By David Dunlop, 24 July 2023
CDA Institute has developed a "Force Deployment Series" a second roundtable by SMEs national discussion on defence policy with regard to sustaining Canada's Future Submarine Capability. Topics covered during the event included the operational and strategic value of submarines to the Royal Canadian Navy in a changing security environment, high-level requirements and caveats for the Victoria-class replacement, Canadian procurement timelines contrasted with the Victoria-class lifespan, the Canadian political environment in the era of a National Shipbuilding Strategy, and the implications of potential submarine designers/builders’ offerings and challenges. This CDA report summarizes the discussions held during the event, providing a comprehensive overview of the key points made by the invited experts. The report aims to promote better understanding and informed debate about the challenges associated with sustaining this critical capability for Canadians. This report included: 1) Introduction/Executive Summary; 2) Points of Consensus/ Contention; 3) The Case for Submarines including; Value of Submarines for Canada-International Security Environment; Obstacles; Strategic Requirements; Design Considerations and Conclusions. Although most SMEs looked at future AIP/LIB SSK considerations, it was interesting that the SSN option was not fully dismissed. An interesting read in PDF format. See below:
7 thoughts on “CDA Institute Analysis on Canada’s Future Submarine Capability”
Hi David,
A quick rant about building capability. We cannot build these platforms in Canada and we bemoan this fact, with these SME panels discussing buying from overseas. Yet I see no discussion of training the workforce we need to eventually build the capabilities we need.
The extent of the federal government’s investment in the needed skilled trades appears to be to “promote, support, facilitate, encourage…” https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2022/01/government-of-canada-investments-in-the-skilled-trades.html
All passive undertakings meant to break down barriers. Ok, but no concrete actions to build say 10 trade schools with enrollment of 1000 per year over the next 8 years. Now that would give the shipyards plenty of graduates just in time for CSC build and submarines and whatever else is needed.
Regards
Hello “Curious Civilian”. Cannot disagree with everything you have expressed. Yes, these future submarines (no matter which class & country is chosen), must be built in that country and retrofitted here in Canada. The Hybrid design is the way we should go, for now. It would be great if Canada could build whatever design is finally chosen, but we have lost that submarine build expertise long ago. As submarines are a very specific build, Canada must start a training program to identify what “specific” skill-sets are required to start our own submarine build program, for our next generation of boats. Also these future submarine uses a different kind of steel than most other vessel builds. The US probably has the best steel for their SNN sub builds, however Germany has the best steel for their AIP/LIB submarine builds. There are however some skill-sets that Canada already has such as knowledgeable ship “pipe-fitters” and steel ship builders that could be utilized in the “out of country” ship build. This would bring back the knowledge required down the line for our own Sub builds. The government Apprentiship Program is a good start and should be encouraged towards the submarine build (either men or women) and you are correct in that more “trade schools” must be started soon.
In all honesty Canada has never built a submarine, it is indeed a very niche build program and you need to keep orders rolling on the production line to maintain workforce skill set, sadly this is where it all comes undone for Canada.
If Canada wished to build its own boats then you would have to order around 12 boats to hit the water every 2 or 3 years so there’s enough time lapse between finishing up the last 2 boats and starting the next class.
One of the very best nations I have ever seen undertake such a tasking is Japan and they have 22 boats in current service, the maintaining production line is key to cost effective solution in acquiring capability and a good point in case to look at is Australia.
When you look at the Collins class program you can see they literally finished the last boat then no work for 25 years that is what will happen in Canada so the best option would be to buy overseas where the manufacturer has a constant line.
Hello Blair. In fact Canada has in the past built submarines for Britain during WW1 but has sadly lost that expertise long ago. Yes, any future subs must be built for Canada offshore, I suspect in one of a few countries; either Germany, Japan, France or ROK.
Hello,
Note that Germany gave up access to cheap gas energy sources and is in the process of destroying its industrial base, and France is losing access to cheap uranium from its colonial source. With increasing energy costs, I would expect all production costs to increase significantly for both of these countries.
Canada is a net producer of energy products and has immense potential for its surplus; something to consider in the future when costing out procurement.
Regards
Yes David I did miss that my mistake, however in terms of modern procurement we simply don’t have the skilled workforce nor the numbers to order that can maintain a seamless production line with research and development.
Take the Japanese program, they do incremental updates into new classes rather than radical large expensive programs, this keeps their workforce trained and employed as there is always a boat being built.
In my opinion the Japanese method from a logistics perspective is one of the best, if not the best, systems I have ever come across, of course they run into issues and problems but on the whole it’s cost effective.
My own inclination is that it will come down to either the Korean KSIII or the German Type 212CD-E
Well said. Thank you. Let us focus our shipbuilding where it can be sustained.