AtkinsRéalis, Hanwha Ocean Partner on Canadian Submarine Capabilities

Event summary

  • AtkinsRéalis and Hanwha Ocean signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 14, 2026, to collaborate on Canada's submarine capabilities.
  • The MoU aligns with Canada's new Defence Industrial Strategy and aims to strengthen the Canadian defence industrial base.
  • Collaboration areas include submarine infrastructure design, domestic manufacturing support, and leveraging technologies in nuclear, power, and defence sectors.
  • Hanwha Ocean will leverage AtkinsRéalis' expertise to fulfill Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) obligations related to submarine programs.

The big picture

This partnership reflects a broader trend of governments seeking to bolster domestic defence industrial capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy is actively incentivizing collaboration and local production, while Hanwha Ocean gains access to AtkinsRéalis' expertise and the Canadian market. The agreement also highlights the increasing importance of nuclear expertise, given AtkinsRéalis' stewardship of CANDU® technology and involvement in the AUKUS program.

What we're watching

ITB Compliance
Hanwha Ocean's ability to effectively utilize AtkinsRéalis' expertise will be critical in meeting its Industrial and Technological Benefits obligations, potentially influencing future contract awards.
Domestic Manufacturing
The success of establishing domestic submarine manufacturing capability in Canada will depend on the transfer of technology and expertise from Hanwha Ocean, and the Canadian government's commitment to supporting the initiative.
AUKUS Spillover
The extent to which AtkinsRéalis' experience on the AUKUS submarine program translates into tangible benefits for the Canadian submarine program will be a key indicator of the partnership's value.

Related topics

Nuclear