The CEO of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the leading German company selected to construct Canada’s new submarines, is advocating for enhanced collaboration among European shipbuilders. This initiative could have implications for Canada as the navy contemplates introducing corvettes to its fleet. In a recent discussion with CBC News, Oliver Burkhard emphasized TKMS’s recent partnership with Spain’s Navantia S.A., exploring joint ventures on naval projects, potentially including the production of TKMS submarine designs in Navantia’s Spanish shipyards.
Burkhard underscored the necessity for shipbuilders to work together, citing the surge in demand for warship construction. A recent study by Imarc projected a more than five percent growth in this sector over the next decade. Apart from submarines, the Canadian navy is currently undertaking the production of River-Class destroyers and has expressed the need for smaller, cost-effective, ice-capable corvettes. The destroyers are being constructed by Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax under the National Shipbuilding Program, while the planned 12 submarines will be manufactured in Germany due to Canada’s lack of contemporary submarine building expertise.
Burkhard, ahead of his visit to Ottawa, where he is set to meet with companies collaborating with TKMS for Canada’s submarine program, discussed the potential for the Canadian government to expedite the contract with TKMS, the preferred supplier for the new submarines. Additionally, he hinted at the prospect of TKMS potentially exporting its MEKO A-100 corvette design to a Canadian shipyard, enabling Canada to strengthen its defense-industrial base. The idea, though not included in the submarine bid, is under consideration.
The Canadian navy recognized the need for corvettes last year, conducting an analysis on the roles and capabilities of such warships. Rob Huebert, a defense expert, emphasized the importance of meeting military requirements, noting the necessity for corvettes in the navy’s fleet expansion. Burkhard and Huebert acknowledged the significance of fostering closer ties among European shipyards, especially in submarine construction, drawing comparisons to the collaboration that led to the creation of Airbus in the aerospace industry.
While acknowledging the complexity of establishing a maritime equivalent of Airbus, Burkhard suggested that the industry could take the lead in forming such partnerships, independent of political influences. The need for enhanced cooperation among European defense companies was previously highlighted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in a landmark study three years ago, underscoring the imperative for increased defense spending coupled with improved collaboration among European nations.