Hanwha Ocean and Thordon Bearings have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore cooperation opportunities related to the Canadian Patrol Submarine Program (CPSP) and other maritime projects in Canada and internationally.
The agreement focuses on potential collaboration in submarine systems, naval technologies and long-term lifecycle support for future naval programmes.
The CPSP is considered one of the world’s largest conventional submarine procurement programmes, with Hanwha Ocean selected by the Canadian government as one of two qualified suppliers for the project.
Under the proposed cooperation, Hanwha Ocean said it plans to support the development of domestic capabilities in Canada for submarine subsystems and maintenance activities, subject to the final award of the programme.
Based in Burlington, Ontario, Thordon Bearings supplies oil-free bearing technologies for naval applications and has delivered systems to more than 50 navies and coast guards globally. Its bearing systems are already installed on Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigates and Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels.
Charlie SC Eoh, President and COO of Naval Ship Business at Hanwha Ocean, said, “Signing this MOU with Thordon Bearings, a company with world-class technological capabilities, marks a meaningful step in our efforts to explore cooperation with local supply chain partners for the Canadian submarine program.”
He added that the company aims to work with Canadian industry partners to support the requirements of the Royal Canadian Navy and strengthen bilateral naval defence cooperation.
Anna Galoni, CEO of Thordon Bearings, said, “Through this MOU, we hope to explore how Thordon’s Canadian-made, proven bearings can work with Hanwha Ocean’s leading submarine and shipbuilding global performance record with the objective to strengthen sovereign defense industrial capability.”
She added that cooperation with Hanwha Ocean could also create opportunities for future export sales to international navies.
