Canadian Patrol Submarine Plans Announced
By Dan Middlemiss, 11 July 2024
At the NATO Summit in Washington, MND Bill Blair announced early plans to proceed with a project to replace the navy’s current submarine fleet.[1]
Some key points made by MND Blair and senior government officials include:
- up to 12 boats
- conventionally powered
- under-ice capable
- to be procured outside the NSS
- but Ottawa is seeking a Canadian sustainment component
- an RFI could be issued in the fall 2024
- no details about costs, numbers, or delivery schedules
The announcement does not move the project much beyond the ‘explore options’ caveat in the recent Defence Policy Update. Moreover, the initiative appears to be a political move to counter external criticism of Canada's ‘shameful’ defence spending status in NATO.
David Perry, a respected Canadian defence expert, “estimated that the full cost of acquiring up to 12 submarines would be up to $120-billion, and that it would take up to 15 years for the first of the new submarines to be operational.”
There was no indication of how the RCN will find crews for these boats.
It will be interesting to see the extent to which Ottawa will be able to resist industry efforts to ‘Canadianize’ and add ‘Canadian content’ to whatever design is ultimately selected.
Post continues on the Broadsides Forum
Trending now:
- Canadian Patrol Submarine Plans Announced
- Canadian Military Budget Projections for Military Equipment
- River-Class Destroyers
- Australia Cuts First Steel on Hunter Class Frigate
- Canada Confronts Russia in Cuba
- An Updated Kingston-class Replacement Pitch
- SAAB, Subs and Timelines
- Seaspan Polar Class 2 Heavy Icebreaker and Hanwha Ocean Submarine Team-ups
- Design Fiddling Stalls Constellation-class Frigate Program
- Attempting the Impossible?
- Sweden, SAAB, and Defence
- A CAF Military Procurement 'Revolution' is Desperately Needed, Full Stop!
- Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship, National Shipbuilding Strategy
- CNR sponsors: visit page
Latest Issue: Spring 2024
Volume 20, Number 1 (2024)
This spring issue marks 20 years of producing Canadian Naval Review. How time flies! It seems like just yesterday we started this journey – but it’s been 20 years and we still haven’t run out of interesting things to discuss in CNR. We’re a bit biased, but we think this issue is another great one. Prepare to be amazed and delighted!
In this issue, we’re very pleased to present an interview with Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz that took place at the end of January. CNR Editor Ann Griffiths sat down and had a great chat with the Admiral, discussing everything from budgets to RCN priorities to personnel to assets to tampons in the men’s washrooms.
Our first article, “A Case Study on the Creation and Use of a Bridge Simulator,” is an inspiring story about what you can do if you have the determination, energy and enthusiasm to do it. Read this and you can learn about building your own simulated bridge simulator for $30,000! This article goes well with the Editorial for this issue which is also about bridge simulators. Our next article is a nod to the 100th birthday of the RCAF, entitled “The Influence of the RCAF on the RCN (Air Branch).” The article examines the historic interaction – which was not always amicable – and development of the relations between the RCN and RCAF.
In this issue we also have a smorgasbord of tasty Making Wave commentaries. We learn about: RCN recruitment and suggestions for its improvement; how utilizing uncrewed vehicles may be more challenging for Canada than for other countries; the problems of procurement; a suggestion that Canada should join the AUKUS submarine deal; and the future prospects of naval task groups as the CSCs are built. As well, we have our usual columns. We know what Russia is doing in its West (i.e., invading/attacking Ukraine!), but what about the territories on its Pacific coast? And we learn that, despite recent news of some extra funding for the military, Canada is nonetheless in NATO’s ‘quadrant of shame.’
Naturally, there are amazing photos to illustrate everything! We have no doubt that you will find this issue insightful and engaging. See the Table of Contents below.
If you don’t have a subscription yet, you should get one so you don’t miss anything.
Click through to check out the table of contents and download!
CNR resources
- Previous Issues
- CNR Archives (2005-2023)
- Subject Index for CNR Articles
- Broadsides Forum - Join the Discussion
- Submissions to Canadian Naval Review
- Subscriptions - unlock access to all CNR materials
- Sponsor page
- Book Reviews
- Free CNR articles and PDF downloads
- Follow CNR on X (Twitter)
- Donate to CNR
- Special offer
Read more: CNR Archives (60+ magazines in PDF) and Subject Index (600+ articles)
Looking for Books about Maritime Matters?
Over the last 15 years, Canadian Naval Review has published over 180 book reviews. These books cover a variety of topics but they all relate to maritime matters, history, or security and defence at sea. This is an amazing resource. Go through the list of reviews, pick out a few books that look interesting, read the reviews, and then order the books from your nearest bookstore or from the publisher. See the list of book reviews at https://www.navalreview.ca/book-reviews/