The Royal Canadian Navy is going forward with the push to replace Canada’s beleaguered submarine fleet. The topic is most certainly a controversial one because most people don’t even see the need for such vessels.
Defence officials have appointed a special team who will try to determine what Canada needs in new submarines. The existing Canadian submarines are in a bad shape, and it is obvious that these vessels need to be put out of service.
Navy spokesperson Lt.-Cmdr. Jordan Holder said:
“The CAF is establishing a Canadian patrol submarine project to inform timely governmental decision-making about a potential replacement class of submarines, and avoid any gap in submarine capability. In order to enable timely decision-making at some future point regarding a replacement class of submarines and the avoidance of a gap in submarine capability, the CAF required a replacement project to be initiated this year.”
In 1998, Canada bought four second-hand submarines from Britain for $750 million. Ever since then the debate about submarines went on.
Although many support the creation of a new fleet, Australia’s recent experience suggests building a new fleet will be a costly endeavor. Australians purchased 12 French-designed submarines for more than $80 billion.
If Canada wants to establish a new submarine fleet it will need to have lots of money ready.
