Royal Canadian Navy submariners aboard the ROK Navy’s 3,000-ton-class submarine ROKS Dosan Ahn Chang-ho (SS-III), participating in joint South Korea-Canada cooperation drills, pose for a commemorative photo with South Koreans at CFB Esquimalt in Victoria, on June 2. (ROKN)
Six Canadian submariners left Victoria on Tuesday onboard a South Korean submarine as part of a joint training exercise between the two countries.
The Republic of Korea Ship (ROKS) Dosan Ahn Chang-ho arrived at CFB Esquimalt on May 23 to participate in training drills and other cultural and informational exchanges.
It was the culmination of the longest voyage ever for a Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) submarine, which travelled roughly 14,000 kilometres from South Korea to Vancouver Island, after first departing on March 25.
The 3,000-ton-class submarine arrived in Victoria to much fanfare, and on Tuesday six Canadian submarines joined the Korean crew to train.
“We are excited and honoured to be part of the team that is sailing aboard ROKS Dosan Ahn Chang-ho,” said Royal Canadian Navy Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Naomi Mihalcheon in a release Tuesday.
“We are looking forward to deepening our understanding of different submarine environments, their operating conditions, and capabilities,” she said. “It is an experience that will broaden our perspectives as submariners and give us insights into diverse naval operations and tactics through collaboration with a highly capable naval partner.”
The submarine is scheduled to stay in the Victoria area until June 7. Besides the joint military exercises involving the Canadian navy and air force, the visit will also include ceremonies and other cultural events, according to the Korean navy.
The South Korean submarine visit comes as Canada looks to update its submarine fleet, with two bids selected as finalists – South Korea’s Hanwha Oceans and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, or TKMS, which includes Germany and Norway.
The multibillion dollar procurement would see Canada buying up to 12 new submarines.
The federal government says the new submarines would also lead to gains at home, with hundreds of new recruits needed to man the submarines, as well as thousands of trades jobs to build infrastructure and upgrades for the vessels.
source: Chek News photo: ROKN
