Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney defended his government’s decision to select Germany’s TKMS as the preferred supplier for Canada’s next-generation submarine fleet, saying negotiations are expected to secure up to 12 submarines and deliver the first four by 2034. <\/p>\n
Speaking before departing for the NATO Summit, Carney rejected concerns that Canada could face a prolonged capability gap while waiting for the new fleet, arguing that Germany and Norway have agreed to help accelerate deliveries, News.Az<\/a> reports, citing DRM News<\/a>.<\/p>\n “The expectation is we’d have four submarines by 2034,” Carney said, adding that Ottawa had effectively moved the procurement decision forward by five years.<\/p>\n Carney stressed that Canada has not yet signed a final contract, noting that the Defence Investment Agency will begin negotiations with TKMS for “up to 12 submarines.” He said flexibility remains important as technology evolves over the coming decades.<\/p>\n Addressing criticism over choosing a European supplier instead of South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean, Carney insisted the decision does not signal a retreat from Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy.<\/p>\n “We’re very committed to the Indo-Pacific strategy,” he said, pointing to recent meetings with leaders from South Korea, the Philippines and India, as well as planned participation in ASEAN and APEC summits later this year.<\/p>\n The prime minister praised Hanwha Ocean’s proposal as “very strong” but said Ottawa ultimately selected what it considers the best overall package for Canada’s defence needs.<\/p>\n Carney also highlighted TKMS’ experience within NATO<\/a>, noting that the consortium supplies roughly one-third of the alliance’s submarines, which he said provided confidence in its production capacity and ability to meet Canadian military requirements.<\/p>\n The announcement comes just before NATO leaders gather to discuss security challenges, including the Arctic and Baltic regions, with Carney describing the submarine program as a significant contribution to Canada’s long-term defence posture.<\/p>\n