Canada is advancing its program to construct new conventionally-powered submarines, issuing a request for information from industry stakeholders to assess their capability and capacity to build and deliver up to 12 submarines.
Public Services and Procurement Canada issued the request “to gain further information on the availability of submarines that are currently in service or in production.”
After evaluating the bids, expected by mid-November, Canada will award a contract by 2028 and plan for the first delivery not later than 2035.
The new fleet is set to replace the Victoria-class diesel-electric submarines, operating since the early 1990s.
The country is especially looking for international partners, companies, and navies in Europe and Asia that have submarines in service or in the production phase.
“As an Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific nation with the world’s longest coastline, Canada needs a new fleet of submarines,” Canadian Minister of National Defence Bill Blair said.
“We look forward to working with industry partners to implement this crucial project, in support of the priorities outlined in Our North, Strong and Free,” he added.
Canada announced the “Our North, Strong and Free” defense plan in April to improve land, borders, sea, and cyberspace surveillance and security.
Ottowa is allocating $8.1 billion in defense spending for the next five years and forecasting to allocate $73 billion over 20 years.
By the 2040s, Canada’s defense resources could reach 1.76 percent of gross domestic product, which it called “a major step toward reaching the NATO commitment of 2 percent.”
