Canada-class submarine
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Canada class |
| Operators: |
 Canadian Forces
|
| Cost: | Est. $8 billion CDN |
| Planned: | 10 (option for 2 more) |
| Cancelled: | 10 |
The Canada-class submarine was a proposed class of 10 nuclear-powered attack submarines to be built for Canadian Armed Forces Maritime Command, with an option for two more. Announced in 1987, the class was intended to provide Maritime Command with a method in monitoring Canada's Arctic Ocean area while establishing Canadian sovereignty in the area. The announcement suffered significant public and private criticism and the project was cancelled before any of the submarines could be built.
In March 1958, the Royal Canadian Navy began reviewing the possibility of acquiring nuclear-powered submarines under then-Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Harry DeWolf. This led to the creation of the Nuclear Submarine Survey Team (NSST), whose purpose was to investigate the feasibility of nuclear-powered submarines for Canada. The NSST delivered their final report in June 1959 recommending the American Skipjack class as the design of choice, and the acquisition of five of the submarines.
Under the new Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Herbert Rayner, the proposal was presented to the Cabinet of Canada suggesting the acquisition of 12 new submarines. However, due to cost, the Navy offered the cheaper alternative of conventionally-powered submarines. The Cabinet approved the initial proposal in January 1960, but deferred the decision on the type of submarine until March. By August 1960, the nuclear-powered submarine option was passed over for conventionally-powered subs. In the end, Canada chose the British diesel-electric Oberon class.
In the early 1980s, Maritime Command (formally the Royal Canadian Navy) began a program to replace the aging Oberons. Dubbed the Canadian Submarine Acquisition Program (CASAP), they recommended a building program of 4 to 12 submarines with under-ice capability. The report was presented to the Minister of National Defence in 1985, Erik Nielsen with only plans for conventionally-powered submarines. Nielsen requested more information on the possibility of nuclear-powered submarines. The study ordered by Nielsen, named the Nuclear Submarine Option Study (NSOS), claimed that British or French designs could be built in Canada for approximately C$5 billion. This study would shape the policy promoted in the 1987 White Paper on Defence.
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