“Side by side with Canada”

Visit to the alliance partner

Pistorius promotes submarines: “Side by side with Canada”

The German Defense Minister is campaigning for the construction of modern submarines in Canada. Pistorius sees this as an opportunity for a closer partnership and greater security in the North Atlantic.

Strategic partnership with NATO partner Canada: Defense Minister Boris Pistorius promoted the construction of German submarines in Ottawa. “We want to ensure security side by side in the North Atlantic, the Far North and yes also the Arctic,” said the SPD politician during a visit to the Canadian arms and security conference Cansec. Pistorius said: “It’s about a strategic partnership with Canada.”

Germany wants to win Canada as a partner for a joint submarine partnership with Norway. The Kiel submarine builder TKMS believes it is in a promising position for a major order for a dozen boats. However, competition comes from South Korea.

Discussions are ongoing in the background about extensive counter-trades as part of an overall package. TKMS is one of the world’s leading companies in the construction of non-nuclear submarines.

Pistorius also met his Canadian counterpart David McGuinty and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The agenda for the trip includes joint security, arms cooperation, aid for Ukraine and preparation for the NATO summit planned for July.

Canada, Germany and Norway could exchange and share the expertise of German submarine builders, infrastructure and experiences, Pistorius said. “Together we can build the world’s largest and most modern conventional submarine fleet. That would also be a real asset for NATO.”

With the construction of 12 submarines, thousands of jobs can be created and maintained for a long time. “We expect economic added value for Canada alone in the three-digit billion range,” Pistorius told the hosts.

Canada would then also have submarines that were “state of the art”. “Submarines that are practically undetectable in action. There is nothing comparable among conventional submarines,” said Pistorius, who has repeatedly campaigned for the German arms industry abroad.

Prime Minister Carney said at Cansec that a decision on the purchase of the submarines would be made by the end of June. Pistorius said that he expected this to happen before the NATO summit planned in Ankara in July.

Carney also announced that his country had entered into negotiations to purchase Swedish Saab “GlobalEye” reconnaissance aircraft. Germany is also considering purchasing these machines. It is the declared goal of NATO allies to procure more largely identical systems. However, this has often not been successful so far.

Since July 2024, Canada has been linked to Germany, Norway and now also Denmark via a Maritime Security Partnership. Armament cooperation is part of this partnership.

Unlike previous visits to North America, Pistorius will not travel onward to talks with the US government in Washington. The German Ministry of Defense pointed out that US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth is currently taking part in the Asian security conference Shangri-La Dialogue. Pistorius is scheduled to visit the United States later.