Dalhousie signs MOU to join TKMS-led innovation ecosystem focused on Canadian and Arctic sovereignty
Press Release + Noah Note
Dalhousie University and TKMS, a German provider of integrated system solutions in maritime defense technologies with more than 180 years of experience in naval engineering, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore strategic collaboration related to the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. TKMS is one of two qualified suppliers selected by the Government of Canada to bid on the procurement program, which will construct a new submarine fleet deployable in the Arctic.
The MOU was signed in Halifax during a visit by TKMS representatives to Dalhousie’s campus where they met with leading faculty members and their research teams. The delegation also toured research facilities across the university that showcased Dalhousie’s depth of expertise in key areas, including fundamental and applied research in complex marine and Arctic environments.
The agreement will see Dalhousie join as a partner in the company’s Canadian Defence and Dual-Use Innovation Ecosystem (CDDE). Launched earlier in February with Western University as its first academic partner, the CDDE aims to bring together select Canadian universities, industry, Indigenous partners, government, and organizations to accelerate research, training and knowledge translation focused on maritime defence and dual-use applications. Dual-use research advances technologies that have both civilian and national security purposes, supporting areas such as cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, public safety, economic growth and national resilience.
“Dalhousie is pleased to enter into this MOU with TKMS and to support the research and talent capacity at our university that is recognized as part of TKMS’s vision for the Canadian Defence and Dual-Use Innovation Ecosystem,” says Dr. Graham Gagnon, vice-president, research and innovation. “We believe this initiative has significant potential to translate research excellence into national sovereignty and long-term public and economic benefit for Nova Scotia and Canada.”
Discussions during the visit focused on how the partnership could serve as a strategic platform to support Canadian sovereignty, deepen national and international collaboration, accelerate applied dual-use research, and create pathways from research to commercial outcomes. The agreement also opens opportunities to explore new learning pathways for students.
“The planned collaboration with Dalhousie University enriches the CDDE with another high-ranking institution and thus with comprehensive innovation and research power,” says Dr. Jeronimo Dzaack, vice president portfolio, technology & innovation at TKMS. “We are very pleased that the agreement concluded will contribute to transforming visionary ideas and creative approaches into groundbreaking systems and solutions for the maritime defense industry in Canada and other European and NATO countries.”
Dalhousie has a long history of working with Canada’s defence and aerospace community and industry partners. This includes a current research program with Defence Research and Development Canada focused on employing advanced manufacturing to develop critical parts and processes for the Royal Canadian Navy. It also includes a cybersecurity research program in partnership with Calian, a Canadian company that provides mission-critical solutions for defence, space and other sectors to help leaders understand how everyday digital activity creates exploitable risks.
Noah Note: A second University joins the Canadian Defence & Dual-Use Innovation Ecosystem after Western. Dalhousie is a natural fit for this kind of initative with it's long history of security and defence collaboration with Canada. I applaude them for taking this step, and for TKMS in trying to build an academic ecosystem that can support the future Canadian Patrol Submarine.
Canadian universities punch above their weight globally. They are one if the best, most reliable options we have to help support R&D and Innovation. Canadians ourselves are overabundent in international programs, often in the top five foreign atudent groups at many top universities globally.
Leveraging that is an asset. Creating the funnel from University to high-value industry is an important way that industry can help support Canada’s long-term outlooks. Industry, at the end of the day, is a major partner in innovation. The more they put in, the better in my books. So I applaude TKMS for at least trying to do something more formal and official.