0
South Korean Navy submarine ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho (SS-III, 3,000-ton class), frigate ROKS Daejeon (FFG, 3,100-ton class), Canadian Navy submarine HMCS Corner Brook (SS, 2,200-ton class), and frigate HMCS Ottawa (FFH, 4,000-ton class) conduct tactical maneuvers during a South Korea-Canada joint naval cooperative exercise held in the waters off western Canada from June 4 to 5 (KST). From bottom to top are ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho, HMCS Ottawa, and ROKS Daejeon. / Courtesy of Yonhap News

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) stated on July 7 that it respects the Canadian government's final selection of Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) as the preferred bidder for its Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).

DAPA expressed respect for the CPSP outcome announced by the Canadian government, noting, "As the government and enterprises have prepared and responded with our utmost efforts, we find it deeply regrettable that this result did not lead to the outcome we had anticipated."

The agency added, "Although we could not overcome the unfavorable strategic conditions, we will not let the experience from this project remain a simple failure and setback, but will instead turn it into a valuable lesson to leap into the ranks of the top four defense powerhouses. To overcome our disadvantages, we will swiftly push for a major transition into AI-driven defense to secure a technological gap. We will also do our best to firmly enter major defense markets through breakthrough localization strategies."

DAPA explained, "The fact that South Korea, which once imported submarine technology from Germany, competed on equal footing with the birthplace of submarines is a meaningful achievement that demonstrates the growth of our defense technology. During the competition, ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho proved its long-distance sailing capability, operational sustainability, and stability by crossing the Pacific all the way to Canada, serving as an opportunity to imprint K-defense capabilities on the global defense market."

DAPA Minister Lee Yong-chul stated, "This CPSP bidding process served as a meaningful opportunity to verify South Korea's submarine technology and the potential for defense cooperation between South Korea and Canada," adding, "DAPA will use the experience and lessons accumulated during this competition as a stepping stone for a leap forward to develop future large-scale defense export strategies and strengthen government-wide support."

                                                                                                            Lee Han-sol