Re: “Navy: Without billions in upgrades, submarines start retiring in 2022,” Sept. 8.
In April, the Australian government signed a deal with DCNS of France for 12 new conventionally powered Barracuda-class submarines to replace the Royal Australian Navy’s Collins-class boats. The 12 subs will cost $20 billion, with life-cycle costs out to 2060 of $30 billion. They will be built and maintained in Australia. Delivery is to begin in 2024. The boats’ combat system is to be sourced from the U.S.
The Canadian government has an opportunity here to partner with Australia to build additional Barracuda-class submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy to replace the Victoria-class boats, which, according to the article, the RCN must begin paying off in 2022.
Needless to say, the boats would have to be built in Australia (or France), since no Canadian shipyard has ever built a submarine, and there is no resident expertise or capability in Canada.
Canadian shipyards will have their hands full with surface-ship construction during that timeframe, in any event.
Upgrades to the Victoria-class boats would merely be a stopgap, delaying the inevitable requirement for their replacement. The timing and cost of the Australian program are a perfect fit for Canada. Submarines are an essential element of our maritime security, given the worrisome developments in the western Pacific.
Michel Brossard
Central Saanich
