The chief executive officer of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the German company set to construct Canada’s new submarines, is advocating for increased collaboration among European shipbuilders. This initiative could potentially impact Canada as discussions about incorporating corvettes into the navy’s fleet are ongoing.
In an exclusive interview with CBC News, Oliver Burkhard emphasized TKMS’s recent partnership with Navantia S.A., a Spanish government-owned company. The collaboration aims to explore joint naval projects, potentially involving the production of TKMS submarine designs at Navantia’s shipyards in Spain.
Burkhard highlighted the importance of cooperation among shipbuilders in response to the rising demand for warship construction. A recent report from Imarc projected a growth of over five percent in this sector over the next decade.
Apart from submarines, the Canadian navy has commenced the construction of its long-awaited River-Class destroyers and expressed the necessity for smaller, cost-effective, ice-capable corvettes. The destroyers are under construction at Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax as part of the National Shipbuilding Program.
Given Canada’s lack of modern submarine building capabilities, the planned 12 submarines will be constructed in Germany. Burkhard’s upcoming visit to Ottawa will involve meetings with companies collaborating with TKMS for Canada’s submarine program.
Recently selected as the preferred supplier for the navy’s submarines, TKMS aims to finalize a full contract by the end of 2027. Burkhard anticipates a swift contract signing due to the government’s expeditious actions.
Regarding the potential supply of the MEKO A-100 corvette design to a Canadian shipyard, Burkhard confirmed that while it was considered, no formal pitch has been made to Canadian authorities. The concept suggests the possibility of constructing the corvettes in Canada using TKMS’s design.
The Canadian navy identified the need for corvettes in the previous year and has been evaluating various options for these vessels. Rob Huebert, a defense expert, emphasized the importance of meeting military requirements over economic benefits, supporting the navy’s need for corvettes.
Huebert commended the European shipyards’ closer collaboration, particularly in submarine construction, citing the necessity due to varying capacities among companies. Burkhard likened the current shipbuilding market conditions to the 1960s, drawing parallels to the creation of Airbus in response to challenges from U.S. defense contractors.
While acknowledging the complexity of establishing a maritime equivalent of Airbus, Burkhard suggested that the industry could spearhead the initiative. The need for enhanced partnerships among European defense companies was underscored in a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, emphasizing the importance of increased cooperation despite rising defense expenditures by European nations.