The National Shipbuilding Strategy does not include submarines but if Canada is to retain a submarine capability, it will soon have to start thinking about replacing the Victoria-class submarines. DND has a plan to extend their lives, but at some point the decision on either replacing the subs or going out of the submarine business entirely will have to be made. Procurement will undoubtedly be a long and painful process, assuming that Canadians can be convinced of the need for submarines – something that isn’t assured unless there is a serious effort made to convince them. If the government decides to acquire new submarines, that leads us to a consideration of what type of submarine Canada should purchase/build. There is an interesting commentary in Frontline Defence (15 August 2017) by Danny Lam, entitled “Hybrid Submarines, an Efficient Alternative,” that explores the possibilities for a nuclear-steam-electric hybrid propulsion system for new submarines for Canada.
'Insightful and engaging'
6 thoughts on “Future Submarines for Canada”
Danny Lam
I agree with you on the diesel submarines they are indeed very noisy and costs for the up keep of the engines and units will be very high. What Canada requires is a few of these new USS North Dakota (SSN-784), a Virginia-class submarine. Yes, these subs are blue water units but to travel under the amount of frozen ocean Canada has is a long and hazardous journey to say the least. Yes, these units are expensive to purchase per unit but they are worth the expense, Russia has invested heavily in developing its own underwater stealth capabilities in recent years and its submarine technology is approaching the level of the US fleet. While the Russian military is not necessarily building a large quantity of submarines, it is developing boats with advanced quieting capabilities that are very competitive. Russia is modernizing its existing fleet of Oscar-class multipurpose attack nuclear submarines and producing its next generation Severodvinsk Yasen-class. The Russians are making a leverage investment. With these new submarines you don’t have to build a lot of them to become a threat to the North American coastlines and Canada has a lot of coastline in the North America continent.
China, on the other hand, is opting for a quantity over quality approach when it comes to building up its own submarine fleet. The Chinese are not as advanced but are getting there and they are producing diesel submarines in large numbers. In the end, numbers are a capability in themselves. The submarines being developed by China are becoming close to being as advanced as those in the US arsenal but be warned their approach of producing a large number of boats does pose a threat in itself. Quantity can become a threat. In addition to adding to the size of its submarine fleet the Chinese are also advancing their undersea capability. China is improving the lethality and survivability of its attack submarines and building quieter, high-end diesel and nuclear-powered submarines. China’s claims in the South China Sea represent one glaring example as to how it has been able to successfully implement this type of strategy in a way that allows it to expand its military reach without engaging in direct confrontation.
Canada will require these Virginia-class subs. Yes, it would be great if Canada could supply the reactors required but I don’t see our governments getting their act together to accomplish this. These new submarines will assist in countering these viable threats of both Russia and China. ($ 3.3 Billion Cnd per copy x 4 = $13.2 Billion Can) x Training, Maintenance & Parts Contract = $7.6 Billion + $13.2 Billion = $20.8 Billion over a 4 period = $5.2 Billion per year. The latest nuclear submarines technology, uses nuclear power to create steam which in turn is connected to electric generators, these then operate a rim-driven pump-jet that has a ring-shaped electrical motor inside the pump-jet shroud, which turns the vane rotor inside the pump-jet cavity to create thrust. This design reduces noise by removing the shaft and also creates fewer water bubbles, making it even quieter. This helps the submarines to elude foes as high concealment is very important to all nuclear attack subs, especially for covert missions and/or surprise attacks if and when it becomes necessary.
Forbes also explained that the United States has yet to develop a coherent strategy to counter Russian and Chinese gray zone activity — a challenge that will require both the Navy and Congress to reconsider the way it utilizes American sea power. Canada must also become part of this development, as I said Canada has a lot of coastline. The Russians and the Chinese are building military bases in the Arctic Circle and the South China Sea, and in in Aug 2009 2 Russian attack subs were first spotted in international waters off the coast of Georgia.
Our Defense Minister Peter MacKay at that time said this is a very real indication of the Russians flexing their military muscle. This is a very grave concern for all Canadians, as we are a part of the North American land mass. We do not, I repeat do not, have anywhere near enough submarines to counter this viable threat to our sovereignty. The government cannot afford a submarine capability gap and every day these Victoria-class submarines are not decommissioned, adds days of risk. It also makes Canada look like a bunch of fools. Canada cannot afford to upgrade these antiquated submarines because no matter what we do they will still be out of date. These diesel submarines very noisy and the costs for the up keep of those engines and units will not be cheap.
