Jinhae: The naval chiefs of South Korea and Canada will meet Friday to discuss ways to expand their cooperation on maritime security and the arms industry, as stated by South Korea’s Navy. This meeting comes amid Seoul’s bid to secure a significant Canadian submarine project.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kang Dong-gil and Vice Adm. Angus Topshee, commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, are scheduled to meet at a naval base in Jinhae, located approximately 310 kilometers southeast of Seoul. During the meeting, Adm. Kang plans to present a “total solution” approach to Vice Adm. Topshee, which includes education, training, and follow-up support measures related to the submarine project.

South Korean defense firm Hanwha Ocean Co. has been shortlisted as one of the two preferred bidders for a major Canadian submarine contract, alongside Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project aims for Ottawa to acquire up to 12 submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy, with the goal of upgrading its submarine fleet and receiving the first new vessel by 2035.

Vice Adm. Topshee, who is on a five-day visit to South Korea, toured Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje the previous day. During his visit, he inspected the ROKS Jang Yeong-sil, South Korea’s first 3,600-ton naval attack submarine. Additionally, earlier in the day, he boarded a 3,000-ton submarine in waters off a key naval base in Busan, as reported by the Navy.