Overview
- Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who visited Ottawa on Wednesday, used the CANSEC defence fair to press for Canada to join the 212CD programme developed by Germany and Norway.
- ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) is pitching up to 12 conventional 212CD boats with air‑independent propulsion and Arctic-optimized stealth to strengthen Canada’s North Atlantic and Arctic patrols.
- TKMS and Team 212CD are offering technology transfer, local construction work, contracts for Canadian small and medium firms and an industrial link with AI firm Cohere as part of the package.
- South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean remains the main bidder and Ottawa faces a near-term choice that sources say could come before the NATO summit in early July, with the deal seen as a signal about Canada’s strategic orientation.
- A €37 billion order for a dozen boats would boost Canada’s defence output, ease NATO pressure over low spending and create long-term jobs, while Pistorius’ Ottawa visit replaced a planned trip to Washington for scheduling reasons.