A Sovereign
Nation
Engineered here. Trusted everywhere.
A robust navy defense for the largest coastline in the world
The Arctic Submarine Program is a scalable, Canadian-built submersible initiative developed to strengthen Arctic sovereignty, enhance scientific capability, and drive domestic industrial growth. It is a cornerstone of Phase 1 of the Canadian Catalyst Initiative, designed with modularity, affordability, and multi-role utility in mind.
These submarines aren’t just vessels of defense—they are platforms for innovation, guardians of sovereignty, and anchors for economic revival.
Canada’s geography
Internal Waters: ~2.5 million km²
Territorial Sea: ~0.2 million km²
EEZ: ~2.9 million km²
Total Ocean Estate: ~7.1 million km²
Coastline size - 243,797 km
Bordering Bodies of Water: Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and Great Lakes
Data Title: Canada’s Ocean Estate: A description of Canada’s Maritime Zones
From Page: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/40622952.pdf
Number of Submarines by County:
Russia - 63
China - 61
USA - 70
Canada - 4
UK - 9
Australia - 6
Data Title: Submarines by Country 2025
From Page: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/submarines-by-country
Outdated and Outpaced
Reclaiming Our Waters, Rebuilding Our Navy
Canada has the largest coastline in the world. We border three oceans, manage over 7 million square kilometers of ocean estate, and rely on maritime routes for trade, environmental monitoring, and national defense. Yet when you look at our submarine fleet, it pales in comparison to nearly every other major, and even many minor, militaries. While countries like the U.S., China, Russia, and even Iran maintain strong undersea fleets, Canada operates just four aging submarines, all of which are nearing the end of their usefulness.
This isn’t just a military imbalance. It is a strategic vulnerability. And with international offers on the table to sell us submarines for upwards of 20 to 24 billion dollars, we’re faced with a decision. Do we continue outsourcing our sovereignty, or do we use this moment to invest in ourselves?
We already have the resources. Canada’s West Coast is home to a strong, tightly integrated marine manufacturing ecosystem. Zodiac Hurricane, Seaspan, and Cellula Robotics are all within reach. Esquimalt Naval Base offers ideal facilities for testing, training, and operations. We have the knowledge, the coastline, and the industrial heritage. What we lack isn’t capability. It’s direction.
A compact, modular Canadian submarine program could achieve multiple goals at once. It would support Arctic sovereignty, fulfill NATO obligations, generate skilled jobs, and keep billions in the Canadian economy. It would also open doors for foreign military sales, contribute to environmental research, and secure our role in the increasingly important Arctic. At a time when Canadian manufacturers are closing down, skilled trades are underused, and confidence in our future is shaky, this is the kind of project that could bring coherence and purpose back to the national conversation.
Submarines aren’t just tools of defense. They are symbols of self-reliance. They don’t just operate beneath the surface. They protect everything that floats above it. This isn’t about war. It’s about being ready, being present, and building something we can actually be proud of. We don’t need to prove ourselves to the world. We need to remind ourselves what we’re still capable of.
Core Objectives
Arctic Sovereignty & Security
Monitor, patrol, and defend Canada’s northern coastline and the increasingly navigable Northwest Passage.Scientific Exploration & Environmental Monitoring
Enable oceanographic research, climate change studies, and deep-sea mapping through embedded science modules.Economic Activation
Launch a new Canadian defense manufacturing sector using existing West Coast capacity and retooled auto-manufacturing infrastructure.Technological Sovereignty
Reduce dependence on foreign submarine purchases by investing in homegrown design and modular assembly capabilities.
Development
Strategy
🇨🇦 Made in Canada
Design & Assembly Partners:
Zodiac Hurricane (hull and performance platform consultation)
Cellula Robotics (underwater systems, autonomy, and mission tech)
Seaspan Shipyards (modular assembly, logistics, and integration)
Training & Testing:
Esquimalt Naval Base, Vancouver Island
Initial training, marine engineering specialization, simulation centers
Transportation & Deployment:
After testing, subs are transferred via Northern Spine heavy rail to Port Nelson, where they launch into Arctic waters for full operational capability
Allies and Industry
Canada’s Arctic submarine program opens the door to meaningful international partnerships that preserve our independence while enhancing our capabilities. France offers a potential pathway through licensed design architecture and advanced propulsion systems, while Sweden provides expertise in AIP engine technology and winterized modular components suited for Arctic conditions. By remaining outside of AUKUS, Canada maintains its neutrality and sovereignty, while still creating opportunities for foreign military sales to smaller allied nations.
Domestically, the economic and employment impact is substantial. A national submarine program would generate thousands of jobs across fabrication, engineering, logistics, and R&D. It offers a chance to revitalize shuttered automotive plants by repurposing them for component manufacturing and to establish a new naval trades training stream within Canadian post-secondary institutions. Most importantly, it ensures that billions of dollars stay within Canada, resulting in long-term reinvestment, industrial renewal, and a meaningful return on every dollar spent.
Strategic Integration
Connected to the Northern Spine
The submarine program isn’t isolated—it’s part of a sovereign logistical pipeline that links Canada's manufacturing coast to its Arctic deployment coast.Gateway to Arctic Patrol & Research
With Port Nelson and Richards Island serving as future launch points, this fleet ensures permanent Canadian presence in waters previously ignored or assumed safe.
Inspired by The Gotland-class submarines of the Swedish Navy made by Saab, and The Scorpène-class submarines by the French Naval Group.
We need
your help!
The Salish Sea-Class is a modular, Canadian-built submarine fleet designed not for overseas aggression, but for coastal defense, Arctic sovereignty, and industrial revitalization. Unlike billion-dollar imports, this program keeps investment within Canada, leveraging West Coast shipyards, shuttered manufacturing facilities, and homegrown engineering expertise.
The submarines serve multiple roles: they patrol Arctic waters, support scientific research, and ensure logistical readiness in a changing geopolitical landscape. Their production anchors a new marine manufacturing sector, creating high-skilled jobs in fabrication, design, and submersible systems.
As other countries compete for Arctic presence, the Salish Sea-Class ensures that Canada can stand on its own keel—economically, environmentally, and strategicall