Canada kicks off submarine tender after survey of global vendors

The Canadian military has formally begun its efforts to acquire a fleet of up to 12 conventionally powered submarines.

The Canadian government has requested submarine builders submit information on their boats by Nov. 18 in what is seen as a first step in the eventual purchase.

Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair issued a statement Sept. 16 noting that submarines are crucial to maintaining the country’s sovereignty. “As an Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific nation with the world’s longest coastline, Canada needs a new fleet of submarines,” Blair said.

The current fleet of Victoria-class submarines operated by the Royal Canadian Navy will be decommissioned in the mid-2030s, he added.

“To avoid any gap in Canadian submarine capabilities, Canada anticipates a contract award by 2028 with the delivery of the first replacement submarine no later than 2035,” Blair noted in his message.

In a statement also released Sept. 16 on X, Blair said the purchase would involve acquiring up to 12 conventionally-powered, under-ice capable submarines. No cost figures were released at this time.

Canada is open to submarines that are currently in service or in production.

The submarines would be capable of conducting “precision attacks” and would equipped with heavyweight torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and long-range precision land attack missiles, according to the initial information provided to industry.

Blair said the request for information will also open the door for Canadian industry on in-service support, training and infrastructure for the new fleet. Canada does not build its own submarines so any boats will be constructed in another nation.

Blair originally highlighted Canada’s interest in new submarines on July 10 at the NATO summit in Washington but did not provide specific details at that time. Canadian government officials, however, have suggested that the submarine purchase could help Canada meet its goal of spending at least 2% of GDP on defense as required by NATO. Canada has been under increasing pressure from its allies to do more on defense.

To prepare for the acquisition the Royal Canadian Navy had already created the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), which was gathering information, and conducting an analysis of potential submarines capable of meeting the service’s requirements.

In 2023 the CPSP project team conducted initial engagements and fact finding with countries, companies, and navies that currently have or are in the process of building submarines that meet Canada’s needs. The team has engaged with France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Spain, and Sweden.

The request for information will allow Canada to receive specific information it needs to put together a bid package and supporting documents for the future purchase.

The four Victoria-class boats, originally known as the Upholder-class, were purchased second-hand from the U.K. Royal Navy. The first three Victoria-class submarines were accepted into Royal Canadian Navy service between 2000 and 2003. The fourth submarine suffered a fire in transit to Canada in 2004, which delayed its acceptance into RCN service until 2015.

The submarines are currently undergoing various improvements and upgrades to keep them operating until the mid to late 2030s.