The CEO of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the German company poised to construct Canada’s new submarines, is advocating for increased collaboration among European shipbuilders. This initiative could have implications in Canada as the navy evaluates the addition of corvettes to its fleet. Oliver Burkhard emphasized the recent partnership between TKMS and Spanish government-owned Navantia S.A., exploring potential joint naval projects and the production of TKMS submarine designs at Navantia’s shipyards in Spain.
Burkhard highlighted the growing demand for warship construction, noting a steady increase in demand and emphasizing the necessity for collaboration among shipbuilders. A recent report by Imarc projected a more than five percent increase in demand over the next decade.
Aside from submarines, the Canadian navy is progressing with the construction of the long-awaited River-Class destroyers and has indicated the requirement for smaller, cost-effective, ice-capable corvettes. The destroyers are under construction by Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax as part of the National Shipbuilding Program. As Canada lacks modern submarine building expertise, the planned 12 submarines will be manufactured in Germany.
Ahead of his visit to Ottawa, Burkhard expressed optimism about finalizing the contract with the Canadian government by the end of 2027. He mentioned the potential for exporting the MEKO A-100 corvette design to a Canadian shipyard as a means to enhance Canada’s defense-industrial capabilities.
The Canadian navy identified the need for corvettes last year and is conducting an analysis on the role and capabilities required for such warships. Rob Huebert, a defense expert, stressed the importance of military necessity in defense procurement decisions. He supported the idea of increasing ship construction capacity to prepare for potential conflicts and replacing losses.
Burkhard and Huebert both highlighted the necessity for closer cooperation among European shipyards, drawing parallels to the creation of Airbus in the 1960s as a model for successful collaboration. They emphasized the benefits of industry-led initiatives in promoting joint efforts among defense companies. The importance of enhanced partnerships among European defense companies was underscored by a study from the Center for Strategic and International Studies three years ago, pointing out the need for increased cooperation despite rising defense expenditures in European countries.
