Babcock Canada (Babcock) is further enhancing its partnership with Larus to develop an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) sovereign compute platform designed to transform submarine maintenance, sustainment, and operational readiness.
Building on Babcock’s work as the Prime Contractor of the Victoria In-Service Support Contract, the partnership combines our operational expertise with Larus’ leading AI capabilities, creating a highly secure and predictive system that enables faster and more informed submarine maintenance decision-making.
Within a secure environment, the new platform analyzes high volumes of data through the integration of complex submarine maintenance schedules, engineering modifications, mission-critical enhancements, risk assessments, and operational considerations, allowing the software to identify patterns, anticipate risks, and build efficiencies.
Babcock first partnered with Larus in 2025 to develop a machine-learning driven predictive support simulation and optimization proof-of-concept for complex fleets. As part of the development process, Babcock and Larus successfully tested an early version of the predictive framework using real-world complex asset management data from a non-defence program. The trial demonstrated the platform’s ability to analyze complex maintenance and operational information in a secure environment, validating the foundational capabilities required to support highly sensitive sovereign defence and submarine sustainment data.
“Together with Larus, we continue to innovate and push the envelope to build efficiency by creating a secure, predictive planning framework that allows us to model complex submarine sustainment activities, evaluate maintenance requirements, and develop contingency plans before challenges emerge,” said Tony March, Chief Executive Officer, Babcock Canada.
“Beyond improving today’s sustainment operations, this technology will help inform the workforce, skills and industrial capacity requirements needed to support Canada’s future submarine fleet. As Canada moves from a fleet of four submarines to up to twelve under the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, predictive planning and data-driven decision-making will be essential to ensuring the right people, capabilities, and infrastructure are in place to support the delivery of readily available and safe submarines,” added March.
“Canada’s defence programs need trusted AI that is built and operated at home. Babcock has shown real leadership by bringing Canadian SMEs like Larus into its core programs and investing in sovereign capability here in Canada. Together, we are proving that Canadian industry is ready to deliver,” said George Di Nardo, Chief Executive Officer, Larus Technologies.
The technology has significant potential beyond submarine sustainment and could be scaled across Canada’s wider defence sectors to support future maintenance, readiness, and operational planning requirements. This strategic research and development collaboration will help strengthen Canadian industrial capability and Canada’s position as an AI leader.
To further strengthen the partnership, the companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding designating Larus as Babcock Canada’s preferred AI supplier and will join Babcock’s established pan- Canadian supply chain network.
About Babcock
For over 18 years, Babcock has been proud to play a critical role in supporting Canada’s safety and security, delivering engineering and critical support services to defence and civil customers.
In the marine industry, Babcock is proud to be a trusted partner of the Royal Canadian Navy working side-by-side with the Canadian Government and their partners as the Prime Contractor on the Victoria In-Service Support Contract, to deliver Canada’s only industry-led in-service support program.
At Babcock, we are proud to be a trusted partner of the Canadian Armed Forces and Armed Forces of allied nations around the world. Babcock’s mission is guided by the needs of our customers, we ensure their services and assets are equipped to fulfill their customers’ missions wherever, whenever, and however needed.
About Larus
Founded in 1995 by George Di Nardo, formerly of the Canadian Space Agency, Larus is an Ottawa-based AI company with more than 30 years’ experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, as well as modelling and simulation. Our deep expertise in defence and security dates back to our first project with the Canadian Armed Forces in 1999.
At Larus, we develop world-leading solutions for big data analytics and AI/ML software, turning complex data into decisive action for some of the world’s most demanding industries. These include defence, public safety, and enterprise applications.
Noah Note: The integration of AI and Machine Learning into the shipbuilding and ISS sectors isn't a new develooment, far from it, across the spectrum shipyards and supporters are moving to integrate more and more AI systems and automation into the support process.
Babcock and Larus seem like great fit for eachother, and with Babcock angling hard to jump on CPSP ISS, building oit their network and supply chain with a focus on modern, advanced sustainment infrastructure, like AI integration, is a good show that the company is willing to put in the work to support an expanded fleet.
Either way, Interested to see where this goes.