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. Oliver Burkhard emphasized TKMS’s recent partnership with Spanish government-owned Navantia S.A., exploring joint naval projects and potentially producing TKMS submarine designs at Navantia’s shipyards in Spain. Burkhard stressed the importance of shipbuilder cooperation in light of the rising demand for warship construction, projected to increase by over five percent in the next decade according to a report by Imarc.
Apart from submarines, the Canadian navy is progressing with the construction of River-Class destroyers and considering the addition of smaller, cost-effective corvettes with ice-capable features. While Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax is handling the destroyer construction under the National Shipbuilding Program, the submarines, lacking modern building expertise in Canada, are slated for construction in Germany. Burkhard, ahead of his visit to Ottawa, met with TKMS partners involved in supplying Canada’s submarine program, following the Carney government’s selection of TKMS as the preferred submarine supplier.
Burkhard also hinted at the possibility of supplying TKMS’s MEKO A-100 corvette design to a Canadian shipyard, potentially enhancing Canada’s defense-industrial base. The concept, though not part of the submarine bid, remains under consideration. The Canadian navy identified the need for corvettes last year, recognizing the strategic importance of smaller but high-impact warships for coastal defense. Experts like Rob Huebert endorse the procurement of additional ships for the navy, emphasizing the importance of military necessity over economic benefits.
Highlighting the significance of closer cooperation among European shipyards, Burkhard drew parallels to the formation of Airbus in the 1960s, driven by similar market dynamics in the aerospace industry. While acknowledging the complexity of establishing a maritime equivalent of Airbus, Burkhard proposed industry-led initiatives to foster collaboration beyond political constraints. The necessity for enhanced partnerships among European defense companies was underscored by a study from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) three years ago, emphasizing the growing defense expenditures in Europe alongside diminishing cooperation levels.