ROKN’s next-gen KSS-III submarine embarks on first-of-its-kind deployment to Canada

March 30, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy’s KSS-III submarine has departed for Canada, marking a milestone in bilateral defence cooperation between Canada and South Korea.

The submarine Dosan Ahn Changho set sail from Jinhae Naval Base on March 25 to participate in a Republic of Korea–Canada naval cooperative exercise scheduled for June.

The vessel is scheduled to arrive in Victoria, British Columbia, in late May.

The deployment includes a 14,000-kilometre trans-Pacific voyage, the longest ever undertaken by a Korean submarine, according to the officials.

During its transit, the KSS-III submarine will make logistical stops in Guam and Hawaii. In Hawaii, two Royal Canadian Navy submariners will embark on the submarine and join the ROK Navy crew for the voyage onward to Victoria, highlighting the operational integration and partnership between the two navies.

Upon arrival in Esquimalt, the Canadian Navy’s West Coast home port just outside Victoria, the submarine is expected to participate in joint exercises alongside Canadian naval forces, and a series of engagements and outreach activities are scheduled.

The visit comes at a time of increasing focus on Canada’s future submarine capabilities and is expected to draw attention from government officials, defense stakeholders and Canadian industry.

The KSS-III is South Korea’s first indigenously designed 3,000-ton-class submarine, built by Hanwha Ocean, representing a new generation of advanced naval capability developed through domestic innovation. Last year, a KSS-III submarine conducted a month-long joint anti-submarine warfare exercise with the US Navy in Guam.

“These kinds of operational deployments are critical in demonstrating not only naval capability and interoperability with NATO nations, but also the strength of Korea’s defence industry and its growing cooperation with partners such as Canada,” said Lee Yong-cheol, Minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.

“This deployment provides a tangible demonstration of the submarine’s endurance and proven operational capability, and its ability to meet Canada’s underwater defence and security needs at the speed of delivery required,” said Glenn Copeland, CEO of Hanwha Canada.

“We look forward to engaging with Canadian stakeholders and demonstrating how Hanwha Ocean can support sovereign defence and sustainment capabilities in Canada through localization, transfer of technology, workforce development, and skills transfer.”