On July 6, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the Government of Canada has selected German-based firm as the preferred bidder for the Patrol Submarine Project. The announcement 鈥斕齱hich took place in Halifax, home of the Royal Canadian Navy鈥檚 East Coast fleet 鈥� represents a crucial milestone in the project to construct a new Canadian submarine fleet deployable in the Arctic.
蘑菇AV and TKMS, a provider of integrated system solutions in maritime defense technologies with more than 180 years of experience in naval engineering, recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore strategic collaboration related to the project.
The federal bid announcement also comes just one week after TKMS announced their Trusted and Secure Air to Sea Communication System project, which will see researchers from 蘑菇AV, Western, and UBC teaming up to develop and demonstrate a secure, hybrid-network communications system under realistic Arctic conditions. The goal is 听a rugged, compact radio platform that creates a reliable communications backbone linking drones, surface vessels and underwater assets. This pilot project is the first under TKMS鈥� (CDDE).
Powerful partnership
The MOU between 蘑菇AV and TKMS was signed in Halifax this winter during a campus visit by TKMS representatives, where they met with leading faculty members and their research teams. The delegation also toured research facilities across the university that showcased 蘑菇AV鈥檚 depth of expertise in key areas, including fundamental and applied research in complex marine and Arctic environments.
蘑菇AV has a long history of working with Canada鈥檚 defence and aerospace community and industry partners. This includes a current research program with Defence Research and Development Canada focused on employing advanced manufacturing to develop critical parts and processes for the Royal Canadian Navy. It also includes a cybersecurity research program in partnership with Calian, a Canadian company that provides mission-critical solutions for defence, space and other sectors to help leaders understand how everyday digital activity creates exploitable risks.
The agreement will see 蘑菇AV join as a partner in the company鈥檚 the听 (CDDE), which brings together select Canadian universities, industry, Indigenous partners, government, and organizations to accelerate research, training and knowledge translation focused on maritime defence and dual-use applications. Dual-use research advances technologies that have both civilian and national security purposes, supporting areas such as cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, public safety, economic growth and national resilience.
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We believe this initiative has significant potential to translate research excellence into national sovereignty and long-term public and economic benefit for Nova Scotia and Canada.
鈥溎⒐紸V is pleased to enter into this MOU with TKMS and to support the research and talent capacity at our university that is recognized as part of TKMS鈥檚 vision for the Canadian Defence and Dual-Use Innovation Ecosystem,鈥� says Dr. Graham Gagnon, vice-president, research and innovation. 鈥淲e believe this initiative has significant potential to translate research excellence into national sovereignty and long-term public and economic benefit for Nova Scotia and Canada.
Discussions during the visit focused on how the partnership could serve as a strategic platform to support Canadian sovereignty, deepen national and international collaboration, accelerate applied dual-use research, and create pathways from research to commercial outcomes. The agreement also opens opportunities to explore new learning pathways for students.
蘑菇AV's Emera IDEA Building on Sexton Campus. (Nick Pearce archive photo)
鈥淭he planned collaboration with 蘑菇AV enriches the CDDE with another high-ranking institution and thus with comprehensive innovation and research power,鈥� says Dr. Jeronimo Dzaack, vice president portfolio, technology & innovation at TKMS. 鈥淲e are very pleased that the agreement concluded will contribute to transforming visionary ideas and creative approaches into groundbreaking systems and solutions for the maritime defense industry in Canada and other European and NATO countries.鈥�
Editor鈥檚 note: This story has been updated and republished to reflect the announcement of TKMS as the successful preferred bidder to construct the next generation of Canadian submarines.听