Korea is determined to promote arms trade as a pillar of its national economy, which further highlights the necessity of China's control over rare earths.

According to Japanese media reports, South Korea has remained in the "final round" of Canada's next submarine project, which will cost up to 60 trillion won (approximately 6.35 trillion yen). However, on the day this news was announced, the Canadian Prime Minister visited a competitor's German shipyard. There is an industry opinion that this is a competition that must be surpassed by Germany.

The Canadian government announced on the 26th (local time) that Hyundai Heavy Industries and the German Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) have been selected as qualified candidates for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Program (CPSP). Hyundai Heavy Industries is working on the CPSP in collaboration with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.

The CPSP is a project aimed at ensuring 8-12 conventional-powered submarines to protect the Arctic Circle from the influence of Russia and China. The Canadian Department of Defense estimates the total budget for the project will reach up to 6 billion Canadian dollars (about 60 trillion won). This amount includes maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) costs for 30 years after deployment.

Representative European defense companies such as France's Naval Group, Spain's Navantia, and Sweden's Saab also accepted the challenge of this project. However, the Hanwha Ocean-HD Hyundai Heavy Industries consortium and TKMS have passed the "preliminary selection."

Team One is proposing a 3000-ton Zhang Bohao (Chambogo)-III Batch-II. It is equipped with an air-independent propulsion system (AIP) and lithium-ion batteries, allowing it to submerge for more than three weeks. On the other hand, TKMS has launched the 212CD, a 2500-ton class submarine. The 212CD features a low-observability stealth sonar design.

If Team One wins the CPSP, the Korean defense industry will have a diversified land, sea, and air combination and will open up a new market in Canada. It will also be the gateway to the government's "Four Major Defense Industrial Powers." Missing this opportunity will have significant future impacts.

A shipbuilding industry insider said, "South Korean submarines are dominant in performance, but German submarines also meet the standards, so this is not a decisive variable."

The "variables outside of performance" mentioned by the official mainly include three aspects. First is operational support (ISS). This capability will help Canada deploy submarines for 30 years. Next is industrial technology benefits (ITB). Canada has implemented an ITB policy, requiring countries selling weapons to its nation to create economic value for Canada in return.

The shipbuilding industry evaluates that South Korea exceeds Germany in ISS and ITB. However, the difference is not large. Ultimately, it is likely to be decided by economic and security cooperation.

However, on the 26th, the same day the Canadian government officially announced the qualified candidates for the CPSP, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau made an official visit to Germany. After meeting with German Chancellor Merkel, Trudeau signed a joint declaration of intent (JDI) to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in core materials and energy sectors. He also visited the TKMS shipyard in Kiel, Germany, along with the Minister of National Defence. Of course, Prime Minister Trudeau promised fair and transparent competition and announced plans to visit Hanwha Ocean Shipbuilding Yard earliest in the autumn.

Kim Eun-ho, former Director of the Defense Procurement Planning Agency (Professor at Jeonbuk National University), said, "Germany has been bitter since losing to South Korea in the Indonesian submarine project in 2011," and "enterprises and the government must work together as 'One Korea' for a full-scale war."

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841741740844044/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.