A bigger role than just submarines
The German shipbuilder tapped to supply Canada's next generation of submarines says its ambitions in this country don't stop there. Oliver Burkhard, chief executive of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), says the company could also help build smaller warships in Canadian shipyards — potentially opening up a new front in Canada's ongoing naval modernization push.
Why Europe's shipbuilders are talking co-operation
Burkhard's comments come as countries across Europe scramble to rearm and rebuild depleted defence industries. According to Burkhard, that race means Europe's shipbuilders can no longer afford to operate in silos — greater co-operation between companies and countries, he argues, is now essential to meet demand and stay competitive on the world stage.
That shift in thinking is what's putting TKMS in a position to talk about expanding its Canadian footprint beyond the submarine deal it's already lined up to supply.
What this could mean for Canada
Canada has been working to modernize its navy for years, with submarines representing one of the biggest and most closely watched pieces of that puzzle. If TKMS's interest in building smaller warships domestically moves forward, it could mean more shipbuilding work landing in Canadian yards rather than being sourced entirely overseas — a detail that matters for a federal government under pressure to show that defence spending translates into jobs and industrial capacity at home.
It's still early. Burkhard's remarks signal interest and openness to co-operation rather than a signed deal, but they suggest TKMS sees Canada as more than a one-off customer for submarines. For a country trying to rebuild its naval shipbuilding capacity after years of delays and cost overruns on other major procurement projects, having a major European supplier willing to set up shop — or partner with existing Canadian yards — could be a meaningful piece of the puzzle.
The bigger picture
Canada's submarine program has been years in the making, with the federal government looking to replace its aging Victoria-class fleet. TKMS emerged as the shipbuilder in line to supply the new vessels, a deal that already represents one of the largest defence procurement decisions in recent Canadian history.
Burkhard's comments suggest that deal could be just the starting point of a broader relationship between TKMS and Canada's naval shipbuilding sector, rather than a standalone contract. As European defence firms lean further into collaboration to keep up with rearmament demands, Canada may find itself with more options — and more competition — for how and where its next fleet of ships gets built.
Source: CBC News