Thanks
CANADIAN SUBMARINE CAPABILITY IN PERIL
Canadian submarine interests can be divided into three categories: the defence of Canada and North America, supporting Canadian expeditionary deployments and supporting Canada’s interest in global maritime stability. If the Canadian government does not invest in a modern submarine capability, our navy will not be able to patrol its three ocean shores. Today over 50 Nations operate almost 500 submarines. Every one of these Nations understands that the submarine, with its superior combat power and freedom of action, is a fundamental component of the sea power paradigm. Each of these Nations implicitly understand that possession of a submarine capability confers an influence out of proportion to initial investment and ‘year-over-year’ operating and maintenance expense. It becomes clear that if the Canadian Navy were to decide to retire its submarine force it would be losing more than just one quarter of its combat capability, it would also be losing its credibility as a modern naval force. In order to fully meet Canada’s defensive needs, the RCN must have an effective submarine capacity. Submarines are the ultimate stealth platforms, able to operate in areas where sea and air control is not assured, and gain access to areas denied to other forces. Without submarines, Canada cannot have the vital maritime situational awareness of who is operating in our Canadian waters. In terms of surveillance of Canada’s ocean approaches and the protection of its own sovereignty, a submarine capability is crucial. Canada can ill-afford to ignore what goes on either above, or below, the surface of the oceans so vital to our national interests any longer. It is a foregone conclusion that there are submarines beneath Canada’s polar ice cap and…., they are not ours. As Vice-Admiral Maddison said four years ago, “In terms of surveillance of our ocean approaches and the protection of our own sovereignty, a submarine capability is paramount. To lose that, for a G8 nation, a NATO country like Canada, a country that continues to lead internationally, and aspires to lead more, the loss of this submarine capability would be considered a critical loss”.
Only a system that can reach under the ice can tell us what else might be operating there. This requires a blunt discussion with the Canadian public about propulsion systems for a class of submarine that must operate in the world’s most hostile and unforgiving maritime environment. This conversation about this looming capability loss, needs to start now. The Country will likely need bigger, quieter boats that can perform stealth missions, launch undersea robots and be able to fire guided missiles at shore targets. The market for submarines, especially with emerging powers such as India and China, has grown by leaps and bounds, but there are still only a handful of countries in the world capable of building them. At the top of this list are companies like ThyssenKrupp Marine of Germany, BAE Systems Maritime–Submarines of Britain, DNCS from France, and General Dynamics Electric Boat from the U.S.A. Needless to say, the replacement submarines for the Victoria Class would have to be built in a foreign facility, since no Canadian shipyard has ever built a submarine, and there is no resident expertise or capability in Canada. Canada then needs to expeditiously select a submarine to replace the Victoria Class as they are rapidly reaching end of life, and decide on numbers to acquire.
The German Type 216 SSK is a 4,300 ton submarine with a length of 90m (295ft), a beam of 8.1m (26.5ft) and a draft of 6.6m (21.6ft). It has a double hull and is able to remain under water for weeks IOT reach crisis areas. At the heart of this boat is a propulsion system that employs a methanol reformer Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system to achieve stealth capability and a submerged range without snorkeling of 2,600 nautical miles (4,815 km) at four knots, assisted by lithium ion batteries as a supplementary energy source. The Type 216 is equipped with three multi-purpose modules. These allow unparalleled flexibility to meet rapidly evolving requirements, without the need for an expensive and time-consuming refit. It has the ability, to launch Cruise Missiles, to deploy Special Forces with manned and un-manned under-water delivery vehicles. The advantage of the Type 216 design is that it has the ability to be reconfigured rapidly, IOT meet changing operational requirements. The biggest dis-advantage of this SSK design is that at some point it must at least partially surface to snorkel IOT refresh it’s air which would be impossible to do under almost any ice conditions. The Type 216 has an extraordinarily large payload of 39 weapons including 18 torpedoes or anti-ship missiles and 21 land attack missiles. If all three vertical multi-purpose modules are utilized with each housing seven missiles, then total weapons payload increases to 45 if the Type 216 can deploy with all six torpedo tubes filled. The Type 216 is already compatible with the American AN/BYG-1 submarine combat system. Snorkeling under diesel electric power at 10 knots adds a further 10,400 nautical miles (19,260 km). Overall endurance is about 80 days during which, a submerged AIP period could, if required, extend to approximately 18 days. The Class is designed to be extremely quiet due to its propulsion system and, uses sound absorbing coating on the hull. While a 33-strong crew would be sufficient to man and operate the Type 216, 60 bunks are provided to meet other Naval requirements. Crew well-being and comfort standard is accomplished through enlarged accommodations, recreation areas and utility rooms. It has sewage and waste treatment facilities to fulfill future environmental regulations. More submariners would need to be recruited though. A $20 billion contract to ThyssenKrupp would deliver 12 Type 216-based submarines with life cycle costs upwards of 50B. The Type 216 SSK would be a good choice to replace the Victoria Class Submarine.
