Government of Canada advances to next step in Canadian Patrol Submarine Project procurement
Government of Canada Advances Canadian Patrol Submarine Project Procurement for National Security and Arctic Sovereignty
Canada’s under-ice surveillance and deterrence capabilities hinge on modern conventionally-powered submarines as the Victoria-class fleet nears obsolescence. This strategic procurement step promises to bolster national security, reinforce Arctic sovereignty, and renew Royal Canadian Navy readiness. In this article, we examine why Canada is replacing its current submarines, unpack the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project’s objectives and capabilities, profile the shortlisted suppliers, outline the timeline and milestones, explain alignment with the defence policy Our North, Strong and Free, detail economic benefits for domestic industry, and explore the technical requirements for Arctic operations.
Why Is Canada Replacing the Victoria-Class Submarine Fleet?
Canada is replacing its aging Victoria-class submarines to restore submerged endurance, improve stealth, and reduce maintenance burdens that currently limit patrol durations across the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans.
What Are the Limitations of the Aging Victoria-Class Submarines?
The Victoria-class submarines, acquired in the late 1990s and early 2000s, face critical endurance and reliability issues that undermine operational readiness.
- Limited submerged range due to diesel-electric propulsion without air-independent capability
- Frequent docking cycles for engine overhauls and hull maintenance
- Outdated sensor suites restricting detection ranges in contested waters
These factors combine to shorten patrol windows and amplify lifecycle costs, setting the stage for a modern replacement with enhanced mission persistence.
How Will New Submarines Address Operational and Maintenance Challenges?
Next-generation Canadian Patrol Submarines will leverage modular systems and advanced diagnostics to streamline upkeep and maximize availability.
- Air-independent propulsion (AIP) modules for prolonged submerged endurance
- Condition-based monitoring sensors to predict maintenance needs
- Standardized spare-parts architecture across hulls and equipment
By cutting downtime and simplifying crew training requirements, these features will extend patrol cycles and optimize defence spending before we examine the strategic threats driving this renewal.
What Are the Strategic Threats Driving Submarine Replacement?
Evolving maritime risks demand under-ice deterrence and covert surveillance in Canada’s northern waters.
- Rising great-power activity near the Northwest Passage increases the risk of unauthorized transits.
- Expanded submarine fleets of peer navies challenge undersea domain awareness.
- Growing interest in Arctic resource extraction requires enforcement assets beneath polar ice.
Securing Canada’s sovereignty in a warming Arctic sets the context for the CPSP’s core objectives and capabilities.
What Are the Core Objectives and Capabilities of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project?
The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) will procure up to 8 under-ice capable, conventionally-powered submarines by the mid-2030s to strengthen national defence, uphold Arctic sovereignty and integrate with NATO allied operations through advanced stealth and persistence.
How Does the CPSP Enhance Canada’s National Security and Arctic Sovereignty?
By deploying submarines with extended Arctic deployment profiles, reinforced hulls and secure allied communications, the CPSP will:
- Detect and deter unauthorized vessels beneath polar ice caps
- Project a continuous undersea presence to reinforce territorial claims
- Share real-time sensor data with NATO partners for collective defence
These capabilities directly map to sovereign control and force posture in the High North while preparing for allied interoperability.
What Are the Required Technical Features of the New Submarines?
Key design attributes balance stealth, lethality and Arctic endurance for the Royal Canadian Navy’s mission requirements.
How Will the CPSP Support Maritime Domain Awareness Across Canada’s Three Oceans?
The CPSP’s sensor suites and communication networks will integrate with national surveillance systems to provide a unified maritime common operating picture.
- Submarine-to-satellite data links for instantaneous threat reporting
- Interoperable command nodes in Halifax, Vancouver and Iqaluit
- Collaborative undersea mapping to inform ice-navigation corridors
This networked approach enhances situational awareness from the Pacific through the Atlantic and into Arctic passages, reinforcing defence policy goals.
Who Are the Qualified Suppliers for Canada’s New Submarine Fleet?
Public Services and Procurement Canada has shortlisted ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. as qualified suppliers following rigorous technical and industrial analysis.
What Are the Profiles of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Hanwha Ocean?
ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (Germany)
ThyssenKrupp leverages decades of conventional submarine design expertise, notably with its Type 212CD program featuring air-independent propulsion and modular mission bays suited for extreme environments.
Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. (South Korea)
Hanwha Ocean combines advanced Korean submarine technology in its KSS-III class with domestic industrial partnerships to deliver robust under-ice performance and integrated weapons systems.
How Do the TKMS 212CD and Hanwha KSS-III Submarines Meet Canada’s Requirements?
Below is a side-by-side comparison of their core attributes.
What Is the Procurement Process Involving These Suppliers?
