Both Norway and Germany have been actively advocating for Canada to choose the Type 212CD submarine for its navy, highlighting the benefits of a unified approach in enhancing Arctic and North Atlantic security. Marte Gerhardsen, the state secretary to Norway’s minister of defense, emphasized the concept of a shared fleet rather than individual national fleets in an interview with CBC News.
Canada is in the process of acquiring 12 conventionally powered submarines, and a decision between Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean is expected by the end of June. Opting for the Type 212CD would result in a combined order of 24 submarines among the three nations, creating the world’s largest conventional submarine fleet.
The interoperability of equipment, supplies, training, and crews among the three nations was highlighted by Gerhardsen as a cost-effective and strategically advantageous feature. In case of threats in the Arctic, having two other allied navies with the same submarine could offer significant military support to Canada.
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Germany pledges 4 submarines by 2036 in high-stakes pitch to Canada
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German submarine bid promises Canada $86B economic boost and tens of thousands of jobs
Germany recently committed to delivering four Type 212CD submarines by 2036, a significant development in their proposal. Both Norway and Germany had to adjust their production schedules to accommodate Canada’s needs, showing their willingness to support Canada’s submarine acquisition in a timely manner.
Jordan Miller, a corporate executive and defense analyst, noted that Germany and Norway’s lack of a clear delivery timeline was a weakness compared to South Korea’s reputation for punctual and rapid deliveries in defense contracts. Despite this, Miller acknowledged the strong determination of the German-Norwegian alliance to secure the submarine contract.