Prime Minister Carney announced that TKMS is now in the final round of bidding for the Canadian Royal Navy modernisation programme, which involves eight to twelve submarines. During the visit, he highlighted the importance of German-Canadian cooperation in the defence sector.
“We welcome this positive message and stand ready as a reliable partner for Canada’s security and interoperability. Prime Minister Carney’s visit underscores the confidence in our 212CD program,” said Oliver Burkhard, CEO of TKMS. He added: “We have invested around 250 million euros in our Kiel site in recent years and will invest another triple-digit million amount in our Wismar site to offer our customers some of the most modern production conditions in the world. Our conventional submarines currently make up the backbone of the NATO submarine fleet. Today’s exchange is a strong sign of confidence in our capabilities and our commitment to Canada and the Canadian Navy.”
The 212CD class is a German-Norwegian project currently on schedule and on budget. TKMS underlined that these highly advanced conventional submarines are specially designed for Arctic and under-ice operations, meeting all Canadian operational requirements.
Joining the 212CD programme would, according to TKMS, provide immediate benefits through a proven construction plan, reduced costs, and enhanced international cooperation. Long-term collaboration with Canadian industry would create manufacturing opportunities, skilled jobs, and permanent integration into TKMS’s global supply chains.
The newly established TKMS site in Ottawa reflects the company’s local commitment, enabling closer cooperation with Canadian partners and ensuring Canadian Navy requirements are addressed. The outcome of the tender has yet to be decided.
The visit also included a tour of the Kiel facilities, showcasing advanced production technologies and the expertise of TKMS employees. Guests observed the scale of the company’s investment and the role of German engineering in submarine construction.
TKMS currently reports strong economic performance with an increasing order book. At the end of 2024, the company received an order for four additional submarines from Germany, while two more from Singapore have further strengthened its international position. As of August 2025, TKMS holds an order backlog of 18.5 billion euros.
