Canada selects German consortium for 12 new submarines

Canada has awarded a multibillion‑dollar defence contract to a German consortium led by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), selecting it over a South Korean competitor to build a dozen new submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the decision on Monday, noting that the deal, one of the nation’s largest ever defence procurements, will modernise Canada’s underwater fleet and reinforce its NATO commitments ahead of the alliance’s summit later this week.

The contract calls for the construction of twelve advanced diesel‑electric submarines to replace an aging inventory of second‑hand vessels, many of which are currently undergoing maintenance. The new boats are expected to enhance Canada’s maritime security and interoperability with NATO partners, supporting joint operations and patrols in the Atlantic and Arctic regions. The government anticipates that delivery of the submarines will begin in the early 2030s, marking a significant step toward bolstering the country’s defence capabilities and deepening its strategic ties within the alliance.