Submarine bids could bring economic benefits to Maritimes

A South Korean company could be ready to make significant investments in the Maritimes.

Competition is ramping up to build Canada’s next fleet of submarines.

A government delegation is in South Korea as that country and Germany are both offering benefits for in Canada.

Defence analyst Ken Hansen said new submarines are “essential” for the Royal Canadian Navy.

“Every naval force is able to operate in the air, on the surface and under the sea,” Hansen said.

Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean have been shortlisted as potential suppliers.

Both companies have signed memorandums of understanding with Canadian partners to highlight the economic benefits of their respective submissions.

“They have submitted a letter of interest for the old Imperial Oil site where they would build a submarine maintenance facilities of some kind or perhaps even an assembly facility,” Hansen said of the South Korea bid.

Premier Tim Houston met with Hanwha officials in late January to discuss Nova Scotia’s role in the submarine project.

“Maintaining Canada’s next fleet of east coast submarines will mean a substantial infrastructure investment and approximately 700 high-skilled jobs in the province for the next 30 years,” a statement from the premier’s office reads.

Stephen Fuhr, Canada’s secretary of state for defence procurement, said any agreement will for a long-term partnership.

“This is now evolved into a government-to-government situation,” Fuhr said. “It’s a big, big procurement. This is going to be a relationship with the winner for years, decades to come.”

Much like the French did with the nuclear submarine Tourville last March in Halifax, the Koreans will sail one of their attack subs to Canada this spring. Their destination is Vancouver.

ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Hanwha Ocean have to submit their final bids by March 2.