Former Canadian Navy officer and Lockheed exec joins Hanwha Ocean

Hanwha Defence Canada CEO Glenn Copeland / Courtesy of Hanwha Ocean

Hanwha Ocean said Wednesday that former Lockheed Martin Canada General Manager Glenn Copeland, who served as a Royal Canadian Navy officer for 22 years, has been appointed the inaugural CEO of Hanwha Defence Canada, the shipbuilder’s new office in Ottawa.

His appointment marks the latest effort by Hanwha Ocean in its ongoing competition with Germany’s TKMS to secure an order for 12 submarines worth 60 billion Canadian dollars ($43 billion) with the Canadian government.

“Copeland will lead Hanwha Ocean’s expansion in Canada, overseeing defense and naval business activities as the company advances its participation in the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP),” Hanwha Ocean said in a press release.

“His appointment reflects Hanwha’s strategy of embedding experienced local leadership as it deepens long-term industrial and defense cooperation with Canada, reinforcing its commitment not only to the CPSP but also to sustained engagement with Canada’s naval, industrial and security communities.”

While at Lockheed Martin, Copeland was involved in major programs including modernization of the Halifax-class frigate and export of the CMS-330 combat management system.

“I am honored to take on this role at a pivotal moment for Canada’s naval defense,” he said. “Hanwha brings proven expertise in defense and shipbuilding, and I believe the company is well positioned to make a lasting contribution to the Royal Canadian Navy and to Canada’s wider defense industrial base.”

According to Canadian news outlets, Hanwha Ocean also signed a memorandum of understanding with Canadian energy developer Fermeuse Energy to participate in a liquefied natural gas project in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The shipbuilder is expected to provide engineering, financing and logistics for the project. Its participation is seen as another effort by the company to win favor with the Canadian government in securing the submarine deal, which if successful would mark the largest single contract in Korea’s defense export history.