The new French DNCS SMX Ocean Class is the same design as the French Barracuda Class SSN, with no Nuclear Reactor but with the latest AIP technologies. It displaces 4,765 tons (5,300 tons submerged), a length of 100m (333.3ft), a beam of 8.8m (29ft) and a height of 15.5m (50.8ft). Maximum diving depth is 350m (1,150ft) with a maximum submerged speed of 20kts. It has a patrol range of 18,000 nautical miles (33,336km) at 10 knots with a patrol cruise of 90 days. SMX Ocean is equipped with an eight-diver lockout chamber, plus a dry deck shelter for Special Forces and a dedicated UUV bay. The SMX Ocean Class not only incorporates the latest cutting-edge technology advances available, but can also stock five different types of weapons: torpedoes, anti-surface missiles, anti-air missiles, cruise missiles and mines for a total payload of 34 weapons. The concept behind the Class can deliver a very diverse patrol program. The Australian Navy has recently chosen the SMX Ocean Class (Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A) as replacement for their Collins Class Submarine and intends on acquiring 12 of these boats (some follow-on boats may be Nuclear powered), at an initial cost of 20B with life cycle costs of 50B AUD. If Canada were to acquire 12 of these larger SMX Ocean Class SSK, operational effectiveness would be much improved over the German Type 216 SSK. This SSK, would be a “game-changer” for Canada’s future National Defence.
THE CANADIAN NUCLEAR SSN OPTION: Canadian submarines will need to be able to operate for prolonged periods, at great distances, and with unlimited endurance in some of the most unforgiving waters on the planet. The Arctic’s under-ice environment has limited opportunities for conventional diesel/AIP-powered submarines, which lack endurance, speed, versatility and the ability to safely surface in extreme conditions. Only SSNs have the power to repeatedly surface through ice of any significant thickness, even several feet. Conventional submarines are restricted to near ice-edge operations. To replenish air, SSKs must surface, or almost surface, to raise its snorkel mast at regular intervals, which is impossible for SSK’s under all but the thinnest layers of ice. A look at the four non-nuclear AIP systems currently in service or development shows these clear limitations. The current AIP record for a slow submerged transit is a mere 18 days at the most. It is important to remember that none of the conventional power options allow for prolonged under-ice operations.
Declaring the operation of a Canadian SSN submarine in Canadian Arctic waters and Northwest Passage choke points, indicates to others that Canada has the capability to control the Water Space Management (WSM) in ocean areas claimed by Canada. Demonstrating to Canadians and others that Canada has the will and the capability to assert sovereignty in the seas of the Arctic, which will become more important, as global warming allows increased exploration of the Arctic seabed, and its rich resources. The WSM system is an important tool in this endeavour, but only if Canada maintains a viable and capable submarine force which, by necessity, demands the timely replacement of the ‘ice-edge limited’ Conventional Victoria Class SSK by a fleet of twelve under-ice capable SSN’s. Existing AIP technology does not meet Canadian geographical demands for extended safe under-ice operations.
The SSN is the only platform capable of extending the RCN’s reach below our ice-covered Arctic waters by demonstrating a measure of actual control, providing the RCN with a respectable presence in our three ocean’s. It is a true force-multiplier able to meet all Canadian maritime sovereignty and defence requirements. An SSN can travel the Northwest Passage, under the icecap, from Atlantic to Pacific, in just 14 days vice a month via the Panama Canal. Without SSN’s, Canada cannot exercise authority in the Arctic waters within the confines of it’s sovereign territory. This is a central requirement to any definition of sovereignty. If we are to be truly sovereign, we cannot “contract out” the defence of Canada. An annual Defence budget increase of $5B or 2% of GDP, would allow Canada to easily fund an SSN acquisition programme and allow us to finally contribute our “fair share” within the NATO alliance.
ASTUTE CLASS SSN:
The British Astute Class SSN submarine has the capability to circumnavigate the globe without surfacing. It is a powerful attack submarine that can strike at targets up to 1,000km from any coast with pin-point accuracy. Astute SSN’s are the first nuclear submarines to be designed entirely in a three-dimensional, computer-aided environment. An Astute submarine’s 90-day dived endurance is only limited by the amount of food storage capacity and the endurance of the crew. These submarines are the first boats not to be fitted with optical periscopes. Instead the vessel employs high specification video technology. It has a displacement of 8,600 short tons, a length of 97m (318ft), a beam of 11.3m (37 ft 1 in) and a draft of 10m (33ft). It has a Rolls-Royce Pwr 2 Reactor (25 year life-span), able to generate a top speed of over 30 kts (submerged) with unlimited range, and a tested depth of over 300m (984 ft). Armaments include storage for 38 weapons including Tomahawk Block IV Cruise Missiles and heavy-weight torpedoes. The bridge fin of the Astute-class boats are specially reinforced to allow surfacing through heavy ice caps. These submarines have a crew of 98 sailors and can also be fitted with a dry deck shelter, which allows special forces to deploy while submerged. More than 39,000 acoustic tiles mask the vessel’s sonar signature, giving the Astute class improved acoustic qualities over any other submarine previously operated. Twelve of these boats would be a true force-multiplier and a “Real Game Changer” for Canada.
