5 things to know about South Korea’s military submarine pitch to Canada [Video]

A pair of South Korean shipyards — usually fierce competitors — have teamed up on a $20-billion to $24-billion proposal to sell Canada 12 of the country’s latest submarines, known as the KSS-III. The pitch was made in a detailed, unsolicited proposal to the federal government, delivered in early March just ahead of the federal election.

CBC News was recently granted exclusive access to both Hanwha Ocean and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) as well as senior South Korean defence officials.

Canada has asked shipyards worldwide for expressions of interest in building the country’s new submarine fleet. Companies in Germany, Norway and Spain responded in addition to the South Koreans. However, Hanwha Ocean and HHI went a step further and submitted a highly detailed proposal that not only proposed the sale of the KSS-IIIs, but the establishment of specialized maintenance facilities on both coasts.

Here are five things to know about the KSS-III and the South Korean proposal.

Missile, torpedo capabilities

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