Joint Bid Submitted by Hanwha and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for $20 Billion Canadian Submarine Development Contract

Joint Bid Submitted by Hanwha and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for $20 Billion Canadian Submarine Development Contract

Fresh Tack: The Global Prominence of South Korea's KSS-III Submarine

Engage in a captivating exploration of the KSS-III submarine, a masterpiece of marine engineering, developed by Hanwha Ocean and Hyundai Heavy Industries. This submarine, also known as the Dosan Ahn Changho-class, boasts groundbreaking features such as an air-independent propulsion system, vertical launch systems for land-attack cruise missiles, advanced sonars, and sophisticated combat management systems. With a displacement of nearly 3,700 tons when submerged and an endurance of up to 20 days, the KSS-III stands among the leaderboard of non-nuclear submarines worldwide. [ changes: Adapted the tone, integrated insights from enrichment data, restructured paragraphs for clarity, revised sentence structure ]

On March 7, Kang Hwan-seug, vice minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), and Judith Bennett, assistant deputy minister at Canada's Department of National Defence, convened in Ottawa. The meeting was significant as Hanwha Ocean and its allies were vying for a lucrative opportunity to supply Canada with four KSS-III submarines by 2035 as part of its strategy to procure 12 conventionally powered, under-ice capable submarines. Should this proposal be successful, it would add yet another country to the expanding global presence of the KSS-III submarine. [ changes: Integrated insights from enrichment data, combined information in a more cohesive manner, revised sentence structure]

Besides the Canadian project, Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries have also expressed interest in Poland's Orka Project, with the preferred bidder set to be announced within the first half of 2023. Meanwhile, Germany is seen as the front-runner for this deal. The KSS-III submarine is also being considered for export to other countries, aiming to enhance maritime defense capabilities in regions like the Baltic, where it could potentially challenge Russia's dominance. [ changes: Integrated some insights from enrichment data, revised sentence structure]

This global pursuit underscores South Korea's determined drive to establish itself as a significant player in the global defense industry, following in the footsteps of successful exports like the K9 Thunder howitzer and the FA-50 fighter jet. [ changes: Adapted the tone, revised sentence structure, integrated some insights from enrichment data]

1. The KSS-III submarine, a remarkable creation of marine engineering by Hanwha Ocean and Hyundai Heavy Industries, has garnered international attention due to its advanced features and capabilities.
2. On March 7, Kang Hwan-seug, the vice minister of South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), and Judith Bennett, assistant deputy minister at Canada's Department of National Defence, discussed Hanwha Ocean's proposed sale of KSS-III submarines to Canada.
3. Should this sale be successful, it would mark another addition to the expanding global presence of the KSS-III submarine, potentially establishing it as a formidable force in the Canadian navy.
4. In addition to the Canadian project, Hanwha Ocean has shown interest in Poland's Orka Project, with the preferred bidder set to be announced in the first half of 2023.
5. Given the intense competition, it is unclear whether South Korea will secure the Orka Project, but other countries are also eyeing the KSS-III for potential exports, with the Baltic region being a prime target.
6. The global pursuit of the KSS-III submarine reflects South Korea's ambition to solidify its position as a major player in the global defense industry, emulating its success with exports like the K9 Thunder howitzer and the FA-50 fighter jet.

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