Defence Investment Agency seeks input from Canadian industry on future submarine fleet sustainment

Press Release + Noah Note

March 6, 2026 - Ottawa, Ontario

The Government of Canada is modernizing and accelerating defence procurement through the Defence Investment Agency (DIA). By streamlining decisions and centralizing expertise, the Agency is expediting the delivery of mission-critical equipment to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

Canada’s vast coastline and Arctic responsibilities require a modern submarine fleet with long- range, long‑endurance and under-ice capabilities. The future Canadian Patrol Submarine will give the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) the stealth and persistence needed to protect national security, assert Arctic sovereignty, and support Canada’s international security commitments. The project will also strengthen domestic defence and marine industries, and create good-paying jobs across the country.

In August 2025, the Government of Canada identified two qualified suppliers for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP): Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems, supported by Germany and Norway, and Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd., supported by the Republic of Korea. By narrowing the competition to two qualified suppliers, Canada has advanced the procurement timeline by several years, ensuring the RCN receives this capability far earlier. In November 2025, proposal instructions were issued to both firms, with a deadline of March 2, 2026. Both proposals have been received and are currently under review. We expect a decision, as early as summer 2026, as to which of the two qualified suppliers will be chosen as the preferred supplier for contract negotiations.

Today, the Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement), announced that the DIA has launched a Request for Information (RFI) to engage Canadian industry on the sustainment of the future fleet.

Input from Canadian industry is vital to shaping a strong and effective sustainment approach for Canada’s future submarine capability. Through this RFI, we are inviting feedback from companies nationwide, spanning defence and non‑traditional sectors, and including businesses of all sizes. Recognizing the scale and long‑term nature of the sustainment work, engaging industry across sectors and of all sizes ensures Canadian businesses are positioned to explore and pursue the opportunities this project may create.

Sustainment activities for the Canadian Patrol Submarine fleet will be conducted in Canada, in or near homeports, supported by a national supply chain. This supports Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), maximizing economic benefits and creating thousands of highly skilled, well‑paid jobs across the country.

Through the DIS, Canada is growing its defence industrial base, with the Agency delivering this approach by engaging industry earlier in the procurement process, fostering innovation, and aligning procurement with long‑term military and industrial priorities. Together, the DIA and the DIS are making generational investments that strengthen Canada’s defence ecosystem, build resilient supply chains, and ensure the CAF has the capabilities it needs to keep Canada safe and sovereign.

RFI for Sustainment for the Canadian Patrol Submarine

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Quotes

“The scale of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project represents a generational opportunity to strengthen Canada’s economy and sovereign capabilities. By engaging industry early through this RFI, we are ensuring Canadian companies are positioned to lead the sustainment of this fleet, anchor critical supply chains, and build the advanced industrial capacity our country requires. The Defence Investment Agency will continue driving this procurement forward so the Royal Canadian Navy receives the capability it needs, while Canada secures long‑term economic and strategic advantages at home.”

The Honourable Stephen Fuhr

Secretary of State (Defence Procurement)

“Through this Request for Information, we are sending a clear signal: Canada will not only acquire a new submarine fleet, we will build the industrial capacity to sustain it here at home. Engaging Canadian companies early allows us to shape a sovereign, resilient sustainment model that protects a critical strategic capability, strengthens supply chains from coast to coast to coast, and creates highly skilled jobs for Canadians. This is about ensuring our Arctic sovereignty, supporting our allies, and making generational investments that deliver real economic and security returns for Canada.”

The Honourable Joël Lightbound

Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant

“Leveraging the expertise of Canadian industry to sustain our future submarine fleet is an investment in the readiness of our maritime forces, the strength of our workforce, and the growth of our economy. By establishing a sovereign sustainment framework aligned with the needs of the Royal Canadian Navy and the capabilities of Canadian industry, we are strengthening Canada’s security and resilience for generations to come.”

The Honourable David J. McGuinty

Minister of National Defence

“Canada’s sovereignty and national security rely on a strong domestic industrial base that drives defence readiness and economic resilience and creates good jobs for Canadians. By engaging with industry, our government is ensuring that major defence procurements generate maximum economic returns at home and expand opportunities for Canadian companies.”

