Korea is ramping up efforts to secure Canada’s submarine procurement project, with Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Minister Lee Yong-cheol saying the outcome remains too close to call. “It is difficult to say at this point whether we will win or lose,” Lee said during a press briefing Thursday. Still, he emphasized the strategic importance of the project, noting that a successful bid could significantly elevate Korea’s position in the global defense market. “If we secure the deal, it could fundamentally change the landscape of Korea’s defense industry,” he said. Canada is seeking to replace its aging submarine fleet with up to 12 next-generation vessels under a project estimated at around 60 billion Canadian dollars ($43.7 billion). Korea and Germany have emerged as the leading contenders, with Berlin proposing an industrial package that combines submarine sales with automotive and battery investments, in line with Ottawa’s push to attract broader manufacturing investment alongside defense contracts. The Canadian submarine program is widely regarded as a k