Canada Thinking Of Buying Nuclear Submarines

One of Canada's new Victoria class submarines , HMCS Windsor, is docked at the CFB Halifax Dockyard. Sandor Fizli/The Globe and Mail

SSNs For Canada - Potentially A Bargain -- Information Dissemination

CBC News is reporting that the Harper Government is at least pondering the idea of cutting their losses with the Victoria class submarines and replacing them with nuclear submarines. The Victoria class submarines have been plagued with problems since being acquired from the UK, and despite being described as the "military bargain of the century" when purchased for $750 million in 1998, they have become anything but.

The submarines are currently all out of service, with HMCS Victoria the soonest to potentially return to service by late next year. The article describes the issues.

One of the subs, HMCS Chicoutimi, has been in active service of the Royal Canadian Navy exactly two days in the 13 years since it was purchased from the Brits.

The Chicoutimi caught fire on its maiden voyage from the U.K. to Canada, killing one sailor and injuring a number of others.

Read more ....

More News On Canada's Submarine Fleet (Or Lack Of)

Canada may buy nuclear submarines -- CBC
Nuclear submarines for Canada? -- DoD Buzz
Canada flirts with nuclear sub purchase -- UPI
Two subs will be fully operating by late 2012, top sailor pledges -- Globe And Mail
Government Considering Mothballing All Victoria-class Submarines. Peter MacKay Hints At Buying Nuclear Submarines? -- Ottawa Citizen
Canada's ailing submarines -- CBC
Spotted: Much ado about Canada's submarine fleet -- CBC
Should Canada purchase nuclear submarines? (poll) -- CBC

My Comment: The advantage of living in Canada is that over the years I have gotten to know a few people in government. On the issue of submarines, I asked my contacts in the Canadian government a few weeks ago on what was the prospect of buying new subs. The answer I got back was very blunt .... there is no money in the coffers for such a purchase. As for Minister McKay's hint of purchasing such subs .... sorry .... but he dos not have that type of clout in the government.