The Honourable Mélanie Joly

Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

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Quick facts

• On February 17, 2026, the Prime Minister launched Canada’s first DIS to transform our defence industries by prioritizing Canadian suppliers and materials, investing in Canadian innovation and commercialisation, and streamlining procurement to give businesses consistent and predictable demand. The Strategy also identifies in‑service support as a sovereign capability.

• On October 2, 2025, the Prime Minister announced the creation of the DIA. This new special operating agency was established to strengthen Canada’s defence procurement system. It marks a major advancement in modernizing the process, aimed at rebuilding, rearming and reinvesting in the CAF to address evolving global threats and meet operational requirements.

• The CPSP and RFI is part of the first wave of high-priority defence procurements transferred to the DIA.

• The DIA is modernizing defence procurement for the Government of Canada. The Agency is accelerating mission-critical equipment delivery to the CAF by centralizing expertise and streamlining decisions.

• The RCN’s current submarine fleet will remain operational into the mid-to-late 2030s. To ensure a smooth transition between classes without a capability gap, the RCN requires its first new submarine to be delivered no later than 2035.

• Submarines are a key element of a balanced fleet that enables the RCN to project power responsively and effectively far from Canada’s shores, with the inherent flexibility and staying power required to succeed across a broad mission set.

• The CPSP was established in 2021 to inform timely governmental decision-making about a potential replacement class of submarines and avoid any gap in Canadian submarine capabilities. The intention of the project is to acquire up to 12 conventionally powered submarines for the RCN.

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Noah Note: A late friday treat for everyone. I'm happy to see engagement on the sustainment side of things being done early into the process and in tandem with the evaluation of both current bids. Both operating in tandem will allow the Federal government to get an Industry-wide perspextive of Canada’s capabilities and expectations at the same time as they are engaging both potential suppliers on their respective sustainment packages.

There has been a renewed desire to put focus on In-Service Support and Sustainment contracts. Far too often Canada has engaged to late, inadequately, or dissected from the reality on the ground when it comes to supporting many of the new fleets that are coming into service. Fleets that too often exceed our expectations and demands for how much work they require to go into them.

Many will point to the F-35 but it is far from the only platform who has had to play the catch-up or delay to the governments speed on this file. STTC ISS is one we spoke about a few weeks ago as one that has been fairly delayed and slow. The Leopard fleet for years sat without the proper support infrastructure and background they needed to maintain an optimal readiness. Even then, KNDS is still not at the point with their maintinence facilities are at full capacity from their 2024 deal.

Across the board the story is the same. The process is slow, fractured, or bogged down. Engaging with Industry early in this process, especially on such a large project is critical to its long-term success. So of course if you're actively engaged in the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, or if you're someone who feels they have the means to contribute, I very much implore and encourage you to participate in this RFI and make your concerns and thoughts know.

For the sake of fairness, and for proper engagement. I have included the background information of the RFI here for everyone to see without the need for a SAP account

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Notice of Proposed Procurement (NPP) - Request for Information (RFI) for the Sustainment of the Canadian Patrol Submarine

Background

The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) was launched in 2021 to explore options for replacing Canada’s Victoria-class submarines (VCS). With these submarines scheduled to start decommissioning in the next 10 years, Canada plans to procure up to twelve (12) conventionally powered submarines to secure Canadian sovereignty and meet growing global security challenges. Backed by the Government of Canada’s updated defence policy, Our North, Strong and Free, the plan includes renewing and expanding Canada’s submarine fleet. While the submarines will be procured from a foreign builder in a Military-Off-The-Shelf (MOTS) acquisition, they will be sustained, to the maximum extent possible, in Canada.

With the return to great power competition and an increasingly multi-polar world, timely investment in Canadian defence is critical. Submarine replacement as well as their sustainment are a key capability that will ensure the Canadian Armed Forces are ready, capable, and equipped for the future. Respecting the Defence Procurement Strategy, Canada is applying the Sustainment Business Case Analysis (SBCA) process to develop the Canadian Patrol Submarine Sustainment Enterprise (CPS SE). The resultant sustainment model is presented in Annex A - CONSUP. This work, along with industry’s input and involvement, will help ensure Canada’s submarines are reliable, effective, and ready when needed—at home and abroad.

