Canada is advancing the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) to renew and strengthen the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) underwater capabilities and ensure a sustained presence in the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans.
On July 6, 2026, the Government of Canada announced that Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has been selected as the preferred supplier to begin negotiations for delivering Canada’s next fleet of submarines as a key step in providing the RCN with the equipment it needs to keep Canadians safe and maintain current and future operational readiness.
TKMS will enter negotiations to finalize the contract(s) or other arrangement(s) required to deliver the requirements of the CPSP. Canada will conclude contracting no later than the end of 2027, with the first four submarines to be delivered ahead of schedule, in 2034, ahead of the planned retirement of the Victoria-class fleet in the mid-to-late 2030s, helping to prevent a gap in Canada’s submarine capability.
The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project will deliver up to 12 modern submarines and advances Canada’s broader commitments to sovereignty, continental defense, and collective security with allies, including through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). This project also represents a significant contribution toward reaching the NATO Defense Investment Pledge of 5% by 2035.
Canadian Patrol Submarine Project
The CPSP will deliver modern submarines to replace the aging Victoria-class fleet. These submarines provide an unparalleled combination of stealth, persistence, and lethality that will allow the RCN to detect, track, deter and, if necessary, defeat adversaries in all three oceans surrounding Canada: Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Arctic Ocean.
The project will support a wide range of CAF operations, including:
- Defending Canada and North America, including NORAD missions
- Supporting international operations with allies and partners
- Conducting surveillance and intelligence gathering
- Enabling maritime security operations
- Maintaining a sustained Canadian presence in the Arctic
These submarines are a key element of a balanced fleet that will enable the RCN to project power responsively and effectively near and far from Canada’s shores, with the flexibility and staying power required to succeed across a broad mission set. With the longest coastline in the world, Canada’s ability to deploy underwater surveillance capability is crucial to our security and sovereignty.
Advancing the project
The Government of Canada has conducted a rigorous, multi-stage procurement process to identify a preferred supplier, including:
- A Request for Information issued from September 2024 to February 2025
- Identification of two qualified suppliers on August 26, 2025
- Issuance of proposal instructions in November 2025
- Submission of proposals in March 2026
- A bid clarification and amendment process aligned with Canada’s Defense Industrial Strategy, concluded on April 29, 2026
Enduring partnership
The CPSP represents a long-term partnership between Canada, TKMS and Germany
This partnership is expected to include:
- Long-term collaboration on submarine design, construction and sustainment
- Opportunities for technology transfer and skills development
- Close cooperation with allied naval programs
The Government of Canada will work with TKMS to finalize technical, operational and economic elements of the agreement.
Supporting Canadian industry
The CPSP will contribute to the growth and resilience of Canada’s marine and defense sectors by:
- Supporting high-skilled jobs across Canada
- Strengthening domestic industrial capabilities
- Advancing innovation in naval and defense technologies
- Engaging small and medium-sized enterprises through supply chains
The CPSP is being advanced by the Defense Investment Agency and aligns with Canada’s Defense Industrial Strategy. Under the BUILD–PARTNER–BUY framework, the project demonstrates the PARTNER approach, whereby Canada collaborates with trusted allies to develop and deliver capabilities while ensuring industrial and economic benefits for Canada.
The project will be subject to Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy, ensuring the investment generates long-term economic benefits for Canadians.
Quick facts
- On October 2, 2025, the Prime Minister announced the creation of the Defense Investment Agency (DIA). This new special operating agency was established to strengthen Canada’s defense procurement system. It marks a major advancement in modernizing the process, aimed at rebuilding, rearming and reinvesting in the CAF to address evolving global threats and meet operational requirements.
- The DIA is modernizing defense procurement for the Government of Canada. The Agency is accelerating mission-critical equipment delivery to the CAF by centralizing expertise and streamlining decisions.
- The RCN’s current submarine fleet will remain operational into the mid-to-late 2030s. To ensure a smooth transition between classes without a capability gap, the first four submarines will be delivered ahead of schedule, in 2034.
- Submarines are a key element of a balanced fleet that enables the RCN to project power responsively and effectively far from Canada’s shores, with the inherent flexibility and staying power required to succeed across a broad mission set.
