Canada buys German submarines
To renew its submarine fleet, Canada is cooperating with Germany and Norway on a deal worth billions.
Halifax/Ankara/Berlin (dpa) – German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has welcomed Canada’s decision to procure German-Norwegian submarines, describing it as a milestone in strengthening transatlantic security. “Together, we will build the world’s largest and most modern conventional submarine fleet,” Pistorius said ahead of the NATO summit.
Previously, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had announced that Canada had decided to buy German-Norwegian type 212CD submarines that Germany and Norway had developed for joint use. Kiel-based naval shipbuilder TKMS is to supply up to twelve submarines. For TKMS, it is the largest submarine order in the company’s history. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz also welcomed the decision: “This is a major strategic initiative that will bind Canada, Germany and Norway together for decades to come.” He said that the Canadian government was thus sending a strong signal of transatlantic cooperation ahead of the NATO meeting.
Production will take place entirely in Germany, announced TKMS CEO Oliver Burkhard. The company plans to build the high-tech vessels both at its headquarters in Kiel and at its second shipyard in Wismar in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where up to 1,500 jobs will be created.
