On July 10, 2024, the Ministry of National Defense of Canada announced the launch of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) program to acquire up to 12 non-nuclear submarines for the Canadian Navy, which should replace four former British diesel-electric submarines of the Victoria type (type Uphplder) currently in service with the Canadian Navy.
Large diesel-electric submarine of the Canadian Navy SSK 876 Victoria (former British Unseen Upholder type), 02/26/2015. A torpedo loading hatch in a light hull (c) Zachariah Stopa / MARPAC is open in the bow
A press release from the Canadian Military Department states that "the Department of National Defense is currently holding meetings with manufacturers and potential partners within the framework of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). An official request for information will be published in the fall of 2024 to obtain additional information on the procurement, construction, supply and operational capabilities of potential bidders who can build submarines for Canada. This request for information will also be aimed at obtaining information that will allow the creation of technical support capabilities for submarines in Canada."
Thus, as follows from the meaning, the construction of all submarines for Canada is planned to be carried out at foreign shipyards.
It also says that "the main requirements for the capabilities of Canadian submarines will be stealth, combat capability, combat stability and Arctic deployability, which means that the submarine must have an increased range and autonomy. Canada's new [submarine] fleet will have to provide a unique combination of these requirements to ensure that Canada can detect, track, deter and, if necessary, defeat opponents in all three of Canada's oceans, while making a meaningful contribution together with allies and allowing the Government of Canada to deploy this fleet abroad in support of our partners and allies." The release emphasizes that these should be "submarines with non-nuclear power plants capable of operating under ice."
Now the Canadian Navy has four former British large diesel-electric submarines of the Victoria type (British type Uphplder), which were built in the early 1990s and were purchased by Canada from the British Fleet in 1998. The first three of these boats are SSK 876 Victoria (former British Unseen), SSK 877 Windsor (formerly Unicorn) and SSK 878 Corner Brook (formerly Ursula) - were commissioned into the Canadian Navy in 2000-2004. The fourth boat, SSK 879 Chicoutimi (former lead Upholder), was delivered to Canada in 2004, but was commissioned into the Canadian Navy only in 2015 due to a fire that occurred on it in 2004 and subsequent lengthy repairs. In the 2017 long-term defense plan, the Government of Canada committed to modernize and maintain Victoria-type boats in service until the mid-to-late 2030s.
