The CEO of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the German company set to construct Canada’s new submarines, is advocating for increased collaboration among European shipbuilders. This initiative could have implications in Canada as the navy mulls over the addition of corvettes to its fleet. Oliver Burkhard emphasized TKMS’s recent partnership with the Spanish government-owned Navantia S.A., exploring joint naval projects and potentially manufacturing TKMS submarine designs at Navantia’s Spanish shipyards.
Burkhard stressed the importance of shipbuilders working together in response to the rising demand for warship construction, with a projected increase exceeding five percent over the next decade according to a recent report by Imarc. Apart from submarines, the Canadian navy is progressing with the construction of River-Class destroyers and expressing interest in smaller, cost-effective, ice-capable corvettes to fulfill military requirements. The destroyers are being built by Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax under the National Shipbuilding Program, while the submarines will be constructed in Germany due to Canada’s lack of modern submarine building expertise.
Burkhard is set to meet with Canadian companies collaborating with TKMS for the submarine program during his visit to Ottawa this week. TKMS has been named the preferred supplier for Canada’s submarines by the Carney government, aiming to finalize a full contract with the German shipbuilder by the end of 2027. Burkhard anticipates a faster agreement process given the government’s expeditious actions.
In discussions leading up to the TKMS selection, the possibility of supplying the MEKO A-100 corvette design to a Canadian shipyard was raised, though it was not included in the submarine bid. Burkhard confirmed that this concept was under consideration, indicating potential for the corvettes to be built in Canada using TKMS’s design. The Canadian navy identified the need for corvettes last year and has been evaluating the roles and capabilities required for such a warship.
Rob Huebert, a defense expert from the University of Calgary, emphasized the importance of addressing military needs over economic benefits in defense procurement. He supported the construction of additional ships for the navy, highlighting the necessity for fleet expansion and ship replacement capabilities in potential conflict scenarios. Huebert also welcomed the closer collaboration among European shipyards, particularly in submarine construction, drawing parallels to the creation of Airbus in the 1960s.
While acknowledging the complexity of developing a maritime equivalent of Airbus, Burkhard suggested that the industry could spearhead such an endeavor. He emphasized the potential for industry-led cooperation akin to the formation of Airbus. The importance of enhanced partnerships among European defense companies was underscored in a study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) three years ago, which highlighted the increased defense spending in European countries but limited cooperation among them.
