The CEO of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), a German company set to construct Canada’s new submarines, is advocating for enhanced collaboration among European shipbuilders. This initiative could potentially impact Canada as the navy contemplates incorporating corvettes into its fleet. In a recent interview with CBC News, Oliver Burkhard emphasized TKMS’s collaboration agreement with Navantia S.A., a Spanish government-owned company. The partnership aims to explore joint naval projects, potentially including the production of TKMS submarine designs at Navantia’s shipyards in Spain.
Burkhard highlighted the growing demand for warship construction, noting the recent Imarc report projecting a more than five percent increase in demand over the next decade. Apart from submarines, the Canadian navy has initiated the construction of River-Class destroyers and expressed interest in smaller, cost-effective, ice-capable corvettes. The destroyers are under construction at Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax, while the submarines will be built in Germany due to Canada lacking modern submarine building expertise.
Ahead of his visit to Ottawa, Burkhard discussed his meetings with TKMS’s partners involved in supplying Canada’s submarine program. The Carney government recently announced TKMS as the preferred supplier for the navy’s submarines, aiming to finalize the contract by the end of 2027. Burkhard anticipates a swift contract signing process given the government’s prompt actions.
Regarding the potential export of the MEKO A-100 corvette design to a Canadian shipyard, Burkhard confirmed it was being considered but had not been included in the submarine bid. He emphasized the possibility of building the corvettes in Canada using TKMS’s design, expressing readiness for further discussions on the matter.
The Canadian navy identified the need for corvettes last year, emphasizing the importance of military necessity in defense procurement discussions. Rob Huebert, a defense expert, supports the acquisition of corvettes for the navy’s operational needs. He also welcomes closer cooperation among European shipyards, particularly in submarine construction, drawing parallels to the emergence of Airbus in the aerospace industry in the 1960s.
While recognizing the complexity of establishing a maritime equivalent of Airbus, Burkhard suggested that the industry could take the lead in fostering partnerships, independent of political influences. The necessity for stronger collaborations among European defense companies was underscored in a study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) three years ago. The study highlighted European countries spending more on defense but exhibiting limited cooperation, presenting a persistent challenge within the industry.