Babcock Canada will continue providing in-service support for the Royal Canadian Navy’s Victoria-class submarines after securing a six-year extension to its long-standing contract.
The agreement, part of the Victoria In-Service Support Contract (VISSC), allows for further extensions up to the eventual retirement of the fleet as Canada moves to a new submarine fleet.
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Under the latest extension, Babcock remains the principal industry partner delivering maintenance, engineering, and sustainment services for Canada’s existing submarines.
The company has supported the Victoria-class fleet for more than 18 years, developing both a specialised workforce and an extensive domestic supply chain, according to Babcock.
Financial terms of the contract have not been disclosed.
Babcock Canada CEO Tony March said: “Supporting the men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy with a safe and capable submarine fleet is something Babcock is hugely proud of, and this contract extension continues our longstanding partnership and delivery of this important sovereign and strategic capability.
“The extension builds on our core position as Canada’s submarine sustainment partner delivering world-class support and will drive enhanced outcomes for the existing Victoria-class fleet. It will also enable Canada’s submarine sustainment enterprise to achieve a smooth transition to Canada’s future submarine capability.”
Since taking on the VISSC, Babcock Canada has reportedly contributed over C$3.2bn ($2.27bn) in economic impact and supported more than 1,500 Canadian jobs annually.
The company also noted its partnerships with local suppliers, educational institutions, and Indigenous organisations to bolster skills development and innovation within Canada’s industrial base.
The contract extension arrives as Canada advances its Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), which aims to replace the Victoria-class fleet in the 2030s.
Recently, Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) of Germany was named the preferred supplier for the new submarines, beating out competition from South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean.
As part of the CPSP, the Royal Canadian Navy is expected to acquire up to 12 submarines based on TKMS’s 212CD design.
Babcock Canada has indicated its intention to remain involved in submarine sustainment as the country prepares for the broader CPSP procurement.
The company said its experience with the current in-service support programme would ensure Canada’s workforce and supply chain are equipped for the future submarine fleet.
