Germany’s armament state secretary suggests that Canada could potentially construct a significant portion of the planned dozen submarines for its navy. Jens Plötner mentioned in an interview with CBC News that while the decision ultimately rests with the Canadian government, building a considerable number of submarines locally could be feasible and strategically advantageous due to current geopolitical factors.
Plötner emphasized the scale of the submarine acquisition program, spanning several years, and proposed the idea of initiating production in Germany initially, with the possibility of setting up production facilities in Canada for subsequent vessels. ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), a contender for building Canada’s new submarine fleet, has a history of establishing production facilities in other countries, as seen with South Korea’s entry into the submarine industry.
The potential for Canada to manufacture its submarines is significant, considering the country has never produced its naval submarines, relying on imports from the UK or the US historically. Plötner highlighted the importance of having local production facilities for submarines, not only for maintenance and training but also to enhance national resilience during crises or conflicts.
While Canadian and German officials have not formally discussed the idea of a Canadian production facility, Plötner expressed openness to the possibility if raised by the Canadian government. Establishing a submarine manufacturing facility in Canada would benefit TKMS, which faces production capacity challenges due to a growing order book. The company recently acquired a shipyard in Germany to expand production and has a track record of establishing facilities in other countries.
The submarine replacement program, managed by the Defence Investment Agency, aims to select a bid that maximizes job creation in Canada. Cabinet secretary Stephen Fuhr emphasized the importance of fostering economic benefits and long-term partnerships in submarine procurement decisions, highlighting the significance of creating mutually beneficial relationships with partner countries.