Canada to select submarine supplier for up to 12 new Arctic‑capable vessels

The Liberal government is nearing the end of a two‑year procurement to replace its aging Victoria‑class submarines with a fleet of up to 12 modern diesel‑electric boats. The decision, expected by the end of the month and just before the NATO summit in Ankara, will choose between South Korea’s Hanwha (KSS‑III) and Germany’s TKMS (212CD). The contract is worth tens of billions of dollars.

Hanwha has mounted an unprecedented advertising campaign across Canada, prompting rival TKMS CEO Oliver Burkhard to remark, “This is nuts, honestly.” Both designs feature Air‑Independent Propulsion, hydrogen fuel cells and lithium‑ion batteries, giving them weeks‑long submerged endurance. Former navy commander Mark Norman called the range “like the Toyota Prius of submarines.”

Canadian officials say the new subs will serve as a “massive deterrent” – Stephen Fuhr – and will patrol the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific to monitor Russian and Chinese activity. They will also be capable of launching long‑range precision missiles, raising questions about future missile sourcing and NATO‑wide integration.