Canada buys 12 German submarines in historic defense deal
Canada buys 12 German submarines in historic defense deal
Updated at: July 24, 2026 at 01:00 AM
On July 6, 2026, Canada made history by announcing the largest defense procurement deal in its history.
The government selected Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) to supply up to 12 new Type 212CD conventional submarines.
The Type 212CD was chosen primarily for its suitability in Arctic waters, where climate change is making surveillance increasingly vital.
By selecting a platform already utilized by Germany and Norway, Canada strengthens its NATO interoperability, ensuring smoother training and shared maintenance protocols.
While the project is estimated to cost between $70 billion and $100 billion over its lifecycle, the agreement mandates that a significant portion of the investment will generate economic benefits within Canada.
Although South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean presented a competitive bid, Canada prioritized the long-term strategic advantages of the German-Norwegian partnership.
The first submarine is expected to arrive by 2034, marking a major milestone in Canada's efforts to modernize its military and address evolving global security challenges.
