Might Canada Choose a KSS-III Sized "DSME-3000" Without VLS?

Arising from SubMatts last future Canadian submarine article of June 19, 2026 was how much we still don't know.

Canada may be deciding next week or next month which of the two submarine types (built by TKMS and Hanwha Ocean) its going to chose. 

Even though a German/Norwegian TKMS Type 212CD has not evens been launched there is more certainty about its design (particularly it not having a Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) and its displacement being (right sidebar) 2,500 tonnes (surfaced) and 2,800 tonnes (submerged). Also (right sidebar) are two torpedo tube launched missiles under consideration - being the likely Tomahawk sized anti-ship and land attack NSM-SL,^[20] and likely Harpoon sized - for anti-ship only 3SM Tyrfing^[21][22]

It is about the other contender, the already launched South Korean KSS-III Batch-Is or Batch-IIs that there is more uncertainty. This is because Canadian officials and the military leadership have not officially stated whether Canada wants VLS in the KSS-III. 

VLS may weigh up to 800 tonnes. So VLS or no VLS is an issue impacting the KSS-III's whole design, including every buoyancy and trim calculation.

Complicating the KSS-III Batch-I or II picture are two never built "Export variants" of the KSS-III, that don't come with VLS. They are known as the DSME-2000 (2,000 tonnes) and DSME-3000 ("3,300 tonnes") (the KSS-III Batch-I is 3,305 tonnes (surfaced). In terms of length the DSME-3000 design is "83.5 meters" as is the KSS-III Batch-I.

If Canada picks a KSS-III it may be a Batch-I (with VLS) already operational or a DSME-3000 paper design - with the same dimensions, but without VLS. 

A KSS-III Batch-I or II with 6 or 10 VLS for missiles may be seen as an encumbrance given Canadian submarines' projected (?) standard mission profile of quiet surveillance. 

Comparing their structure and operation for degree of discretion relies on data that would only be available after an at sea runoff in 10 years time - data that would be, in any case, highly classified.

Comparing the DSME-3000 design's 3,300 tonnes and 83.5 metres exceeding the Type 212CD design's 2,500 tonne and 73 metres equals 800 tonnes and 10.5 metres greater. This may contribute to:

Improved speed, range and endurance of the DSME-3000; more diesel fuel; larger AIP machinery more AIP chemicals; more Lithium-ion Batteries; a greater electrical load for more powerful sensors and processing power; more food, space and comfort for a mixed gender crew; on longer patrols; and, more heavyweight torpedo tube fired shots (torpedoes, missiles, mines and UUVs and remotely operated seafloor sensor/IUSS maintenance robots).

But again, NATO alliance solidarity may trump South Korea's larger, likely more capable design. Canada might decide on the winning sub before NATO's July 7-8, 2026 NATO Summit, to be held in Ankara, Turkiye.