AtkinsRéalis, Hanwha Ocean sign Canada submarine pact

AtkinsRéalis and Hanwha Ocean have signed a memorandum of understanding on submarine collaboration in Canada, focused on the country's domestic submarine industrial base.

The agreement sets out a framework to examine submarine infrastructure and manufacturing in Canada, as well as related work in nuclear, power, and defence. It combines AtkinsRéalis' experience in submarine support and infrastructure with Hanwha Ocean's shipbuilding, submarine design and manufacturing capabilities.

The move comes as Canada looks to strengthen defence production and supply chains under its Defence Industrial Strategy, released in February by the Carney government.

The memorandum outlines three intended areas of collaboration. The first covers submarine infrastructure design and delivery across the full platform lifecycle, working with government, industry and the Royal Canadian Navy.

The second focuses on helping establish manufacturing capacity in Canada to support domestic submarine production and related programs. The third covers broader collaboration in nuclear, power and defence, aimed at creating further industrial opportunities for Canadian and South Korean industry.

The work could also support Hanwha Ocean's Industrial and Technological Benefits obligations tied to defence procurement in Canada.

For AtkinsRéalis, the agreement builds on existing work in submarine programs and nuclear infrastructure. The Montreal-based group has supported the UK submarine sector for years through work for the Ministry of Defence and original equipment manufacturers.

That includes more than 27 years of partnership with Rolls-Royce Submarines. More recently, AtkinsRéalis was appointed to a multi-year nuclear and engineering partnership and named fissile design partner alongside Mott MacDonald on work linked to the AUKUS submarine programme.

It has also provided services to Babcock International since 2010 in connection with work at Devonport Royal Dockyard in Plymouth, where Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarines are maintained, refuelled and overhauled.

Hanwha Ocean brings a large shipbuilding base in South Korea and a long record in naval construction. It has more than four decades of experience in naval and commercial shipbuilding and has delivered more than 1,400 vessels worldwide since its establishment in 1973.

Its integrated shipyard in Geoje covers five square kilometres and employs more than 31,000 people. Hanwha Ocean builds about 45 commercial and naval ships each year and has experience in the design, construction and sustainment of submarines and surface combatants for the Republic of Korea Navy.

The agreement also reflects an existing industrial connection between Canada and South Korea in the nuclear sector. AtkinsRéalis is the steward of CANDU nuclear technology, and South Korea operates three of the four CANDU reactors built there since 1977.

Stéphanie Vaillancourt, President, Canada, AtkinsRéalis, said the agreement is intended to test how international and domestic expertise can be applied to Canada's submarine needs. 

"This memorandum of understanding is a practical step to explore how AtkinsRéalis' global experience in defence, combined with our Canadian capabilities, can support Hanwha Ocean in strengthening Canada's sovereign submarine readiness and resilience, which will in turn support a high-tech manufacturing base and generate long-term economic benefits at home," Vaillancourt said.