Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee says the Royal Canadian Navy could end up with submarines supplied by both companies vying for Ottawa’s lucrative sub procurement contract—and there could be advantages to diversifying the fleet.
Topshee also says the simplest solution would be to operate 12 submarines from just one supplier, which would ensure all the parts and weapons systems are the same.
Topshee did not express a preference either way in a recent interview with The Canadian Press, saying it’s ultimately up to the federal government to decide.
Some defence experts warn that splitting the contract between two bidders would introduce complications for the navy and likely would eliminate any domestic industrial benefits that could come from a single contract….