Canada to Select Navy Submarine Supplier in 2026

OTTAWA — The Canadian federal government is poised to announce the winner of a major competition to supply the Royal Canadian Navy with up to 12 new submarines as early as this year, according to the secretary of state for defence procurement.

Stephen Fuhr made the remarks on February 10, 2026, ahead of a House of Commons committee meeting. He indicated that Ottawa will "probably" select a contractor in 2026, with the new vessels expected to enter service by 2032. Fuhr emphasized the urgency of the decision, noting that preparations for supporting infrastructure must begin promptly to accommodate the arriving submarines.

The procurement process addresses a critical gap in Canada's naval capabilities. The Royal Canadian Navy currently operates four Victoria-class submarines, acquired in the 1990s, which are facing increasing maintenance challenges and operational limitations. Officials have described the fleet as rapidly aging, prompting a push to replace them within the next decade to maintain undersea surveillance and deterrence in the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific regions.

The multibillion-dollar contract represents one of the largest defence acquisitions in Canadian history....