Canada has chosen Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for its next-generation submarine program, which could involve up to 12 vessels. South Korea's Hanwha Ocean competed until the end but did not secure the contract.
On July 6, local time, Canadian officials announced TKMS as the preferred bidder for the new submarine acquisition project, according to reports from Reuters and The Guardian.
TKMS proposed the 212CD class diesel-electric submarine, which is being jointly developed by Germany and Norway. Hanwha Ocean had been promoting its KSS-III Batch-II submarine in the competition.
This project aims to replace Canada's aging Victoria-class submarines. Canada acquired four used Victoria-class submarines from the UK in 1998, but frequent maintenance issues and low operational availability have raised concerns about capability gaps. The new submarines are expected to enhance operations in the Arctic and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Canada's decision to select TKMS is believed to be influenced by the interoperability among NATO member countries and the expansion of European defense cooperation. The 212CD class submarines are designed to be non-nuclear and feature low detectability due to the use of non-magnetic steel and stealth technology.
Hanwha Ocean emphasized its quick delivery timeline and local industry collaboration, stating it could deliver the first submarine by 2032 and supply four by 2035, which would help mitigate Canada's capability gap.
However, this selection does not finalize the contract. The Canadian government and TKMS will need to negotiate details regarding price, delivery timelines, local industry participation, and long-term maintenance and operational support. Reports suggest that it may take considerable time to finalize the contract.
For Hanwha Ocean, this outcome could pose challenges for its global submarine export strategy. The Canadian project, with a potential order of up to 12 submarines, held significant symbolic value as a gateway to the NATO naval market. Hanwha Ocean is expected to continue pursuing other international submarine projects, leveraging the long-range capabilities and competitive delivery timelines of the KSS-III.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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