Through an official statement published on August 26, the Royal Canadian Navy announced that it has already narrowed down the list of designs for its new attack submarine to just two candidates: the German-built Type 212/214 or the South Korean-built KSS-III. This development marks an important step for the program, which aims to replace the aging Victoria-class submarines acquired in the 1990s. The project envisions the acquisition of a dozen vessels with an investment of around €45 billion.
Expanding on the details, the decision has already been confirmed by both the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, and the Secretary of State, Joël Lightbound and Stephen Fuhr, respectively. Both confirmed that the only two manufacturers still competing in the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) are the German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean Co. Prior to this announcement, the list also included Sweden’s Saab, France’s Naval Group, and Spain’s Navantia, the latter of which was recently excluded from India’s Project 75(I).
Quoting some official statements, Secretary Fuhr noted: “The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project will safeguard Canada’s sovereignty and strengthen alliances with our partners by delivering next-generation submarines to the Royal Canadian Navy. These advanced submarines will provide our Navy with the confidence and capabilities needed to effectively respond to emerging threats, while also creating opportunities for Canadian industry. The identification of TKMS and Hanwha as qualified suppliers marks an important step toward acquiring this critical capability.”
Looking ahead, Ottawa will seek to engage both manufacturers so they can outline their final proposals, while also maintaining dialogue with allied nations to take into account lessons learned from their own acquisition projects. One of the key factors under consideration, beyond the technical characteristics of the competing submarines, is the Canadian government’s emphasis on involving the local industry in the construction and long-term maintenance of the fleet.
From a strategic standpoint, the acquisition stands as one of Canada’s most significant defense procurements—not only for the modernization of its submarine fleet, but also for its planned expansion. This is particularly relevant considering Canada’s extensive coastlines and the growing need to strengthen its presence in the Arctic, where melting ice is opening up new navigable routes, turning the region into a new arena of geopolitical competition.
As Minister Lightbound expressed: “Diversifying our trade alliances is crucial to ensuring that Canada is prepared to meet evolving global circumstances. The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, in collaboration with TKMS and Hanwha as two qualified suppliers, represents an opportunity to work with our allies and strengthen our defense industrial base. This is a crucial step in providing the Royal Canadian Navy with next-generation capabilities to protect our sovereignty and support our allies.”
Finally, regarding delivery timelines, Canada expects to receive its first new submarines by the mid-2030s. This aspect will also be critical, as the service life of the Victoria-class submarines is set to end no later than the end of the next decade, and the country is determined to avoid potential capability gaps.
Images used for illustrative purposes
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