The Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) four Victoria-class submarines are showing their age, although they are expected to remain in service well into the 2030s. Mindful that the Canadian procurement process is typically a long and arduous process, the Department of National Defence (DND) has created the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) to look into replacements for the existing sub fleet.

It’s been reported that the RCN is readying itself for the purchase of up to 12 new submarines at a cost of $60 billion, according to National Defence and industry sources.

When it comes to buying new subs under the CPSP, the RCN needs “at least eight” and possibly 12, said VAdm Topshee, during an interview with CDR in 2023. “If you want to have a single line of tasking with a submarine in the Pacific, you need four boats based in Victoria,” he explained. “You want to guarantee the availability of a submarine to do anything you need it to do in the Atlantic, so you need four boats based in Halifax. [Then] if you also want to be able to do the Arctic, you better find a place to put [another] four boats between those two places.”

On September 15th, Canada officially released an RFI to industry for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. Respondents are encouraged to provide their initial feedback by November 18, 2024. This feedback will also help inform the procurement process moving forward.

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.

Possible contenders include:

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. These efforts are part of Canada’s plan to increase its defence spending ratio in relation to gross domestic product.

“As Canada’s Arctic is becoming increasingly accessible, Canada needs reliable maritime capabilities to maintain our country’s security. As such, we are committed to building a more agile, better-equipped military, while ensuring that these new contracts benefit our businesses, workers and Canadians. The procurement of new submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy will enhance our ability to monitor and detect threats along our coastlines, and protect Canadians.”

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Public Services and Procurement

“As an Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific nation with the world’s longest coastline, Canada needs a new fleet of submarines. The procurement of up to 12 conventionally-powered, under-ice capable submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy will enhance Canada’s ability to detect and deter maritime threats, control our maritime approaches, and project power and striking capabilities further from our shores. We look forward to working with industry partners to implement this crucial project, in support of the priorities outlined in Our North, Strong and Free.”

The Honourable Bill Blair
Minister of National Defence

“The government remains committed to providing the Royal Canadian Navy with the critical platforms and equipment needed to protect Canada’s sovereignty and security. We look forward to receiving feedback from interested parties as part of this engagement and seeing how they intend to contribute to Canada’s long-term economic growth and industrial resiliency.”

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

ADDITIONAL INFO

  • The Victoria-class submarines currently in use were commissioned between 1990 and 1993 and purchased used from the Royal Navy (UK) in 1998.
  • The first three Victoria-class submarines were accepted into RCN service between 2000 and 2003. The fourth submarine suffered a fire in transit to Canada in 2004, which delayed its acceptance into RCN service until 2015.
  • The current submarine fleet will remain operational into the mid-to late 2030s via the Victoria-class Modernization (VCM) project.
  • The RCN requires its first new submarine to be delivered by the mid-2030s to ensure transition between classes without capability gaps.
  • The RFI engages on other key elements including in-service support, training and infrastructure for the new submarine fleet, including how partnerships with Canadian industry could be leveraged to create economic benefits in Canada throughout the lifecycle of the fleet.
  • The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project was established in 2021 to inform timely governmental decision-making about a potential replacement class of submarines and avoid any gap in Canadian submarine capabilities.
  • Canada’s key submarine capability requirements will be stealth, lethality, persistence and Arctic deployability – meaning that the submarine must have extended range and endurance.
  • Canada’s new fleet will need to provide a unique combination of these requirements to ensure that Canada can detect, track, deter and, if necessary, defeat adversaries in all three of Canada’s oceans while contributing meaningfully alongside allies and enabling the Government of Canada to deploy this fleet abroad in support of our partners and allies.