Navy did not consider nuclear submarines despite PM’s claims

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The Royal Canadian Navy is not considering the option of nuclear submarines, despite suggestions to the contrary from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The Navy has been focused for several years on the potential acquisition of conventionally powered submarines to potentially replace existing Victoria-class submarines, according to National Defense emails to this newspaper.

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“The RCN is completing an analysis of conventional submarines that meet Canada’s requirements for patrolling its three oceans,” confirmed National Defense spokesperson Frédérica Dupuis in the latest email.

Canadian defense officials have already met with officials from South Korea, Spain, France and Sweden about conventionally powered submarines. Norway and Germany have also proposed a program for such submarines to Canada.

The possibility of acquiring a nuclear-powered fleet was presented by Trudeau on April 8 during a press conference for the release of his government’s updated defense policy.

The Prime Minister said the government would launch a process to determine which would be the best submarine to replace the Victoria-class boats and, in response to a question, he did not rule out considering a propulsion fleet nuclear. “That’s certainly what we will look at to determine what type of submarines are most appropriate to take on Canada’s responsibility and protect the longest coastline in the world,” he said.

Trudeau’s comments came as a surprise to ministerial and military officials, defense sources confirm. Hours earlier, officers from the ministry and the Canadian Forces briefed reporters on the government’s updated defense policy, noting that conventionally powered submarines were under consideration. No mention was made of the nuclear option in the policy update.

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The prime minister was thought to have misspoke, but officials were not allowed to correct this, according to defense sources.

The prime minister’s office had no comment.

Nuclear-powered submarines have more endurance and can stay underwater for months without having to resurface, but the price is significant.

Australia wants to buy at least five nuclear-powered submarines with help from the United States and Britain. The Australian government estimates that this program will cost around $300 billion over 30 years.

The last time Canada considered nuclear-powered submarines was in the late 1980s, under Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. But that planned purchase was scuttled due to excessive cost and the end of the Cold War.

The Trudeau government had already rejected the idea of ​​a Canadian fleet of nuclear submarines.

In April 2023, this newspaper reported that the Royal Canadian Navy had proposed to the Liberal government to purchase up to 12 new conventionally powered submarines at a cost of $60 billion. The Navy had lobbied for the acquisition of these submarines to be included in the Liberal government’s defense policy update, but this was not done.

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But government officials have acknowledged that current submarines need to be replaced.

Dupuis said the lifespan of the Victoria-class submarines will end between 2034 and 2040, and Canada’s intention is to avoid a capability gap during this period.

The four Victoria class boats, initially known as the Upholder class, were purchased second-hand from the Royal Navy and delivered between 2000 and 2004.

The Conservative Party supported a program to immediately replace the Victoria-class submarines.

But the Royal Canadian Navy’s proposal to buy new submarines faces obstacles. In the past, the Navy has struggled to train enough submariners to man its current fleet of four boats, let alone 12.

Additionally, while the Canadian Forces have suggested that acquiring a new submarine could take 15 years, National Defense documents obtained by this newspaper through the Access to Information Act have warned that the process could take much longer.

“The procurement timeline, from project inception to contract award, is very project specific, but staff analysis has shown that acquiring a new class of submarines will take at least 15 years in total from project inception to first delivery and could exceed 25 years depending on requirements. on the procurement strategy adopted,” said National Defense and Army officials at the time, Harjit Sajjan, in a January 6, 2021 briefing note.

David Pugliese is an award-winning journalist who covers the Canadian Forces and military issues in Canada. To support his work, including exclusive subscriber-only content, subscribe here: ottawacitizen.com/subscription

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