TKMS has been downselected as one of two qualified suppliers in the Canadian tender for the procurement of eight to twelve submarines
The Canadian delegation, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Defense Minister David McGuinty, visited the shipyard in Kiel. Together with German DefenseMinister Boris Pistorius, Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister President Daniel Günther, and other guests, they gained insights into the 212CD program. TKMS is now in the final round of bidding for the Canadian Royal Navy (CRN) modernization program for eight to twelve submarines. This was announced by Prime Minister Carney during his visit.
„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 also emphasized: „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.“
212CD program to strengthen German-Canadian partnership
TKMS produces a highly advanced conventional (non-nuclear) submarine with the 212CD class. The German-Norwegian project is currently on schedule and on budget. The boats are specially designed for use in the Arctic and under ice and, in TKMS’s view, meet all Canadian operational requirements.
Joining the 212CD program offers immediate benefits: ongoing construction plan, proven technology, lower cost, and enhanced international cooperation. Close cooperation with Canadian industry will create long-term manufacturing opportunities, high-quality jobs, and the permanent integration of Canadian companies into TKMS’s global supply chains. The newly established TKMS site in Ottawa deepens the company’s local commitment, enabling even closer cooperation with existing and potential Canadian partners and ensuring that the specific requirements of the Canadian Navy are met. The outcome of the tender is still pending.
The delegation’s visit included a tour of the various shipyard facilities and products, showcasing the advanced manufacturing technologies and expertise of TKMS employees.
TKMS with record order backlog
TKMS is economically strong, internationally experienced, and is seeing a positive trend in orders. At the end of 2024, the company received an order for four additional submarines from Germany, while the recent signing of a contract for two more submarines from Singapore further strengthened its positioning in the international market. These successes have increased the order book (as of August 2025) to 18.5 billion euros.
