The CEO of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the German company set to construct Canada’s new submarines, is advocating for enhanced collaboration among European shipbuilders. This initiative could potentially impact Canada as the navy contemplates the addition of corvettes to its fleet.
Oliver Burkhard, in an interview with CBC News, emphasized TKMS’s recent partnership with Navantia S.A., a Spanish government-owned entity. The collaboration aims to explore joint naval projects, potentially involving the production of TKMS submarine designs at Navantia’s Spanish shipyards.
Burkhard stressed the importance of cooperation among shipbuilders, noting the rising demand for warship construction globally. A report by Imarc projected a more than five percent increase in demand for warships over the next decade.
Apart from submarines, the Canadian navy has commenced the construction of River-Class destroyers and expressed interest in acquiring smaller, cost-effective, ice-capable corvettes. The destroyers are being built by Irving Shipbuilding under the National Shipbuilding Program, while the submarines are slated for construction in Germany due to Canada’s lack of modern submarine building expertise.
Burkhard’s discussions precede his upcoming visit to Ottawa to engage with companies collaborating with TKMS for Canada’s submarine program. The Canadian government has selected TKMS as the preferred supplier for the navy’s submarines, aiming to finalize the contract by the end of 2027.
Additionally, TKMS had considered supplying its MEKO A-100 corvette design to a Canadian shipyard, potentially enhancing Canada’s defense-industrial capabilities. While this concept was not part of the submarine bid, Burkhard confirmed its consideration.
The Canadian navy identified the need for corvettes last year and has been evaluating options for the roles and capabilities of such warships. Defense expert Rob Huebert emphasized the importance of military necessity in defense procurement decisions, highlighting the navy’s requirement for corvettes.
Burkhard and industry experts have highlighted the potential for a closer collaboration among European shipyards, drawing parallels to the creation of Airbus in the aerospace sector in the 1960s. This cooperation could address capacity challenges and enhance efficiency in shipbuilding.
While acknowledging the complexity of establishing a maritime version of Airbus, Burkhard proposed that industry leadership could drive such initiatives. The necessity for strengthened partnerships among European defense companies was underscored by a study from the Center for Strategic and International Studies three years ago, emphasizing the need for increased cooperation despite rising defense expenditures in Europe.