As Militär Aktuell has already reported possible German submarines from TKMS for Canada in the room. It concerns up to twelve conventional submarines with air-independent propulsion (AIP) for the Canadian Navy – each with an estimated price tag of well over one billion euros, including accessories, armaments and logistical support. The two defense ministers of Germany and Norway were now in Ottawa. The type 212CD in question is a kind of joint venture development between the two countries, and the consortium could also produce these submarines for Canada directly in Canada.
Boris Pistorius and Tor Sandvik recently held talks with Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty and Industry Minister Mélanie Joly and gave a joint interview to Canadian television. Both emphasized the joint role as Canada’s NATO-partner in an increasingly tense Arctic region in view of Russia’s activities. There is speculation in Canada that a decision could possibly be made by the end of this year. With this in mind, here is a summary of the key arguments.
“This project will be better if Canada is involved”
When asked if Canada is obviously under time pressure, Pistorius replied: “They are definitely in a hurry and we all need to hurry up and speed up what we are doing.”
Norway’s Defense Minister Sandvik said in response to the question about the delivery schedule: “They are to be produced here for the time being. However, we both believe that this project will be better if Canada is involved. And from the discussions here, I understand that we can meet the delivery timeframe required for Canada from 2034.”
“We need to enter into partnerships”
Regarding Canada’s involvement in production, Sandvik said: “We need to enter into partnerships. We Norwegians are buying similar submarines to Germanyso that we can maintain them together. We can have common spare parts and supplies, we can train together and deploy together. If Canada joins, this will be the largest conventional submarine fleet in the world. This strengthens our NATO partnership and increases resilience in a crisis – or in the worst case scenario of war. Then we will have the spare parts, the ammunition, the crews and the maintenance structures we need. Because submarines need constant maintenance.”
He emphasized Canada’s importance: “Expanding this partnership with an ally like Canada, which like Norway is a maritime Arctic nation and knows this region just as well, is crucial – also because we are threatened by the same aggressor: Russia.”
“The advantage is simply on the table. It’s more interoperability, more interchangeability, but especially the common perspective on the North Atlantic, the High North and also the Indo-Pacific,” added Pistorius. “I mean, we are all facing the reality in the northern part of our world. Russia is remilitarizing the region, China is increasing its presence, so we have to face this together and take precautions against it together. So we have to deter and defend ourselves and if we do that together, with joint procurement, joint development of weapons and systems and everything, then we are strong enough to do that. We do this on the basis of the same values, the same perspectives and a wealth of experience in the field.”
Norwegians have their eye on Russian Northern Fleet
When asked about the threat situation, Tor Sandvik then spoke at length about the daily security policy reality in the Arctic neighborhood of Putin’s Russia: “We are NATO’s eyes and ears in the far north. NATO is a defensive alliance, not an aggressor – we would never attack anyone on our own initiative. Conversely, the threat comes primarily from Russia, currently visible in Ukraine (-> Latest news from the Ukraine war). Their heroic struggle is one for the security of the whole of Europe and the world. Because if Putin is successful in Ukraine, it will not only be dangerous for Europe, but also globally: for the rules-based order – and because he may then be able to reach out to other countries.”
“Yes, Putin has lost around one million soldiers as casualties and wounded, between 1,000 and 1,500 on the battlefield every day. But as Russia’s direct neighbor in the Arctic, we know that the Northern Fleet on the Kola Peninsula and in Polyarny is still intact. The strategic submarines with their nuclear weapons still exist. As do the attack and multi-purpose submarines that spy, threaten pipelines, internet cables and power connections on the seabed as well as our transatlantic supply and transport lines,” the Norwegian Defense Minister continued.
He emphasized the geostrategic importance of the region: “That is why we must deter Russia. We must keep a close eye on what is happening in the north and on the Kola Peninsula. The shortest route to North America, to Canada, is via the North Pole, including for the nuclear weapons on the Kola. We monitor this region 24/7 and we know that Russia is testing new missiles there, including hypersonic systems. They are testing nuclear-powered torpedoes and cruise missiles. That’s why we are in a strategic partnership with the United Kingdom and, of course, with Canada. Together we are investing in interoperability and forming a kind of family community that will stay together for decades and develop these systems together.”
