By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Canada is seeking to procure up to twelve new conventionally powered submarines by 2035 to replace its aging fleet and enhance national defence capabilities. Germany and Norway, jointly developing the 212 CD submarine, offer Canada early access to the production line, allowing expedited delivery. The 212 CD boasts stealth capabilities and is designed for under-ice operations, addressing concerns about potential threats from adversaries. This procurement is driven by a need for improved national defence in light of evolving geopolitical circumstances and the unreliability of certain allies.
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Germany and Norway are offering Canada early access to their new submarine designs, presenting a compelling opportunity for Canada to join their collaborative project. This proposal has generated significant excitement and optimism among Canadians, who see it as a much-needed modernization of the country’s naval capabilities. The potential benefits are considerable, including a boost to Canada’s NATO 2% commitment in terms of military spending. This aligns with broader desires to strengthen defense partnerships with reliable allies, particularly in Europe, and signifies a move towards greater economic and military diversification away from overreliance on the United States.
The proposition is viewed as especially attractive given Canada’s troubled history of military procurement. Past projects have been plagued by cost overruns and delays, leading to skepticism about the country’s ability to manage such large-scale undertakings effectively. The allure of acquiring new, proven technology from established partners like Germany and Norway is therefore strong, offering a potential solution to this long-standing issue. This is seen as a less risky alternative to costly and time-consuming domestic development projects. The opportunity to acquire the submarines “new and only pay for one time” is highly appealing in this context, a stark contrast to the country’s history of repeated expenditure overruns on military hardware.
Many Canadians also see this potential partnership as an important step towards re-aligning with European allies. This sentiment is fueled by a desire to lessen dependence on the United States and to participate more actively in international collaborative defense projects. The idea of adopting NATO-standard, off-the-shelf technology is seen as particularly beneficial, avoiding the pitfalls of designing bespoke systems that may prove inefficient and excessively expensive.
While enthusiasm is high, there are also cautious voices. Concerns remain about the Canadian government’s ability to successfully navigate the procurement process. The current political climate, with a parliament recently prorogued and elections looming, adds another layer of uncertainty. However, despite these concerns, a palpable sense of unity has emerged around the proposition, a stark contrast to the usual political divisions in the country. This unprecedented consensus is largely attributed to the widespread recognition of the urgent need for modernizing Canada’s submarine fleet.
The integration of anti-air missiles launched from torpedo tubes is viewed as a significant technological advantage, enhancing the submarines’ survivability and combat capabilities. This further strengthens the appeal of this collaborative project, especially against the backdrop of Canada’s need for modernization and integration with its NATO allies. The potential for these submarines to launch sea-to-land projectiles also adds to their strategic importance.
The involvement of Germany, with its established track record in submarine technology, is seen as a reassurance. This, combined with the strong likelihood of the collaborative nature of this agreement, further builds trust and confidence. The partnership presents opportunities to strengthen not just military might but also to foster collaboration in areas such as materials and technology transfer, potentially fostering a strong and mutually beneficial economic relationship between Canada and Europe. This could involve a fair exchange of resources, thereby ensuring a reasonable cost and mitigating any risks associated with high procurement costs.
Concerns about monopolies within Canada’s domestic shipbuilding industry also surface. The hope is that this collaboration would not result in a repetition of past patterns of excessive payments to domestic suppliers, while potentially benefiting Canada by reducing reliance on problematic and frequently costly domestic procurement policies. There’s a clear emphasis on maintaining a strong political independence from external influences and avoiding scenarios that could compromise the nation’s strategic autonomy.
Ultimately, the proposal to join the German-Norwegian submarine project is considered a timely and important step towards strengthening Canada’s defense capabilities, bolstering its alliances, and modernizing its military equipment. While the path ahead may involve navigating bureaucratic hurdles and political considerations, the widespread support for the initiative signals a significant shift in Canadian defense priorities and a renewed focus on effective collaboration with international partners.