Secretary of state says Canada not looking to split submarine contract

By Canadian Press on March 5, 2026.

OTTAWA — Canada’s secretary of state for defence procurement says the government is planning to choose just one company to build the country’s next fleet of submarines.

Stephen Fuhr says the Canadian position has not changed, despite media reports this week suggesting the government might split the contract.

Two companies are in the final stages of a heated competition for a multi-billion dollar deal to build up to 12 submarines.

Germany’s TKMS and South Korea’s Hanwha Oceans submitted final proposals this week and both are sponsoring a major defence and security conference in Ottawa.

Speaking at the Conference of Defence Associations Institute today, Fuhr described the accelerated submarine procurement process as a success story.

Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, the Navy’s commander, told the same audience today it’s more efficient to have a fleet from one provider and he believes that is what the government will do.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 5, 2026.

Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press