Key Takeaways
- The Republic of Korea Navy’s KSS‑III diesel‑electric submarine visited CFB Esquimalt, Victoria, as part of joint exercises and to promote its bid to replace Canada’s aging Victoria‑class fleet.
- The KSS‑III is 89 m long, displaces 3,600 t, can host up to 50 crew, stay submerged for three weeks, and launch anti‑ship and land‑attack cruise missiles.
- Journalists were barred from taking photos or video inside the boat; the South Korean navy required phones to be surrendered for security reasons.
- Canadian submariners who toured the vessel described it as spacious, clean, and free of the rust that plagues Canada’s current subs, likening the upgrade to moving from a 1999 Honda Civic to a brand‑new Tesla.
- The historic joint naval drills on May 23 underscored growing cooperation between Canada and South Korea, framed as a partnership of middle‑powers committed to democracy and freedom.
- Canada currently operates only one of four Victoria‑class submarines; the government plans to acquire 12 modern boats to provide year‑round coverage across its three oceans and to expand the submariner force from ~200 to at least 1,000 personnel.
- A decision on the submarine supplier—either the South Korean KSS‑III bid or a German‑Norwegian TKMS offer—is expected this summer, with a potential contract value of around $25 billion and long‑term implications for Canada’s naval posture in the Indo‑Pacific and Arctic regions.
Overview of the Submarine Visit
A South Korean submarine docked at CFB Esquimalt in Victoria, British Columbia, over the weekend, marking a rare appearance of a foreign warship in Canadian coastal waters. The visit served dual purposes: conducting joint naval exercises with the Royal Canadian Navy and showcasing the KSS‑III submarine as Canada’s prospective replacement for its ageing Victoria‑class fleet. The Republic of Korea Navy sent a crew of roughly 40 submariners aboard the domestically built, diesel‑electric vessel, which is being pitched by shipbuilder Hanwah as part of a competitive procurement process. The event highlighted both the technical merits of the Korean design and the broader strategic partnership between the two middle‑powers.
Technical Specifications and Capabilities of the KSS‑III
The KSS‑III measures 89 metres in length, displaces 3,600 tons, and can accommodate up to 50 personnel. Its endurance allows it to remain submerged for as long as three weeks, a significant advantage for extended patrols. Armament-wise, the submarine is equipped to launch both anti‑ship and land‑attack cruise missiles, giving it a versatile strike capability. Compared with Canada’s current Victoria‑class boats—originally built in the 1980s, purchased second‑hand from the United Kingdom in the 1990s, and now suffering from limited operational readiness—the KSS‑III represents a modern leap in propulsion, stealth, and weapons integration. The vessel’s advanced sonar and combat‑management systems further enhance its suitability for the diverse maritime environments Canada must monitor.
Inside the Submarine: Tour Conditions and Living Quarters
During the guided tour, journalists were required to surrender their phones and were prohibited from taking any photographs or video, a precaution cited by the South Korean navy due to security sensitivities. After descending the ladder, visitors entered the captain’s quarters, which are situated near the central control room—the nerve centre for navigation and weapons deployment. The cabin is modest: a single bed, a small locker for personal items, and a compact washroom. Officer accommodation consists of three stacked bunks, a modest desk, and limited storage space. Despite the inherent tightness of submarine life, the accompanying Canadian submariners noted that the KSS‑III feels surprisingly spacious and exceptionally clean, lacking the corrosion and wear evident in Canada’s Victoria‑class boats.
Canadian Submariners’ Impressions and Comparative Analogy
Two Canadian submariners who accompanied the South Korean crew on part of their transit to Canada shared their impressions with CTV National News. They described the KSS‑III as “kind of like buying a brand‑new Tesla but you’re coming out of a ‘99 Honda Civic—the Honda Civic works well, but sometimes you’ve got to know how to start it in the morning.” This analogy underscores the perceived generational leap in reliability, comfort, and technological sophistication. The visitors highlighted the vessel’s cleanliness, the absence of rust, and the ergonomic layout that reduces fatigue during long deployments. Their feedback suggests that, should Canada select the KSS‑III, crews would benefit from a markedly improved living and working environment compared with the current fleet.
Joint Naval Drills and Bilateral Cooperation
On May 23, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Republic of Korea Navy conducted historic joint naval drills in the waters off Vancouver Island. The exercises featured coordinated anti‑submarine warfare maneuvers, communication interoperability tests, and joint navigation drills, signalling a deepening of defence ties. Rear‑Admiral David Patchell of Canadian Maritime Forces Pacific emphasized that Canada possesses the world’s longest coastline and must patrol three oceans, a task currently hampered by having only one operational submarine. He framed the potential purchase of 12 new submarines as essential to achieving a credible, year‑round presence across the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic theatres. The drills also served as a platform for both navies to exchange best practices and to demonstrate a shared commitment to upholding a rules‑based maritime order.
Current State of Canada’s Submarine Fleet
Canada’s submarine arm presently consists of four Victoria‑class boats, of which only one is deemed fully operational. The vessels entered service in the late 1990s after being acquired second‑hand from the UK and have since suffered from aging equipment, maintenance challenges, and limited availability. The scarcity of operational boats restricts the Royal Canadian Navy’s ability to conduct sustained patrols, training, and sovereign‑area surveillance. Officials acknowledge that the existing fleet falls far short of the capability needed to monitor Canada’s extensive maritime approaches, particularly as geopolitical tensions rise in the Indo‑Pacific and Arctic regions. This gap has driven the push for a modern replacement fleet capable of meeting contemporary threats.
Strategic Rationale for a Twelve‑Boat Fleet and Personnel Expansion
Rear‑Admiral Patchell argued that a fleet of twelve submarines would enable Canada to maintain at least one boat on patrol in each of its three oceans every day of the year, thereby enhancing deterrence and rapid‑response capacity. To operate such a force, the navy would need to grow its submariner complement from roughly 200 to at least 1,000 trained personnel—a substantial investment in recruitment, training, and retention. The expanded fleet would also support Canada’s commitments to NATO, NORAD, and various Indo‑Pacific partnerships, allowing for greater flexibility in multinational operations and a stronger presence in emerging strategic corridors such as the Northwest Passage and the South China Sea.
Diplomatic, Geopolitical Context and Decision Timeline
The visit also carried diplomatic weight. South Korea’s ambassador to Canada, Lim Ki‑Mo, emphasized that the submarine cooperation is rooted in shared democratic values and a history that dates back to Canada’s contribution during the Korean War. He described the partnership as a manifestation of middle‑powers collaborating to safeguard freedom and security in an increasingly contested maritime environment. With the Arctic opening to new shipping routes and the Indo‑Pacific becoming a focal point of great‑power competition, Canada’s decision—expected as early as June—will shape its naval posture for decades. Whether the contract goes to Hanwah’s KSS‑III or the German‑Norwegian TKMS bid, the outcome will determine the technological foundation, industrial benefits, and strategic reach of Canada’s submarine force for the coming generation.