The CEO of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the German company poised to construct Canada’s new submarines, is advocating for enhanced collaboration among European shipbuilders, a move that could have implications for Canada as it contemplates the addition of corvettes to its naval fleet. In an interview, Oliver Burkhard emphasized TKMS’s recent partnership with Spain’s Navantia S.A., exploring joint naval projects and potentially manufacturing TKMS submarine designs at Navantia’s shipyards. Burkhard stressed the importance of shipbuilder cooperation due to the escalating demand for warship construction, projected to rise by over five percent in the next decade according to a recent Imarc report.
Apart from submarines, the Canadian navy is currently constructing River-Class destroyers and has expressed interest in smaller, cost-effective, ice-resistant corvettes. The destroyers are being built by Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax under the National Shipbuilding Program, while the planned 12 submarines will be constructed in Germany due to Canada’s lack of modern submarine building expertise.
Burkhard, ahead of his visit to Ottawa, revealed that TKMS is expected to secure a full contract for the submarine project by the end of 2027, following the company being named the preferred supplier by the Canadian government. While discussing the submarine bid, Burkhard also mentioned the consideration of possibly supplying TKMS’s MEKO A-100 corvette design to a Canadian shipyard, although no formal pitch has been made to Canadian officials yet.
The Canadian navy identified the need for corvettes last year, with Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee advocating for smaller warships to safeguard Canada’s extensive coastlines. Defense expert Rob Huebert supported the acquisition of corvettes to bolster the navy’s capabilities, emphasizing the importance of military necessity in defense procurement decisions.
Burkhard and industry experts highlighted the potential for a maritime equivalent of Airbus in the shipbuilding sector, stressing the benefits of closer collaboration among European shipyards. They drew parallels to the aerospace industry’s creation of Airbus in the 1960s to address market challenges. Despite acknowledging the complexities involved, Burkhard suggested that industry-led initiatives could pave the way for enhanced cooperation akin to the Airbus model.
The necessity for strengthened partnerships among European defense firms was underscored by a study from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) three years ago, which identified a lack of cooperation despite increased defense expenditures by European nations. The study emphasized the need for deeper collaboration within the European defense industry.