Victoria, B.C. – The Dosan Ahn Changho, a state-of-the-art submarine from South Korea, docked at CFB Esquimalt on Saturday morning, marking the beginning of a series of joint exercises with the Canadian Navy. This visit comes at a pivotal moment in Canada’s submarine procurement process, as the nation prepares to select a contractor for the construction of up to 12 new diesel-electric submarines. South Korea’s Hanwha Defence is one of the finalists in competition with Germany’s TKMS for this significant contract.
A Key Moment for Hanwha Defence
The arrival of the Dosan Ahn Changho is not just a routine military exercise; it represents a crucial opportunity for Hanwha Defence Canada to showcase its capabilities at a critical juncture in the bidding process. Glenn Copeland, CEO of Hanwha Defence Canada, expressed enthusiasm about the submarine’s presence. “We’ve been at this for a while. We wanted the sub to come over here,” he remarked. “We’re going to take advantage of the timing and are quite happy to promote that.”
Earlier this year, both Hanwha and TKMS made their final proposals to the Canadian government after an extended bidding timeline designed to encourage more competitive offers. The revised deadline followed the initial submissions, which were due on March 2.
Journey Across the Pacific
The Dosan Ahn Changho embarked on its remarkable journey from Jinhae Naval Base in South Korea on March 25, travelling over 14,000 kilometres across the Pacific Ocean. The submarine made necessary refuelling stops in Guam and Hawaii, where it welcomed two Canadian submariners, Lieutenant-Commander Britany Bourgeois and Petty Officer 2nd Class Jake Dixon, who joined the Korean crew on May 7. As part of the ongoing exercise, six more Canadian personnel are expected to board the submarine for its return journey.
Lieutenant-Commander Bourgeois shared her insights on the differences between Canada’s aging Victoria-class submarines and the modern Dosan Ahn Changho. With only one of Canada’s four Victoria-class submarines currently operational, the need for new vessels is pressing. “Being on a newer submarine really opened our eyes to the possibilities of what we have in store. What really hits home is that Canada needs new submarines,” she stated. Petty Officer Dixon likened the experience to upgrading from an old car to a high-tech vehicle, saying, “It’s like buying a brand-new Tesla and then coming out of a ’99 Honda Civic.”
Training and Skills Development
During their time on the Dosan Ahn Changho, Bourgeois and Dixon had the unique chance to enhance their skills as submariners. Each focused on different areas of expertise, with Bourgeois concentrating on naval warfare and Dixon on electrical systems. Dixon even noted a fun personal development aspect, mentioning the onboard chef’s culinary skills with dishes such as Galbi, a Korean braised short ribs specialty.
Currently, Canada has around 200 submariners in active service. However, Rear-Admiral David Patchell, Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, indicated that this number needs to increase significantly to support the future fleet. “To operate the new submarines, we need to grow our submariner workforce to 1,000,” he explained, acknowledging the challenge while also emphasizing the recruitment opportunities this presents. “We’re seeing an incredible uptick in recruiting. In our naval experience programme, one third of participants are choosing submarines.”
A Submarine Nation on the Horizon
As Canada moves closer to selecting a contractor for its submarine programme, Rear-Admiral Patchell affirmed the navy’s readiness to align its crew construction with the delivery timeline of the new vessels. “We have operated submarines for over 100 years, but we have never truly been a submarine nation. With 12 modern submarines, Canada will become a submarine nation,” he said confidently.
Why it Matters
The arrival of the Dosan Ahn Changho not only highlights the urgent need for Canada to rejuvenate its underwater capabilities but also reflects a significant shift in the nation’s defence strategy. As Canada positions itself to become a more formidable maritime power, the outcome of this procurement process will have lasting implications for national security, naval operations, and international partnerships. The integration of modern submarines into the Canadian fleet could redefine Canada’s role in global maritime security and enhance its ability to respond to emerging threats in the increasingly contested waters of the Pacific.
