Canadian Firms and Universities Enhance Hanwha Ocean’s Submarine Supply Network
Recent developments in Canada’s submarine supply chain have marked a significant enhancement in collaboration between Canadian firms and universities and Hanwha Ocean. On March 7, five Teaming Agreements and three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed during a partnership event in Ottawa related to the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).
Strengthening Canada’s Submarine Supply Network
The agreements are designed to integrate Canadian companies, defense technology firms, and academic institutions with Hanwha Ocean, a renowned international naval shipbuilder. This collaboration aims to foster domestic innovation, applied research, and workforce development while aligning with Canada’s “Buy Canadian” policy and Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) objectives.
Details of the Agreements
The partnerships were finalized during Hanwha Ocean’s CPSP Partners’ Day held at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Notable attendees included Canadian industry leaders, government officials, and international defense partners, highlighting the event’s strategic importance.
Teaming Agreements
The five Teaming Agreements involve tri-party collaborations among Hanwha Ocean, various Canadian companies, and international partners. The key partnerships include:
- GeoSpectrum Technologies Inc. and Ultra Maritime (both from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia) with LIG Nex1 (Korea) focusing on underwater acoustic SONAR and undersea warfare.
- Aspin Kemp & Associates (AKA Energy Systems) from Prince Edward Island and J-Squared Technologies Inc. (Kanata, Ontario), working with KTE (Korea) on power distribution and control systems.
- Safran Trusted 4D Canada (Montreal, Quebec) collaborating with Safran Electronics & Defense (France) to enhance optronics and defence electronics.
Academic Collaborations
Hanwha Ocean also established MOUs with three prominent universities:
- University of Toronto
- University of New Brunswick
- Dalhousie University
These agreements focus on research and innovation in various fields such as:
- AI-enabled naval and maritime systems
- Digital and simulation technologies
- Underwater acoustic and stealth technologies
- Arctic-capable vessel technologies
- Automated technologies for crew reduction
Quotes from Industry Leaders
Industry leaders expressed optimism about these agreements:
“CPSP represents an opportunity to build long-term partnerships that deliver real value for Canada,” stated Glenn Copeland, CEO of Hanwha Defence Canada. “By combining Canada’s advanced technologies with Korea’s submarine manufacturing expertise, we can deliver solutions aligned with national interests.”
Paul Yeatman, President of GeoSpectrum Technologies, emphasized the role of Canadian companies in the global submarine program, stating that it positions Atlantic Canada as a hub for underwater acoustics.
Future Prospects
The partnerships signify a commitment to advancing Canada’s defense ecosystem and innovation capacity. Hanwha Ocean intends to continue expanding its collaborations with Canadian industries and research institutions as it develops the CPSP proposal.
This initiative is poised to enhance Canada’s strategic capabilities in defence while creating opportunities for skilled workforce development across the country.
