet with up to 12 modern conventional submarines.
Ambassador Crooks toured the submarine block fabrication sites, automated facilities, and the "Smart Yard" production system. He expressed particular interest in the Jangbogo-III Batch-II, the vessel Hanwha is proposing to Canada. This submarine is uniquely suited for the project as it integrates critical British technology, including:
Weapon Systems: British-made torpedo tubes and advanced armament control systems.
Life Support: High-efficiency CO2 scrubbers developed in the UK.
Operational Synergies: Seamless integration of British hardware within South Korean maritime architecture.
A "Win-Win" Strategy for Canada
The partnership between Hanwha Ocean and Babcock Canada—which already provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for the Canadian Navy—is seen as a masterstroke for meeting Canada's "In-Service Support" (ISS) requirements.
"The collaboration between Hanwha and Babcock combines the cutting-edge technological prowess of South Korea with the extensive naval support experience of the UK," said Jung Seung-kyun, Vice President of Hanwha Ocean’s Special Ship Overseas Business Division. "This structure offers a practical, sustainable solution that ensures the long-term operational reliability of Canada’s future submarine fleet."
For the Canadian government, this alliance addresses two critical pillars:
Economic Benefit: High levels of localization through Babcock’s existing Canadian footprint.
Technological Superiority: Access to the world’s first Lithium-ion battery-powered conventional submarine (KSS-III), which offers superior underwater endurance.
The Global Context: A New Era of Naval Diplomacy
Industry analysts suggest that the British Ambassador’s visit serves as a diplomatic endorsement of South Korean naval technology. As the global security landscape shifts, the "K-Submarine" is emerging as a formidable competitor to traditional European designs from Germany and France.
The Jangbogo-III Batch-II is currently considered one of the most advanced conventional submarines in the world, featuring enhanced sonar suites and vertical launch systems (VLS) that provide versatility rarely seen in non-nuclear vessels.
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