The Canadian government has narrowed its future submarine program to two contenders, Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean Ltd., according to CBC News on August 25, 2025. The decision marks a major step toward replacing the Royal Canadian Navy’s aging Victoria-class submarines, which are increasingly seen as outdated and unreliable for modern operations.
Germany’s Type 212CD offers advanced stealth, hydrogen fuel-cell based air-independent propulsion, and design adaptations for Arctic operations. In contrast, South Korea’s larger KSS-III Batch II provides long-range endurance, lithium-ion batteries, and vertical launch systems capable of firing cruise missiles. The choice reflects a balance between “stealthy Arctic patrol power” and “global strike capability.”
Canada’s current Victoria-class boats, acquired second-hand from the UK in the late 1990s, suffer from frequent maintenance delays and lack modern propulsion and combat systems. Ottawa aims to acquire 12 conventionally powered submarines with global deployment and Arctic patrol capability, with first deliveries projected around 2035.
By ruling out U.S. nuclear-powered options, Canada seeks to maintain a conventional fleet aligned with its non-nuclear defense posture while preserving operational sovereignty. A final contract award is expected no later than 2027, a decision that will define Canada’s naval strategy and Arctic sovereignty for decades to come.
