Canada to decide between German, South Korean submarine bids on Monday
TORONTO (AP) — Canada is expected to choose Monday between offers from Germany and South Korea to build a fleet of 12 submarines in one of its largest military purchases ever.
Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean They are competing for a contract to build 12 conventionally powered submarines worth tens of billions of dollars.
The announcement is expected before Prime Minister Mark Carney travels to France. NATO summit As NATO allies, defense spending is being increased in Türkiye.
Carney is scheduled to visit a Canadian Armed Forces base in the Atlantic coast province of Nova Scotia on Monday before announcing “new measures to make Canada more secure, resilient and prosperous.”
Carney’s spokesman declined to confirm the submarine announcement would be made on Monday. But Carney said in May that the decision would be announced within a few weeks.
Canada’s current fleet of four Victoria-class submarines is barely operational.
German-Norwegian consortium ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems claimed that its submarines would strengthen NATO, stating that it provides most of the alliance’s conventional submarine fleet.
South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean launched an aggressive advertising campaign and highlighted the economic benefits to Canada.
Last month, Hanwha displayed its KSS-III diesel-electric submarine in British Columbia after completing the South Korean navy’s first trans-Pacific transit.
Both companies say their proposals would create jobs and investment in Canada.
Carney government promises to meet with top NATO officials defense spending targetsThis year it pledged to spend 5% of Canada’s gross domestic product on defense by 2035, after reaching the alliance’s previous benchmark of 2%.
