Canada ‘definitely in a rush’ to make a decision on submarine procurement: German defence minister

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik discuss Canada's potential procurement of new submarines.

As NATO faces growing threats, Canada is in a hurry to pick a new submarine to replace the country’s ageing Victoria-class vessels, according to Germany’s defence minister.

The defence ministers from Germany and Norway are in Ottawa this week to make the case for why Canada should pick their joint conventional submarine over a rival South Korean proposal.

“They are definitely in a rush,” Boris Pistorius said in an exclusive joint interview with Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik for CTV’s Power Play on Tuesday. “We all need to hurry up and to ramp up in what we are doing.”

The Canadian government is planning to purchase up to 12 conventionally powered, under-ice-capable submarines, and has identified two companies as the potential suppliers: Germany’s Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean Co. (Hanwha).

Canada is considering the TKMS Type 212CB submarine, which is being developed jointly by Germany and Norway, which are pitching interoperability and interchangeability as key factors for the Canadian government to consider as it finalizes its decision.

“We can maintain them together,” Sandvik told host Vassy Kapelos. “We can have spare parts together. We can stockpile together. We can train together, and also sail together.”

“I really think if Canada joins, this will be the world’s largest conventional submarine fleet,” he also said.

Sandvik also said widening the defence partnership with Canada benefits Norway because both countries are maritime, Arctic nations facing the same threatening aggressor: Russia.

“Russia is remilitarizing the region,” Pistorius agreed, adding that the potential purchase of submarines is about launching a decades-long reliable partnership. “China is present, so we have to face it together, and we have to go against it together.”

Germany and Norway face steep competition from South Korea’s Hanwha, which is shoring up its roster of Canadian partners in a strategic move to win the lucrative contract. Hanwha is also pitching a faster delivery time than TKMS.

On his way into a committee meeting on Parliament Hill on Tuesday, Defence Minister David McGuinty was asked by reporters whether he wants to see any submarine procurement deal include manufacturing in Canada.

“Obviously, we’re looking for as many industrial benefits as we can get,” he said. “Canada needs all the investments it can get.”

“Canada is reasserting its defence sector prowess,” he added. “We’re building more industries, we’re increasing the number of companies.”

Pressed on whether that means he’s pushing for Canadian manufacturing to be a part of the submarine purchase agreement, McGuinty said: “We’ll see how that negotiation bears fruit for us, but it will bear fruit.”

Putin pretending to be open to negotiate on Ukraine to buy time: Pistorius

Canada’s apparent urgency to purchase new submarines comes against the backdrop of Russia’s years-long war in Ukraine.

According to a Reuters report, the proposed second summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump is now on hold over Moscow’s rejection of an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.

“There’s no willingness at all to negotiate peace,” Pistorius told Kapelos. “Putin pretends to be willing and to agree to negotiate, but at the end he doesn’t. What he wants and what he’s doing all the time is gaining time, winning time to gain territory in Ukraine.”

Several European leaders, including in Germany and Norway, are warning that if Russia succeeds in Ukraine, Putin will target more neighbouring countries.

You can watch German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik’s exclusive, joint interview on CTV Power Play with Vassy Kapelos in the video player at the top of this article.