Hanwha Ocean has signed a teaming agreement with Babcock Canada, the firm considered the Canadian-based leader in submarine support. (Hanwha photo)
By Newell Durnbrooke
The battle to replace Canada’s submarine fleet just heated up with potential bidder Hanwha Ocean signing a teaming agreement with Babcock Canada, the firm considered the Canadian-based leader in submarine support. Babcock is also the prime contractor of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Victoria Class In-Service Support Contract.
Through the 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). That is a coup for Hanwha as Babcock has already established itself with staff and facilities for submarine maintenance in Canada.
As was recently announced, the Canadian government narrowed down its choice for the procurement of a new submarine to Germany’s Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and the Korean company Hanwha Ocean.
Up to 12 submarines will be built.
The CPSP is one of the largest conventional submarine procurements in modern history.
Hanwha Ocean noted that 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.
That is why the firm is focusing on teaming arrangements with Canadian-based companies.
The signing of a teaming agreement between Babcock and Hanwha is a coup for the South Korean firm as Babcock has already established itself with staff and facilities for submarine maintenance in Canada. (Hanwha photo)
Hanwha Ocean says it 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 has been involved in supporting Canadian submarines for the last 17 years. Babcock currently delivers program management, maintenance, engineering, and supply chain management support for the RCN’s fleet of Victoria Class submarines.
“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 said in a statement.
Vice Adm (Ret.) Steve Jeong, Senior Executive Vice President, Head of Naval Ship Global Business, Hanwha Ocean, noted that his company’s proven submarine construction capability and the fastest delivery schedule, combined with Babcock's established in-country supply chain and 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."
The pilot training program for the Royal Canadian Air Force is proceeding along without delay.
Members of the Royal Canadian Air Force and industry partner SkyAlyne welcomed the first two CT-102B Astra II (Grob G120 TP) Basic Flight Training aircraft on Sept. 11 at the Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport.
Grob Aircraft recently completed the aircraft manufacturing at their facility in Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany and SkyAlyne completed factory acceptance activities, according to the firm. The aircraft will be based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
They will ultimately form part of a 23-aircraft fleet used to teach ab initio pilot training under the new Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program; a joint initiative run by the RCAF and SkyAlyne. Once FAcT is operational, every future pilot who earns their wings in Canada’s Air Force will have started their flying career on the Astra II.
While bearing some similarities to the current ab initio training aircraft the CT-102A Astra, the CT-102B Astra II boasts superior power and performance that is necessary to prepare pilots to fly increasingly advanced RCAF of today and the future, according to the Canadian Forces.
As part of the FAcT program, the CT-102Bs will operate from 15 Wing Moose Jaw, SK once the program is fully operational, shifting initial ab initio training from 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School in Southport, MB (Portage la Prairie). Training will continue at Southport with 3 CFFTS remaining home to rotary wing and multi-engine training under FAcT.
The CT-102Bs wear a livery of yellow and blue that will be common to all Future Aircrew Training Fleets. The yellow harkens to the Commonwealth Air Training Plan of the Second World War which saw over 130,000 Allied aircrew train in Canada, while the blue reflects the RCAF’s current training aircraft. The two-tone paint scheme is also designed to improve visibility in the air during all seasons to enhance safety.
The CT-102B fleet is owned by the RCAF and loaned to industry partner SkyAlyne under a contracted training and support arrangement. Upon arrival in Moose Jaw, SK the first two aircraft will be used to train instructors and further develop training and lesson plans as part of the FAcT program implementation process. The CT-102B procurement also includes advanced simulators that will eventually be installed in new training infrastructure at 15 Wing Moose Jaw.
Retired Lieutenant-General Jean-Marc Lanthier takes the helm as Chief Executive Officer and President of ADGA Group. Lanthier was originally appointed in July 2020 to the ADGA Strategic Advisory Council. He had served as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. A former Vice Chief of the Defence Staff and Commander of the Canadian Army, he brings over 30 years of leadership and operational experience in uniform.
Canada’s Deputy Minister of National Defence, Stefanie Beck, visited Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje, South Korea on September 7. During the tour of Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard, the Canadian delegation had the opportunity to board the KSS-III Batch-II submarine – the platform Hanwha Ocean is proposing for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). The delegation was provided with an in-depth briefing on the original design and construction process of the KSS-III Batch-II, according to the company. The firm noted the visit was a great opportunity for the Canadians to not only view the submarine, but to experience directly the submarine that could carry Canadian sailors into the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific oceans