Europas Abhängigkeit von China: Wie Seltene Erden zur Frage der Verteidigungsfähigkeit werden
The German Defense Minister added in response to the question of whether there was any sign of Russia or Putin giving in or willingness to ceasefire: “No, not at all. Unfortunately.” Pistorius recalled Putin’s speech at the Valdai Forum, which had received little attention in the West. There, Putin said that Russia was only at the beginning of a relentless battle, a battle for a new world order. “This is very serious. This is a clear announcement of where he wants to go and what he is aiming for. We have a real threat – and no willingness to negotiate. Every attempt, whether by Donald Trump or others, has failed because Putin didn’t want to. He wants to continue.”
“That’s why we need to increase the pressure by supporting Ukraine even more. Canadians are among the biggest supporters of Ukraine emotionally, mentally and materially. And we – Norway, Germany and other countries like Canada – should go even further,” concluded Pistorius.
Hint to Saab AEW&C Global Eye from Canada?
Minister Pistorius was also well prepared when addressing technical aspects and possible industrial policy significance: “First of all, only 41 percent of submarine production over the past 80 years was realized in the countries that actually procured these boats. The rest was accounted for by purchases abroad or cooperations. There is a wide range of fields of cooperation – not only military or in the area of submarine production, but also in civilian areas such as raw materials, the automotive industry or battery technology. An enormous variety, therefore, combined with jobs and revenue for Canada.”
Pistorius continued: “Particularly important from my perspective as Minister of Defense: We will use the excellent Canadian battle management system for our entire navy. for our entire navy. And we will buy at least 18 – possibly even more – aircraft in the coming years when it comes to ‘global eyes’.” This refers to the Saab AEW&C Global Eye system, which is based on the Canadian Global Express business jet from Bombardier.
Pistorius also referred to joint European-Canadian armaments developments: “Canada and the EU are currently developing the anti-torpedo torpedo, a state-of-the-art system that will also create jobs in Canada.”
“Our submarines are more modern”
When asked about the only competitor, South Korea, Pistorius said that they probably build very good submarines – “but ours are better, more modern. They belong to a completely new generation and have underwater stealth technology that is difficult to detect. The advanced air-independent propulsion makes it possible to stay under water longer than we have provisions on board.”
In view of the particular urgency – only one of the four Canadian submarines of the outdated British Victoria class that entered service in 2000 is still operational – Pistorius added: “The acquisition of the shipyard in Wismar, which incidentally was only possible because we initiated the further submarine order for the German Navy for that type 212CD in December, has secured both shipyard sites and enabled them to increase their capacities. TKMS has therefore already announced that it will produce three to four submarines per year in future. I think that will be realistic from 2027. And if Canada decides to produce on its own territory in the future – immediately or in a second batch – this is possible and expressly envisaged.”
Competition fights back
The South Korean company Hanwha is one of the two foreign finalists in the Canadian procurement process for up to twelve new submarines. Canadian Prime Minister Carney also visited South Korea and the Hanwha shipyard as part of the Asia-Pacific Summit at the beginning of November. The Canadian broadcaster CTV spoke to Hanwha CEO Michael Coulter in the run-up to a decision that may be made this year.
Coulter explained: “The Canadian government knows that we have an excellent submarine that meets all requirements.” He is focusing on the pace of delivery, promising to replace all four of the first submarines by 2035 and then deliver one ship each year until Canada receives a total of a dozen by 2042. A large part of the contract, which extends over decades, relates to maintenance. Hanwha has already signed up more than 30 Canadian companies for this.
Coulter was skeptical about the European proposal for (partial) production in Canada: “That would certainly delay the project. If Canada attaches importance to fast or punctual delivery, the schedule would be severely jeopardized as soon as production capacities are set up in Europe and the submarines are subsequently assembled or equipped in Canada. That is why we have never made such a proposal. We can deliver faster.”
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