Canada narrows choice for new submarines to German, South Korean bidders

[Dr Strangelove]

Carney to choose Germany and Norway to build

[Dr Strangelove]

Fleet Size & Scope: Canada plans to acquire up to 12 diesel-electric attack submarines (0:13–0:17).
Project Value: The project has an estimated lifetime value of $100 billion CAD, which includes approximately $20–$30 billion for construction, plus decades of maintenance, training, and operational support (0:23–0:36).
The Competition: The TKMS 212CD was selected over the South Korean KSS-III design from Hanwha, following a thorough assessment where both platforms met the Navy's operational requirements (0:38–0:45).
Industrial Benefits: A deciding factor in the selection was the industrial package offered by TKMS, which includes infrastructure development in Churchill, Manitoba, support for a Canadian space launch capability, and an estimated 650,000 job-years of employment over the life of the program (0:47–1:04).
Strategic Importance:
This decision underscores Canada's commitment to strengthening defense ties with European NATO allies (1:07–1:14). It coincides with Canada's growing role in European security, further highlighted by the nation being selected to host the European Union’s new defense security and resilience bank (1:17–1:27). While construction will take time, this procurement is positioned as one of the most significant in Canadian history, intended to shape the Navy's underwater capabilities for the next 40 years (1:29–1:35).

This is a huge win!

[Dr Strangelove]

https://www.youtube.com/live/4x6kQqy91G ... wgd7CjsuQz

Canada is designating German manufacturer TKMS as the preferred supplier for our next fleet of submarines.

This will be the largest defence procurement in our nation’s history and it will have enormous, lasting benefits for Canadian industries and workers. Together with our German and Norwegian Allies, we will build at speed and scale to expand our strategic capabilities and defend our sovereignty.

We will build this fleet to build Canada strong.

[testerone]

Posting about the subs on another forum I mentioned the choice had narrowed between Korean and German subs.
One of the resident MAGAts had been berating Canada for not buying US subs replied with What would Germany know about submarines?

[al_keda]

The US didn't offer diesel/electric subs that met our needs. They took themselves out of the running.

[Dr Strangelove]

Propulsion & Endurance: The submarine utilizes a sophisticated Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system featuring Siemens proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, allowing for silent operation and an endurance of up to 41 days without needing to surface (4:36, 7:32-9:28, 28:56). It is capable of "boost" speeds exceeding 20 knots by combining fuel cells with lead-acid batteries (5:23-5:40, 29:31).
Advanced Combat System: It is equipped with the new Orca combat management system, which integrates sensors and weapons across NATO networks, allowing for modular upgrades and shared target data (2:01-2:14, 10:32-11:40).
Weapon Systems:
Torpedoes: Features four 53 cm tubes capable of firing the DM2 A4 heavyweight torpedo and the advanced Sea Spider anti-torpedo torpedo for hard-kill defense (1:25-1:48, 2:51-3:16, 26:04-26:48).
Missiles: The sub is designed to carry the Interactive Defense Air System (IDAS) for anti-air defense (1:50-1:58, 18:46-21:56), the Naval Strike Missile for anti-ship strikes, and the future 3SM Turfing supersonic strike missile, which promises ranges of 800-1,000 km at speeds up to Mach 3 (3:01-3:31, 21:58-24:40).
Sensor Suite: Includes the Kongsberg SA9510 mine avoidance sonar, advanced echo sounders, and Hensoldt optronic masts (MS150 and MS300) that serve as high-tech, non-penetrating replacements for traditional periscopes (3:46-4:18, 6:43-7:00, 11:41-17:42).
Strategic Importance:

The Type 212 CD is significantly larger than its predecessor, the 212 Alpha, to accommodate its increased endurance and sensor payload (5:07, 28:18-28:48). The host argues that this vessel represents the new standard for conventional submarines in NATO, offering nuclear-like endurance for intelligence gathering and high-end strike capabilities (29:54-30:35).


Top of the line.

[Dr Strangelove]

Program Scope: The project is described as the largest military acquisition in Canadian history, with an estimated lifetime cost of $100 billion and an upfront construction cost between $20 and $30 billion (0:33-1:21).
The Selection: Canada opted for the TKMS 212CD over the South Korean Hanwha KSS-III. While both met operational requirements, the TKMS proposal included a stronger industrial benefits package (2:17-2:28).
Industrial Benefits: The winning bid includes infrastructure development in Churchill, Manitoba, support for a Canadian space launch capability, and the promise of 650,000 job-years of employment (2:31-2:46).
Geopolitical Signaling: The announcement, timed with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s travel to a NATO summit, is framed as a strategic commitment to strengthening ties with European allies (2:57-3:17).
Future Outlook:

Timeline: Contract negotiations are expected to lead to a signed deal by 2027, with the first two submarines aimed for delivery by 2033 (1:37-1:50).
Maintaining Indo-Pacific Ties: The video concludes by suggesting that to balance its closer alignment with Europe and maintain its Indo-Pacific strategy, Canada should consider fast-tracking other military purchases, such as Hanwha’s K9 self-propelled howitzers, to address critical gaps in the Canadian Army’s capabilities (3:23-4:46).