Team Europe Unites Against K-Defense: How 'Full Support' and Order Swaps Blocked South Korea

It has been revealed that the Canadian government's decision on July 6 to select Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) over Hanwha Ocean as the preferred bidder for its next-generation submarine project was driven by full-scale support from Team Europe.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney explained the selection, stating, "Both TKMS and Hanwha Ocean met the demanding requirements of the Royal Canadian Navy." However, he added, "TKMS proposed an early delivery of the submarines by adjusting the order sequence with Germany and Norway."

It turns out that Norway, a NATO ally, went as far as to yield its own delivery slot for submarines it had ordered to help Germany, which was lagging behind South Korea in delivery timelines, thereby providing full-scale support for TKMS.

In this bidding competition, Hanwha Ocean had initially gained an advantage by leveraging its technical prowess and rapid delivery capabilities, pledging to supply four submarines by 2035. Ultimately, however, it was blocked by the joint efforts of Team Europe.

Including this Canadian case, South Korea's defense industry has now suffered four consecutive losses in major defense contract competitions against Europe.

In May, Hanwha Aerospace lost the 6 trillion won Romanian next-generation infantry fighting vehicle project to Germany's Rheinmetall, and in June, it was surpassed by a British-French consortium in the follow-up project for the modernization of France's multiple launch rocket system.

Last November, Hanwha Ocean, which had bid for Poland's 8 trillion won next-generation submarine procurement project, was outpaced by Sweden's Saab.

Despite boasting superior technology and speed, South Korea has faced consecutive setbacks, hindered by the solid security and defense cartel of Europe.

Hanwha Ocean released a statement saying, "We put our utmost effort into winning the contract, but we could not overcome the barrier of the NATO alliance."

Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Commissioner Lee Yong-cheol also noted, "The decisive difference appears to have stemmed from NATO interoperability and cooperation factors."

President Lee Jae-myung stated on social media today, "The bold challenge of K-Defense will continue," adding, "The government will provide all possible support, including research and development, export assistance, and the strengthening of international cooperation."

Reported by Kim Minjeong | Video by Seo Byeong-wook | Graphics by Lee Jeong-ju | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.