▲ The ROKS Dosan Ahn Chang-ho naval submarine (bottom) attends a maritime drill with Canadian Royal Navy in waters off Canada in this file photo provided by the South Korean Navy on June 6, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

S Korea-Canada submarine

S. Korea loses bid for Canadian submarine program to Germany's TKMS

SEOUL, July 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has failed to win Canada's multibillion-dollar submarine program, with Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) selected as the preferred bidder.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced TKMS' selection ahead of his departure for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) leaders' summit in Turkey on Monday (local time), dealing a setback to the South Korean consortium led by Hanwha Ocean Co. and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co.

The project involves the construction of up to 12 diesel-electric submarines under a procurement program valued at up to 60 trillion won (US$39.1 billion), including construction and long-term maintenance.

TKMS defeated the South Korean consortium in the final competition for one of Canada's largest-ever naval procurement programs.

Canada, a NATO member, has long relied on European suppliers for its submarine fleet, with its current Victoria-class submarines acquired second-hand from Britain.

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