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 have implications for Canada as the navy explores the addition of corvettes to its fleet. Oliver Burkhard emphasized TKMS’s recent partnership with Spain’s Navantia S.A., aiming to work together on naval projects, potentially including the manufacturing of TKMS submarine designs at Navantia’s facilities.
Burkhard stressed the importance of shipbuilders cooperating in response to the rising demand for warship construction, with a projected increase of over five percent in the next decade according to a report by Imarc. Alongside the submarine construction, Canada is progressing with the development of River-Class destroyers and expressing interest in smaller, cost-effective corvettes capable of operating in icy conditions.
As Germany lacks modern submarine construction expertise, the planned 12 submarines for Canada will be built there. Burkhard, ahead of his meetings in Ottawa with TKMS partners for the Canadian submarine program, anticipates finalizing the contract with the Canadian government sooner than expected.
While discussing potential collaborations, Burkhard hinted at the prospect of exporting the MEKO A-100 corvette design to Canada for local construction. The Canadian navy identified the need for corvettes, emphasizing the importance of military necessity in procurement discussions. Experts suggest that increased ship production is crucial for national defense readiness.
Acknowledging the challenges in shipbuilding capacity, Burkhard drew parallels to the formation of Airbus in the 1960s, suggesting a similar cooperative approach in the maritime sector. The notion of a maritime Airbus initiative, although complex, presents a potential path for the industry to lead collaborative efforts. The imperative for closer partnerships among European defense companies was underscored in a study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) three years ago, emphasizing the need for improved cooperation despite increased defense spending in European nations.
