Prime Minister Mark Carney announced today that Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has been selected as the preferred supplier to begin negotiations for Canada's next fleet of submarines. The German shipbuilder's Type 212CD submarines were chosen over South Korea's Hanwha Ocean in a highly competitive bid process. This decision marks a significant moment for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), as it procures newly built submarines for the first time in over 60 years.
The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) aims to acquire up to 12 submarines to replace the aging Victoria-class fleet, which has been plagued by technical issues and lengthy maintenance periods. The new submarines are expected to enhance Canada's capabilities in Arctic patrol, undersea surveillance, and support for special forces operations, while also being fully NATO-interoperable. The first four submarines are anticipated to be delivered by 2034, ahead of the planned retirement of the current fleet.
This multibillion-dollar project is being touted as the largest defence procurement in Canadian history, with estimates suggesting the overall program, including lifetime maintenance, could exceed $100 billion. Prime Minister Carney highlighted the project's potential to bolster Canadian industrial capacity, create tens of thousands of jobs, and generate significant economic benefits across the country. The partnership with TKMS, which also includes Germany and Norway, is expected to strengthen Canada's security, deepen its ties with key allies, and enhance its operational readiness in a changing global landscape. The federal government will now enter into contract negotiations with TKMS, a process expected to take several months, with contracting to conclude no later than the end of 2027.
