Carney selects German-Norwegian consortium for new submarine fleet

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he calls the largest single military purchase in Canadian history.

Carney said in Halifax Monday that Canada has decided to purchase a new fleet of submarines from a German-Norwegian consortium.

This may be the largest-ever military purchase for Canada, but Carney isn’t saying how much it’s going to cost.

He says that’s a matter to be negotiated with the manufacturers, but he says these European-made submarines will help Canada move closer to its European military allies as it moves away from the current relation with the U.S.

The prime minister was at a navy base in Nova Scotia Monday to make his announcement that Ottawa is choosing the German-Norwegian consortium ThyssenKrupp Marine System (TKMS) to build the subs instead of a South Korean company that was hoping for the contract.

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“This decision was about choosing the absolute best platform and partnership to meet Canada’s combined strategic security and economic interests,” said Carney. “These are amongst the most advanced submarines ever built.”

He says negotiations will determine how much it will cost to replace Canada’s aging fleet of four submarines.

Some industry sources say the new subs will cost about $1.5 billion each, but Carney isn’t even saying how many subs they’ll get — possibly as many as 12.

However, Carney says they’re the best option and will allow Canada to assert sovereignty in the Arctic, while working seamlessly with NATO partners in Europe.

Royal Military College professor Jane Boulden says the European submarines will be part of Canada’s new military relationships in the future.

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“I think the specific choice of the European option, as distinct from the South Korean choice, is further indication of the extent to which the Carney government is trying to consolidate a serious, ongoing link with Europe,” said Boulden. “It’s part of the pulling away from our dependence on the United States.”

The German-Norwegian subs were chosen over a South Korean bid, which was proposing to use Canadian steel in their submarines.

Carney didn’t make any mention of that, but he says there will be a huge economic benefit across the country as Canadians keep the subs operating.

“As the project matures, we’ll build the infrastructure to how this fleet — the shipyards, the jetties, the dry docks and the support facilities that will employ ironworkers, electricians, pipefitters, heavy equipment operators in communities right across Canada — and will build the capacity to maintain and sustain these submarines,” said Carney.

The prime minister says 100 per cent of the cost of the subs will be matched by investments here in Canada by the sub makers, and he says that could be worth tens of billions of dollars.

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