RCN PUSHES TO REPLACE BELEAGUERED VICTORIA CLASS FLEET…..FINALLY!

David Dunlop, 14 July 2021

The Canadian Press reported that the RCN has initiated the long-anticipated push to replace Canada's Victoria class submarines. Some would say, too little, too late but the first baby steps have now been taken in what is likely to be a controversial debate. The CAF is establishing a Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) this year to advise the government on potential replacement classes of submarines to avoid gaps in submarine capability.

https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2021/07/14/navy-kicks-off-long-anticipated-push-to-replace-canadas-beleaguered-submarine-fleet/

3 thoughts on “RCN PUSHES TO REPLACE BELEAGUERED VICTORIA CLASS FLEET…..FINALLY!”

David Dunlop
16 July 2021, 10:39 am

I believe we have 5 options here in Canada. Nuclear subs-Astute/Virginia class (That will never happen!); The French AIP Barracuda Block 1A class (A good possibility); The Japanese LIB AIP Soryu 29SS class (Another great option); Perhaps even the German Type 216 long range AIP sub (another good option) or scrap the submarine service entirely (The Canadian people would never stand for that!). Let’s just let the process find its way for the RCN, and leave the politics out of it (for now)!

Reply
- Barnacle Bill
  16 July 2021, 10:34 pm
  
  Sorry, but there’s no prospect of a timely replacement for the Victorias. Not when the government is on the hook for the cost-spiralling CSC program and so many others. Running a submarine replacement with a delivery before 2040 is a pipe dream. And no, the Canadian people would quite happily let the RCN’s sub arm lapse, it being a capability that is neither appreciated nor well understood. We’ve done it before and were saved only because there was a quartet of used boats on the market and the Americans prodded the Chretien government into action. Good luck with that happening again!
  
  The only hope – and it is a forlorn one a that – is to persuade a future government to throw a lifeline to one of the yards to build a replacement. But I wouldn’t count on a domestic build being done cost-effectively. Too many unique, complex and perishable skills. Nor would just 4 boats constitute a serious capability for that matter. We need at least six, but how are we ever going to crew them along with all the other vessels that have been promised?
  
  The government should have looked at the RCN holistically in its defence policy, decided on what basket of naval capabilities it required for the next quarter-century, and developed an appropriate re-capitalization plan. But that would have required something we are intellectually incapable of: planning beyond the next election cycle.
  
  Reply
  - David Dunlop
    19 July 2021, 4:49 pm
    
    Cannot disagree with most of what you have said Barnacle Bill. Pipe dreams or not, the RCN has taken the first baby steps to nudge the government into a decision down the road. An RCN submarine capability has always been misunderstood by mostly politicians but not by the Canadian people. Don’t sell them short. They are much wiser than most of us. You are correct when it comes to building subs in Canada, but it has been done before (Think CSC Frigates). I would agree that 4 new boats no matter what design is chosen, just won’t cut the mustard anymore. The DND Strong, Secure, Engaged policy is missing a future Submarine capability and is therefore flawed and should be corrected.
    
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3 thoughts on “RCN PUSHES TO REPLACE BELEAGUERED VICTORIA CLASS FLEET…..FINALLY!”