South Korean submarine Dosan Ahn Chang-ho completes historic 14,000-km Pacific crossing
· UPIMay 24 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's domestically designed and built 3,000-ton Dosan Ahn Chang-ho submarine has successfully crossed the Pacific Ocean, setting the longest voyage record in the history of the South Korean Navy's submarine operations.
The Navy said the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho arrived Saturday morning, Korea time, at Esquimalt Naval Base in Victoria, British Columbia, to take part in a South Korea-Canada combined naval cooperation exercise. The frigate Daejeon also accompanied the submarine.
The submarine departed Jinhae Naval Base in South Gyeongsang Province on March 25 and sailed about 14,000 kilometers, or 8,700 miles, one way through Guam and Hawaii before reaching Canada's west coast. The Navy said the mission proved the long-range operational capability and habitability of South Korea's diesel-electric and air-independent propulsion submarine.
Captain Lee Byung-il, commanding officer of the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho, said the crew felt great pride in becoming the first South Korean submarine crew to successfully cross the Pacific and arrive safely in Victoria.
"This successful long voyage is the result of our sailors' readiness and military spirit, combined with the outstanding operational capability of South Korea's submarine," Lee said.
Two Canadian Navy submariners, Major Brittany Bourgeois and Petty Officer Jake Dixon, boarded the submarine in Hawaii on May 8 and took part in the voyage to Victoria. South Korean officials said the Canadian sailors used the submarine's communication systems to connect with Canada's Pacific command, demonstrating interoperability between the two navies.
Bourgeois said the submarine was "amazing," praising its spacious and clean interior, the professionalism of the crew and the food served aboard. Dixon said he was impressed by the submarine's advanced combat and propulsion systems and South Korean naval tactics.
The arrival drew attention because Canada is pursuing the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, a plan to replace four aging Victoria-class submarines with up to 12 new vessels. The project is estimated at about 60 trillion won, or about $44 billion.
Rear Admiral David Patchell, commander of Canada's Pacific Fleet, welcomed the South Korean crew at Esquimalt along with South Korean Ambassador to Canada Lim Ki-mo.
Patchell said the arrival of the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho after a two-month, 14,000-kilometer voyage raised expectations that Canada could acquire advanced equipment needed for its sailors to safely carry out missions and return home.
Lee Yong-cheol, commissioner of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, is scheduled to visit Victoria and Ottawa from Sunday to Wednesday to support cooperation related to Canada's submarine project and broader defense ties.
Lee said the visit of the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho would help expand cooperation between the two countries beyond naval exchanges to defense, industry and technology.
Admiral Kim Kyung-ryul, chief of naval operations of the Republic of Korea Navy, who has been visiting Canada since May 21, is also scheduled to attend the welcoming ceremony for the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho and the frigate Daejeon. He also plans to pay tribute to Canadian veterans of the Korean War at memorial sites in Ottawa and Victoria.
The South Korean naval vessels are expected to continue their deployment after completing combined naval cooperation training off Canada's west coast.
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260524010006855