The federal government has taken a major step toward replacing Canada’s aging submarine fleet, naming two international shipbuilders as qualified suppliers for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.
On Tuesday, Public Services and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound and Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr announced that Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems of Germany and South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. have been selected to move forward in the process.
The new fleet will replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s four Victoria-class submarines, which were purchased used from Britain in the late 1990s. Ottawa says the new vessels will be deployable in the Arctic, with extended range, endurance and stealth capabilities designed to protect Canadian sovereignty and support international security operations.
“Diversifying our trade partnerships is crucial to ensuring Canada meets the moment as global circumstances evolve,” Lightbound said. “The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, in collaboration with TKMS and Hanwha as the two qualified suppliers, is an opportunity to work with allies and strengthen our defence industrial capacity. This is a critical step toward equipping the Royal Canadian Navy with next-generation capabilities our Navy needs to protect our sovereignty and support our allies.”
Fuhr said the move will help safeguard Canada’s sovereignty while strengthening partnerships with allies. “The advanced submarines will give our Navy the confidence and capabilities to respond effectively to emerging threats, while creating opportunities for Canadian industry,” he said. “Identifying TKMS and Hanwha as the qualified suppliers marks an important step toward the procurement of this critical capability.”
The government intends to acquire up to 12 submarines under the program. Officials say the first vessel must be delivered by the mid-2030s to avoid a capability gap as the Victoria-class fleet ages out of service.
National Defence Minister David McGuinty said the project will ensure Canadian sailors have the tools they need. “Today, Canada takes another step toward acquiring next-generation submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy,” McGuinty said. “This is about defending our sovereignty, protecting Canadians, and ensuring our Armed Forces have the tools they need.”
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said the project will also create economic benefits at home. “This generational project will strengthen our economy, create well-paying jobs and build a more secure, resilient Canada,” she said.
The government established the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project in 2021 to begin planning for a replacement to the Victoria-class boats, three of which were accepted into service between 2000 and 2003. A fourth, damaged by fire during transit to Canada, did not become operational until 2015.
Ottawa says submarines remain a key part of a balanced naval fleet, providing Canada with the ability to detect, track and deter threats in all three oceans. The vessels also allow Canada to project power far from its shores in support of allies and international missions.
The procurement process included a request for information issued between September 2024 and February 2025. The government said it received 25 responses, which helped inform the decision to move ahead with the two qualified suppliers announced this week.
