The chief executive officer of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the German company poised to construct Canada’s new submarines, is advocating for enhanced collaboration among European shipbuilders. This initiative could have ramifications in Canada as the navy contemplates incorporating corvettes into its fleet. In an interview with CBC News, Oliver Burkhard emphasized TKMS’s recent partnership with the Spanish government-owned Navantia S.A., aiming to explore joint naval projects, potentially including the production of TKMS submarine designs at Navantia’s shipyards in Spain. Burkhard stressed the importance of fostering cooperation among shipbuilders to meet the escalating demand for warship construction, as indicated by a recent report projecting a more than five percent increase in demand over the next decade.
Apart from submarines, the Canadian navy has initiated the construction of River-Class destroyers and expressed the necessity for smaller, cost-effective, ice-capable corvettes. Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax is currently constructing the destroyers under the National Shipbuilding Program, while the 12 planned submarines will be constructed in Germany due to the absence of modern submarine building expertise in Canada. Burkhard, ahead of his visit to Ottawa, disclosed that TKMS has been selected as the preferred supplier for Canada’s submarines and anticipates finalizing the contract by the end of 2027 or even earlier based on the government’s expeditious actions.
In discussions leading up to TKMS’s selection, there were deliberations on potentially supplying the MEKO A-100 corvette design to a Canadian shipyard, contributing to Canada’s defense-industrial base. While this concept was not integrated into the submarine bid, Burkhard confirmed its consideration. The prospect of exporting the MEKO A-100 package for construction in Canada was acknowledged by Burkhard, emphasizing the readiness for discussions if Canada expresses interest.
The Canadian navy identified the requirement for corvettes last year and has been evaluating various options to determine the role and capabilities of such a warship. Defense expert Rob Huebert emphasized the importance of prioritizing military needs in defense procurement discussions, supporting the navy’s need for corvettes. He highlighted the significance of rapidly rearming nations like Canada and underscored the necessity for increased ship construction to bolster defense capabilities. Huebert commended the potential for closer cooperation among European shipyards, particularly in submarine construction, citing the need to address disparities in capacity among shipbuilding companies.
Burkhard drew parallels between the current shipbuilding market conditions and the circumstances that led to the creation of Airbus in the 1960s, emphasizing the potential benefits of industry-led collaborations akin to the aerospace sector. While acknowledging the complexities involved in establishing a maritime version of Airbus, Burkhard proposed that industry collaboration could drive such initiatives forward. The need for enhanced partnerships among European defense companies was previously underscored by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, emphasizing the importance of increased cooperation in defense spending among European countries.