VIRGINIA CLASS SSN:
The Virginia Class SSN, is a 7,900 ton boat, with a length of 115m (377 ft), a beam of 10m (34 ft) and a depth of 490m (1600 ft). It has a S9G nuclear reactor delivering 40,000 shaft horse power with a speed of 25+ kts. Nuclear core life is estimated at 33 years with a compliment of 135 sailors. Armaments include : 12 VLS & four torpedo tubes, capable of launching Mark 48 torpedoes, UGM-109 Tactical Tomahawks, Harpoon missiles and the new advanced mobile mine when it becomes available. Block V boats will have the additional VPM module which contains four large diameter tubes which can accommodate 7 Tomahawk cruise missiles each. This would increase the total number of torpedo-sized weapons (such as Tomahawks) carried by the Virginia class from 37 to about 65 weapons, an increase of 76%. Optical fiber fly-by-wire Ship Control Systems replaces electro-hydraulic systems for control surface actuation. Command and control system module (CCSM) is built by Lockheed Martin. Twelve of these boats would greatly enhance Canada’s sea power, is a “True Game Changer” and will give other states pause when infiltrating Canada’s oceans.
FRENCH BARRACUDA CLASS SSN:
The French Barracuda Class SSN has a displacement of 5300 tons (Submerged). It has a length of 99.4m (326 ft), a beam of 8.8m (29 ft) and a draft of 7.3m (24ft). It has a Pump-Jet Propulsion 50 MW Nuclear Reactor with a 10 year lifespan before refueling. It is able to generate a top speed of over 25 kts (submerged) with unlimited range. It has an endurance of between 70-90 days with a crew of 60 officers and men. Armaments include 4 × 533 mm (21.0 in) tubes; 20 storage racks, including MDCN SCALP Naval missiles, Exocet SM39 Block2 missiles, F21 Artemis heavy torpedoes and FG29 mines. This submarine can also be fitted with a dry deck shelter, which allows special forces to deploy while the submarine is submerged. Twelve of these boats would also be a “Game Changer” for Canada.
BARRACUDA CLASS SSN
Japan may offer conventional technology using lithium batteries that may offer an extended under water capability for under ice operations. This could be true if a conning tower was designed to break through ice. This would allow a sub to have extended trips under the Ice and create air holes to recharge batteries as required. Should japan produce a workable lithium battery design for submarines. Arctic waters are warming and ice thickness may not be as large a problem as in the past. A strengthened snorkel acting as an ice pick might be all that would be required. If the sub could hover under the ice and extend a snorkel to run the engines to recharge batteries.
The longer Canadians wait to replace our submarines the more likely it will be that we will repeat passed mistakes.
We cannot be sovereign if we rely on our protection from others. We need several uncompromising 3 ocean capable submarines.
Canada is a three-ocean country with a two-ocean navy, The new Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessels have very limited offensive and defensive capabilities, (think capable of sinking a fishing boat) and they have a limited sensor suite. Canada needs a capable under-ice system. Our Arctic sovereignty is being threatened by Russia, China and even the United States
THE CANADIAN NUCLEAR SSN OPTION: This will never happen
Canada can acquire AIP-equipped submarines with limited under-ice capabilities, a minimum of six submarines with dual crews, 10 if single crewed boats.
Canada can choose from the following submarines that would meet our requirements;
Sōryū-class submarine, equipped with lithium-ion batteries
Type 216, fuel cell and lithium-ion batteries
Blekinge-class submarine (A26) Oceanic (Extended Range) AIP stirling propulsion
Intelligent military procurement is not one of Canada’s strong points. Before improving our front line of national defence, attention should be addressed to what goes on behind the lines. Months of political haggling and posturing in order to make a decision on what type of submarines we are going to buy, when, and how much is totally unnecessary, time consuming, and costly. Experience should tell us not to buy used. That leaves nuclear or diesel. Nuclear is out of the question, so that leaves state of the art diesel from Germany. The amount of money that Canada has spent on submarines from Great Britain would have purchased four brand new modern diesels from Germany.