As Canada advances plans for its next generation of submarines, a new partnership is bringing together two globally recognized defence players to strengthen the training and sustainment backbone of the Royal Canadian Navy’s future underwater fleet.
CAE has announced a teaming agreement with TKMS in support of the German shipbuilder’s pursuit of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP)—a program that will shape Canada’s submarine capability for decades to come.
The agreement aligns TKMS’s deep experience in submarine design and construction with CAE’s global leadership in simulation-based training and mission-system support. Together, the two organizations aim to deliver an integrated training and sustainment framework designed specifically for the operational realities of Canada’s future submarine fleet.
At the heart of the collaboration is a shared focus on preparing Royal Canadian Navy crews for the complexity and pressure of modern undersea operations.
“CAE is proud to stand with TKMS as Canada moves forward on its next generation of submarine capability,” said Matt Bromberg, President and CEO, CAE. “Submarine operations demand precision, teamwork and absolute readiness. Our core responsibility is to give Royal Canadian Navy crews training that reflects the pressure and complexity they will face at sea. CAE has spent decades preparing naval teams around the world through advanced simulation and mission-ready training. We bring that experience and a strong commitment to Canadian industry and to this partnership. Together, we are strengthening the RCN’s readiness and supporting Canada’s long-term security.”
Preparing Crews for the Modern Undersea Battlespace
Submarine operations are among the most technically demanding missions in naval warfare. Crews operate in confined environments where split-second decisions, flawless teamwork, and deep technical knowledge can determine mission success.
Under the terms of the teaming agreement, CAE will support TKMS’s CPSP bid by developing a comprehensive training and sustainment capability tailored to the Royal Canadian Navy’s future submarines. Central to the effort will be advanced simulation environments designed to replicate real-world submarine operations as closely as possible.
Such high-fidelity training systems allow crews to rehearse complex scenarios before ever deploying at sea—building the confidence, coordination, and operational instinct required for submarine missions.
The goal is to ensure that RCN crews are fully prepared for the operational demands of the modern maritime environment, from Arctic patrols to multinational coalition operations.
A Partnership Anchored in Operational Readiness
For TKMS, the partnership with CAE strengthens its ability to offer a fully integrated capability package for Canada’s submarine program—one that extends beyond platform design and construction to include long-term training and readiness.
“Training is a critical pillar of operational effectiveness for modern naval forces,” said Oliver Burkhard, CEO, TKMS. “Through this agreement with CAE, we are strengthening our ability to deliver an integrated and sustainable training solution as part of Canada’s Patrol Submarine Project. We value CAE’s global expertise in simulation and training technologies and look forward to deepening our cooperation in support of Canada’s submarine program.”
The collaboration underscores the growing recognition that submarine programs are not defined solely by the vessels themselves, but by the ecosystem that supports them—training, sustainment, digital systems, and workforce development.
Strengthening Canada’s Sovereign Submarine Capability
Beyond the immediate CPSP competition, the CAE–TKMS teaming agreement also reflects a broader commitment to strengthening Canada’s domestic defence ecosystem.
CAE, long recognized as a trusted defence partner to Canada and its allies, will contribute its extensive expertise in simulation and training technologies to support sovereign submarine capability and reinforce the resilience of Canadian industry.
The partnership is designed to help ensure that the Royal Canadian Navy maintains the advanced capabilities required to safeguard Canadians and protect the country’s vast maritime approaches—including its extensive coastline and strategically vital Arctic region.
By combining technological innovation with operational expertise, the agreement aims to reinforce Canada’s long-term submarine readiness and enable the RCN to operate confidently in an increasingly complex maritime security environment.
Looking Beyond Canada
While the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project remains the immediate focus, the partnership between CAE and TKMS is intended to extend beyond a single program.
As part of the agreement, CAE is identified as a strategic partner supporting TKMS engagements across a broader range of international and export subsurface and surface naval programs that include training and simulation components.
This wider collaboration reflects the growing importance of integrated training systems within naval modernization programs worldwide.
For Canada, it also highlights the potential role domestic companies can play in supporting global naval programs—leveraging Canadian expertise to deliver advanced capabilities across allied fleets.
