In 1987 there was a proposed class of 10 nuclear powered attack submarines to be built for the Canadian Navy. However, the announcement triggered so much criticism…..did I hear politics?….. that the project was cancelled before it could get off the ground. Our navy did have 3 diesel-electric subs that had become obsolete. In 1998 our Navy purchased 4 conventionally powered submarines from Great Britain that the Royal Navy had in storage. The first of these first hit the water in 2005 and since then there have been assorted problems keeping all 4 subs in drydock for repairs much of the time. During a recent 4-year span, all 4 submarines spent a combined total of just 214 days in the water, with 2 of the subs spending no time at sea at all. The federal government’s new defence policy is promising to at least consider expanding and renewing Canada’s submarine fleet and the prime minister doesn’t rule out that nuclear subs could be part of that upgrade. Note the words “consider” and “could be”. When politicians use those words we know they’re worth about as much as a penny which isn’t made anymore because it became essentially worthless. Our new defence policy is designed to bring us closer to our 2% of GDP NATO spending commitment by 2030. Knowing how fast….that’s spelled s-l-o-w….defence procurement works in this country it will be interesting to see if an when we get any kind of new submarines whether this government stays in power or new boys and girls take over. Stay tuned.
That’s Coffeetalk. I’m Vic Dubois.