Speaking before departing for the NATO Summit, Carney rejected concerns that Canada could face a prolonged capability gap while waiting for the new fleet, arguing that Germany and Norway have agreed to help accelerate deliveries, News.Az reports, citing DRM News.
“The expectation is we’d have four submarines by 2034,” Carney said, adding that Ottawa had effectively moved the procurement decision forward by five years.
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Carney stressed that Canada has not yet signed a final contract, noting that the Defence Investment Agency will begin negotiations with TKMS for “up to 12 submarines.” He said flexibility remains important as technology evolves over the coming decades.
Addressing criticism over choosing a European supplier instead of South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean, Carney insisted the decision does not signal a retreat from Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
“We’re very committed to the Indo-Pacific strategy,” he said, pointing to recent meetings with leaders from South Korea, the Philippines and India, as well as planned participation in ASEAN and APEC summits later this year.
The prime minister praised Hanwha Ocean’s proposal as “very strong” but said Ottawa ultimately selected what it considers the best overall package for Canada’s defence needs.
Carney also highlighted TKMS’ experience within NATO, noting that the consortium supplies roughly one-third of the alliance’s submarines, which he said provided confidence in its production capacity and ability to meet Canadian military requirements.
The announcement comes just before NATO leaders gather to discuss security challenges, including the Arctic and Baltic regions, with Carney describing the submarine program as a significant contribution to Canada’s long-term defence posture.
