Navy commander says Canada could end up with subs from two different suppliers

Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems CEO Oliver Burkhardt, centre, speak with Captain Jeremy in front of a 212A class submarine under maintenance as they tour the submarine building facility in Kiel, Germany on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

OTTAWA — Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee says the Royal Canadian Navy could end up with submarines supplied by both companies vying for Ottawa’s lucrative sub procurement contract — and there could be advantages to diversifying the fleet.

Topshee also says the simplest solution would be to operate 12 submarines from just one supplier, which would ensure all the parts and weapons systems are the same.

Topshee did not express a preference either way in a recent interview with The Canadian Press, saying it’s ultimately up to the federal government to decide.

Some defence experts warn that splitting the contract between two bidders would introduce complications for the navy and likely would eliminate any domestic industrial benefits that could come from a single contract.

Ottawa has narrowed the field from five down to two finalists: South Korea’s Hanwha and Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.

Canada is in a race against time to replace its four aging Victoria-class submarines, which are expected to retire from service by 2035.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 23, 2025.

Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press