Is this September 17th statement just virtue signaling? Will it ever see the light of day? Currently, Canada can only crew two submarines.
Canada has the largest coastline in the world, and it is essential that the RCN be equipped with superior underwater surveillance capability to maintain our country’s security and sovereignty. The RCN’s current Victoria-class submarine fleet is scheduled to be decommissioned in the mid-2030s. As such, replacement vessels are needed so that Canada can continue meet its defense objectives and maintain its maritime capabilities.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), on behalf of the Department of National Defence (DND), has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to industry stakeholders to gain further information on the availability of submarines that are currently in service or in production, and the industry’s capability and capacity to build and deliver up to 12 submarines to Canada.
In addition to the RFI, as part of this procurement process, Canada continues to meet with officials from allied and partner countries, and companies and navies in Europe and Asia that currently have, or are in the process of, building submarines that may meet Canada’s requirements.
Respondents are encouraged to provide their initial feedback by November 18, 2024. This feedback will also help inform the procurement process moving forward.
To avoid any gaps in Canadian submarine capabilities, Canada anticipates a contract award by 2028, with the delivery of the first replacement submarine no later than 2035.
The Canadian Navy Victoria-class long-range patrol submarine HMCS Corner Brook pulls out of her berthing at Submarine Base New London after a five-day port visit May 20, 2009. US Navy photo.