Dec 10, 2025 – A Canadian submariner joins the ROKS Ahn Mu during Silent Shark drills near Guam, marking the first foreign crew aboard a 3,000‑ton South Korean submarine and showcasing operational experience relevant to Canada’s Patrol Submarine Project, which seeks up to 12 vessels with the first delivery by 2035; Hanwha Ocean and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems are the two shortlisted suppliers [12].

Jan 21, 2026 – Canada’s Richard Arbeiter tells Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Eui‑hae that Ottawa has “strong confidence” in South Korea’s defence industry for the next‑generation submarine project and proposes a “two‑plus‑two” foreign‑defence ministers’ dialogue, while noting Canada aims to receive its first new submarine no later than 2035 [11].

Jan 21, 2026 – Hanwha Ocean appoints former Royal Canadian Navy officer Glenn Copeland as CEO of the new Ottawa‑based Hanwha Defence Canada, leveraging his 22‑year RCN service and Lockheed Martin experience to lead the bid for Canada’s eight‑to‑12 submarine programme valued at up to 60 trillion won [10].

Jan 26, 2026 – Chief of staff Kang Hoon‑sik flies to Toronto to lobby for the South Korean bid, emphasizing that Hanwha Ocean is the final Korean contender against Germany’s ThyssenKrupp and announcing his subsequent trip to Norway to expand defence ties, part of Seoul’s goal to become one of the world’s four largest arms exporters [8].

Jan 26, 2026 – Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung joins the government delegation headed by Kang and Industry Minister Kim Jung‑kwan, signalling Hyundai’s interest in Canada’s requirement for local submarine repair facilities and automobile‑factory partnerships under the $41‑$44 billion patrol submarine programme [9].

Jan 27, 2026 – At a Toronto industrial‑cooperation forum, Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Systems sign five MoUs with Canadian firms, including a $251 million Algoma Steel investment, AI collaboration with Cohere, and a LEO‑satellite partnership with Telesat, to satisfy Canada’s offset demands and strengthen the Korean consortium’s bid [7].

Jan 29, 2026 – Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon‑sik delivers President Yoon Suk‑yeol’s personal letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, briefs officials on advanced Korean submarine technology, and notes that Stephen Fuhr will visit South Korea next week to board a Korean Navy submarine, underscoring high‑level diplomatic engagement [6].

Jan 31, 2026 – After returning from Canada and Norway, Kang Hoon‑sik declares that Korean submarine technology “is significantly better” than rivals, expresses confidence the bid will succeed despite NATO‑Germany ties, and predicts the contract award could occur within six months to a year after the March deadline, while highlighting Hanwha Aerospace’s recent 19 billion‑kroner artillery deal in Norway [5].

Feb 2, 2026 – Canadian procurement chief Stephen Fuhr tours Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard, boards the 3,600‑ton Jang Yeong‑sil submarine and calls the experience “amazing,” while stressing that Canada will prioritize the partner offering the greatest economic benefit and offset opportunities, including automotive‑sector collaborations [4].

Feb 5, 2026 – Defence Minister Ahn Gyu‑back meets Fuhr in Seoul, highlighting South Korea’s indigenous submarine expertise and “swift and stable” delivery, and Fuhr inspects the 3,600‑ton Jang Bogo‑III Batch‑II model, reinforcing practical cooperation prospects [2].

Feb 5, 2026 – Chief of staff Kang Hoon‑sik meets Fuhr at the presidential office, marking a second encounter within two weeks and signalling Seoul’s intensified lobbying; the meeting underscores the imminent supplier selection for the $41 billion patrol submarine project and the official endorsement of the Hanwha‑HD Hyundai consortium [3].

Feb 20, 2026 – South Korean defence, foreign and industrial ministries, the Navy and firms Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai sign a support document confirming government backing for the Canadian submarine bid, with DAPA Minister Lee Yong‑cheol stating the project “goes beyond proposing capabilities” and requires “trust and implementation,” while Canada’s procurement secretary Stephen Fuhr says the “big deciding factor” will be the maximum economic benefit to Canada [1].

Early Mar 2026 – South Korean and German bidders must file detailed proposals for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project; Ottawa plans to select a supplier within six months to a year, aiming for the first new submarine to enter service by 2035 [5][1].