The CEO of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the German company set to construct Canada’s new submarines, is advocating for increased collaboration among European shipbuilders. This push for cooperation could have implications for Canada as its navy contemplates the addition of corvettes to its fleet. Oliver Burkhard emphasized TKMS’s recent partnership with Spain’s Navantia S.A., exploring joint naval projects and potentially producing TKMS submarine designs at Navantia’s shipyards.
Burkhard stressed the importance of shipbuilders working together, citing the growing demand for warship construction globally. A report by Imarc projects a more than five percent increase in demand over the next decade. Apart from submarines, Canada has initiated the construction of River-Class destroyers and expressed the need for smaller, cost-effective, ice-capable corvettes. The destroyers are being built in Halifax under the National Shipbuilding Program, while the submarines, due to Canada’s lack of modern submarine-building expertise, will be constructed in Germany.
Burkhard, ahead of meetings with TKMS partners in Ottawa, mentioned TKMS’s selection as the preferred supplier for Canada’s submarines by the Carney government. He anticipates finalizing the contract sooner than expected due to the government’s prompt actions. While discussing potential collaborations, Burkhard hinted at the idea of supplying the MEKO A-100 corvette design to a Canadian shipyard to enhance Canada’s defense industry, although no formal pitch has been made yet.
The Canadian navy identified the need for corvettes last year, emphasizing the importance of military necessity in defense procurement. Rob Huebert, a defense expert, supports the idea of expanding the navy’s fleet to prepare for potential conflicts. He commended Burkhard for recognizing the urgency for nations to strengthen their defense capabilities. Burkhard compared the current shipbuilding market conditions to the creation of Airbus in the 1960s, highlighting the necessity for closer cooperation among European shipyards for submarine construction.
While acknowledging the complexities of establishing a maritime equivalent of Airbus, Burkhard suggested that industry leadership could drive such a collaboration. He emphasized the need for industry-driven initiatives, considering the political dynamics that often prioritize national interests. The importance of fostering closer partnerships among European defense companies was underscored by a study from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) three years ago, which identified a lack of cooperation despite increased defense spending by European countries.