Canada’s procurement unfolds in defined phases to ensure accountable decision-making and value for taxpayers.
- Request for Information (RFI) to validate industrial capabilities
- Request for Proposal (RFP) to evaluate detailed designs and cost breakdowns
- Technical review panels assess performance against CPSP criteria
- Negotiation of industrial and technology transfer commitments
- Contract award by 2028, followed by design finalization and construction
This structure reinforces transparency while advancing fleet modernization.
What Is the Timeline and Key Milestones for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project?
The CPSP schedule spans from preliminary market consultations to the delivery of the first submarine in the mid-2030s, marking critical procurement phases and design reviews.
When Will Contracts Be Awarded and Submarines Delivered?
Contracts are expected to be awarded by 2028, with keel laying in 2029, sea trials beginning in 2033 and initial operational capability achieved by 2035.
What Are the Major Phases from Request for Information to Fleet Modernization?
- Market engagement and RFI release (2021–2022)
- RFP issuance and bid evaluations (2023–2025)
- Technical design reviews and industrial preparations (2026–2028)
- Construction, assembly and outfitting (2029–2033)
- Trials, crew certification and commissioning (2034–2035)
How Will Progress Be Monitored and Reported?
Ongoing oversight is provided by Public Services and Procurement Canada and the Department of National Defence through:
- Quarterly status reports to Treasury Board and Parliament
- Industry performance reviews tied to key deliverables
- Milestone-based payments contingent on validation tests
- Annual defence capability updates in Canada’s defence policy reports
This layered governance ensures accountability and milestone transparency.
How Does the CPSP Align with Canada’s Defence Policy ‘Our North, Strong and Free’?
Aligned with Our North, Strong and Free, the CPSP advances policy objectives by reinforcing Arctic sovereignty, meeting allied burden-sharing commitments, and modernizing the Royal Canadian Navy’s undersea capability.
What Are the Policy Goals Supporting the CPSP?
- Safeguarding northern approaches and economic interests
- Contributing to NATO readiness and collective deterrence
- Sustaining a mobile, technology-driven naval force
How Does the Project Reflect Canada’s Federal Defence Spending Priorities?
The CPSP represents one of Canada’s largest single defence investments, supporting the government’s commitment to reach 1.4 percent of GDP in defence spending by 2026-27 and driving targeted industrial benefits across regions.
What Role Does the Royal Canadian Navy Play in This Defence Strategy?
The Royal Canadian Navy leads force posture planning, crew training and integration of the new submarines into Canada’s maritime task groups, ensuring alignment with multi-domain operations and allied exercises.
What Economic Benefits Will the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project Bring to Canadian Industry?
How Will the CPSP Create Jobs and Support Regional Economies?
- Create over 5,000 direct skilled-trade and engineering roles nationwide
- Establish centre-of-excellence facilities for submarine maintenance in Quebec and British Columbia
- Spur supply-chain growth in specialty steel, composite materials and electronics
What Are the Opportunities for Technology Transfer and Industrial Participation?
- Intellectual property licensing for propulsion and sonar systems
- Co-development of unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) integration
- Joint R&D programs in Arctic hull coatings and sensor miniaturization
How Will Canadian Defence Industry Strengthen Through This Procurement?
- Build local expertise in complex marine systems engineering
- Attract foreign direct investment tied to advanced naval technologies
- Position Canada as a center of excellence in Arctic undersea operations
What Are the Technical Requirements for Arctic Operations and Under-Ice Capability?
Why Is Arctic Deployability Critical for Canada’s New Submarines?
- Assert sovereignty over disputed northern passages
- Monitor resource-rich regions undergoing climate-driven access changes
- Respond rapidly to search-and-rescue or security incidents under ice
What Advanced Technologies Enable Under-Ice Navigation and Stealth?
- Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) enabling multi-week endurance
- High-resolution synthetic aperture sonar for ice-roof profiling
- Autonomous navigation algorithms for under-ice obstacle avoidance
How Will These Capabilities Enhance Canada’s Maritime Surveillance and Defence?
- Persistent detection of incursions across ice-choked waterways
- Covert ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) missions in contested zones
- Seamless integration with surface and airborne domain awareness platforms
Canada’s shift from Victoria-class to a modern under-ice capable submarine fleet marks a pivotal enhancement of national defence and Arctic control. By defining clear procurement milestones, engaging expert suppliers, and aligning with defence policy priorities, the CPSP ensures robust undersea deterrence across three oceans. The project’s economic dividends will fortify Canada’s industrial base while delivering cutting-edge capabilities to the Royal Canadian Navy. As the CPSP advances, Canada solidifies its commitment to sovereignty, allied partnerships and long-term maritime security.