Planning for Canada’s Future Submarine Support

The CPS SE is being shaped by the experience gained from supporting the Victoria-class submarines, input from government experts, international best practices, and insights from modern submarine builders. These considerations will guide how Canada supports its future fleet and what must be expected from manufacturers during acquisition. Although the specific submarine has not been chosen, planning for long-term support is already underway. This early work ensures Canada can make informed decisions about costs, infrastructure, readiness, as well as inform key sustainment elements required at acquisition. Continued momentum, especially with Canadian industry, will ensure that the support system is in place when the first CPS submarine arrives.

Building a Strong Support System for Canada’s Future Submarines

The goal is to create a sustainment enterprise that keeps submarines mission-ready, environmentally compliant, and effective throughout their service life. A properly resourced sustainment enterprise will require growth in both government and industry to meet future submarine support demands. The team charged with designing our future Sustainment Enterprise is focused on a support solution that does exactly this: grow Canadian industrial capacity; meet the RCN’s needs; and make best use of available resources. Input from Canadian industry will help refine the sustainment solution to meet Canada’s best interests.

Analysis completed to date shows that Canada’s current support system for the Victoria-class is not equipped to handle a future fleet of up to 12 new submarines. CPSP is assessing how to best ensure future support systems are built into the delivery plan. This includes preparing for new technologies, patriation of supply chains, and workforce demands.

The SBCA team is also exploring how to align with broader defence initiatives, including the Continuous Capability Sustainment (CCS) and the Defence Industrial Strategy. This approach focuses on keeping equipment reliable and up to date by proactive maintenance, software upgrades, and technological improvements through continuous planning and budgeting.

With detailed planning now, Canada can ensure its next-generation submarines remain reliable, effective, and ready to meet future threats.

Purpose and Nature of the Request for Information (RFI)

Industry involvement and feedback is critical to the success of the sustainment of our future submarine fleet. Canada intends to use this RFI process to:

• Present to industry, for consideration, the proposed Concept of Support (CONSUP) (RFI Annex A – CONSUP) which is anticipated to form the basis for the Sustainment Enterprise (SE) framework for the Canadian Patrol Submarine;

• Seek feedback on the CPS SE sustainment concepts, outcomes, and Integrated Sustainment Enterprise Team (ISET) construct via questions provided in RFI Annexes B-O;

• Provide an overview of the, expected implementation timeline, application of Value Proposition (VP), and the Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) framework; and

• Ensure fairness and transparency by providing all interested participants with the same information.

The information provided by industry will be used to inform Canada’s options analyses while developing the procurement and sustainment strategies and the final sustainment solution to best optimize the principles of performance, value for money, flexibility and economic benefits for Canada. Through this RFI, we are inviting feedback from companies nationwide, spanning both defence and nontraditional sectors and including businesses of all sizes.

This RFI is neither a call for tender nor a Request for Proposal (RFP). No agreement or contract will be entered into based on this RFI. The issuance of this RFI is not to be considered in any way a commitment by Canada, nor considered as a commitment to issue a subsequent solicitation or to award contract(s) for the work described herein.

Objective of this RFI

This RFI focuses on specific components of the Sustainment Enterprise that Canada must design in parallel with platform acquisition. Industry input is sought to help define:

Canadian industrial roles in sustaining MOTS submarines;

• Partnering approaches between Canadian industry and the submarine supplier;

• Integration of Canadian firms into maintenance, repair and overhaul, and modernization activities;

• Technical data, digital systems, and infrastructure capabilities required to achieve Canadian sustainment autonomy; and

• Approaches for selecting and contracting Canadian Industry Partners to support long-term in-service support.

The feedback will inform Canada’s Sustainment Enterprise architecture, contracting strategy, and the roadmap for integrating Canadian industry with the selected submarine builder.

In short, Canada is in the Sustainment Enterprise design phase of the CPSP roadmap, following the down-selection of qualified builders and ahead of final acquisition decisions. The RFI seeks information that will shape how Canada sustains the future submarine fleet and sustainment requirements that must be embedded at time of acquisition.