Twelve more

 Mounting criticism from NATO allies that Canada is not living up to its commitment to the alliance revolves around Canada's failure to meet the figure of 2% of GDP dedicated to defence spending. At the recent NATO meeting in Washington, the Canadian government reiterated its intention to increase spending to that level - over the long term.

Details on how this will achieved are scant, but the Minister of Defence has announced that Canada will be acquiring up to twelve conventionally powered, under-ice capable submarines. Called the Canadian Patrol Submarine Program (CPSP) the process will begin with a search for potential bidders. It is understood that the boats will not be built in Canada, but will come form establish constructors elsewhere in the world.

The project will presumably also require a massive infrastructure upgrade to provide bases and refit capabilities for such a large number of boats. Neither of the two HMC Dockyards, Halifax nor Esquimalt, currently has the space for that many subs, particularly as new large destroyers and supply ships will be added to the fleet in the interim.

Today, July 14, saw Canada's sole east coast submarine, HMCS Windsor move to Bedford Basin for some trials. It is one of four Victoria class subs in the RCN, purchased in 1994 from the Royal Navy's stock of decommissioned Upholder class boats of 1980s vintage. The other three are currently based in Esquimalt.

 

HMCS Windsor ex Unicorn, July 14, 2024.

The subs have been maintenance heavy and have had life extensions that will only see them to the mid 2030s. It is questionable if new subs can be delivered on that timetable. Six year refit intervals may see lmore arge expenditures if they RCN needs to keep them in service for another cycle.

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