Press Release
Hanwha Ocean, a recognized global leader in submarine design and construction, has signed a Teaming Agreement with Babcock Canada (Babcock), Canada’s leader in submarine support and the Prime Contractor of the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) Victoria Class In-Service Support Contract.
Through this agreement, which follows an MoU and Technical Cooperation Agreement signed between Babcock and Hanwha Ocean in 2021 and 2022 respectively, Babcock becomes the exclusive In-Service Support partner that will support Hanwha Ocean on the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).
The CPSP is one of the largest conventional submarine procurements in modern history and offers a transformational opportunity for Canada. Hanwha Ocean has recently been selected as one of two qualified suppliers by the Government of Canada for the CPSP.
To successfully enter service by 2035 and operate a fleet of up to twelve submarines from coast to coast to coast, significant program investment and commitment will need to be made while the chosen submarine platform is being built. The opportunity to have Canada, the submarine builder, and an experienced Canadian submarine in-service support contractor working together through the build program will ensure Canada is best prepared to sustain its future fleet and deliver operational availability when and where the RCN needs it.
This Teaming Agreement enables both leading marine organizations to combine their respective capabilities in shipbuilding and submarine in-service support to deliver a sovereign Canadian sustainment solution that will support Canada’s future fleet of submarines from build to decommissioning.
Hanwha Ocean brings world-class design, construction, and logistics support capabilities. As a leading global company with extensive expertise and proven experience in shipbuilding and the offshore industry, Hanwha Ocean is unrivalled when it comes to building submarines.
Notably, Hanwha Ocean can deliver the first KSS-III CPS in just six years, followed by additional units at a pace of one per year. Assuming a contract award in 2026, four submarines can be delivered by 2035 – with the first delivered in 2032. This unmatched delivery schedule provides Canada with the fastest path to a new and greatly enhanced submarine capability.
Babcock Canada is a subsidiary of Babcock International Group, an international defence company. In the United Kingdom, Babcock International Group sustains the entirety of the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet. In Canada, Babcock combines the best of Canadian talent and in-country expertise with deep global submarine sustainment knowledge and experience from their work supporting navies of allied countries.
For over 17-years, Babcock has worked side-by-side with its partners and the Government of Canada to lead the only submarine sustainment enterprise in Canada. As a global leader in submarine sustainment and as Canada’s submarine in-service support partner, Babcock delivers program management, maintenance, engineering, and supply chain management support for the RCN’s fleet of Victoria Class submarines.
QUOTES
“This agreement further strengthens our existing relationship with Hanwha Ocean and enables the combination of both organisations’ extensive experience on the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.”
- Tony March, CEO, Babcock Canada
“Hanwha Ocean's proven submarine construction capability and the fastest delivery schedule, combined with Babcock's established in-country supply chain and deep global sustainment knowledge, will provide the Royal Canadian Navy with the lowest risk and most reliable solution to ensure optimal availability of the submarine fleet."
- VAdm (Ret.) Steve Jeong, Senior Executive Vice President, Head of Naval Ship Global Business, Hanwha Ocean
