Canada is a country with the largest coast in the world – a submerged observation capability is critical to security and control. As stated in the defense policy update, North, Strong, and Free, placed in April 2024, the Arctic is warming at 4 times the general average, making a massive and delicate region more available to foreign interference who possess increasing abilities and regional military ambitions. By 2050, the Arctic Ocean could convert to the most efficient shipping path between Europe and East Asia.
Canada’s Northwest Passage and the wider Arctic region are already more reachable, and competitors are looking for access, to transport routes, natural resources, critical reserves, and energy sources through more regular and steady presence and activity. They are exploring Arctic waters and the sea base, searching infrastructure, and gathering intelligence. In the maritime area, Russian submarines are searching widely across the Atlantic, Arctic, and Pacific Oceans and China is quickly growing its underwater fleet. In reply to these emerging security encounters, in Our North, Strong, and Free, the Government of Canada is dedicated to discovering options for revitalizing and expanding our submarine fleet, to allow Canada to distinguish and discourage threats and control maritime approaches. We made this pledge because Canada’s present fleet of 4 Victoria-class submarines is becoming gradually obsolete and costly to preserve. Canada needs an innovative fleet of submarines to defend our sovereignty from emerging security threats.
The Honorable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, publicized that Canada is taking the initial step towards the procurement of up to 12 conventionally-powered, under-ice capable submarines – and that Canada is initiating the procedure to officially engage industry on this purchase. This is a significant step in executing Canada’s rehabilitated vision for defense, Our North, Strong and Free. Through the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), Canada will obtain a larger, more efficient submarine fleet to permit the Royal Canadian Navy to stealthily detect and discourage maritime intimidations, control our maritime approaches, project power and striking ability further from our shores, and project a determined warning on all three coasts.
The Department of National Defence is presently in the process of consultation with manufacturers and possible partners, as part of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). An official Request for Data will be forwarded in the fall of 2024 to obtain additional information on the procurement, construction, delivery, and operative capabilities of possible bidders who can build submarines for Canada. This RFI will also pursue gaining material that will permit the creation of a submarine sustainment competence in Canada. This procurement will allow Canada to grow closer ties with its allies and associates and create a strategic partnership that not only transports the submarines themselves but generates a sturdy relationship between Canada and its strategic partner(s) to support staff training and the distribution of information. Canada’s key submarine ability necessities will be stealth, lethality, perseverance, and Arctic deployability – denotation that the submarine must have prolonged range and durability. Canada’s new fleet will need to deliver a unique blend of these requirements to guarantee that Canada can detect, track, deter, and if needed, defeat rivals in all three of Canada’s oceans while contributing meaningfully alongside associates and allowing the Government of Canada to position this fleet abroad in support of our associates and allies.
