submarines
www.vanguardcanada.com OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 33
onstrated the maturity of Canadian subma-
rine technical and operational enterprises for
which the future is bright indeed.
In closing, it is safe to say the much-
maligned story of the Victoria-class sub-
marines has truly turned a corner, but in
truth they remain but four submarines
operating in both the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans, separated by thousands of kilo-
metres – thus it would be disingenuous
to suggest this recent level of deployment
can be routinely achieved. However, it is
important to note these submarines have
been, and are continuing to be, upgraded
to improve their capability – they are very
capable submarines operated and sup-
ported by very capable Canadians. While
Canada will never have all four submarines
at sea at once, Victoria-class submarines
continue to be feted internationally for
their capabilities. Perhaps it is time to ap-
preciate these submarines and their sup-
porting infrastructure for what they are – a
significant strategic Canadian resource and
a story we should be justly proud of.
References
1. "Submarine celebrates achievements in
the Asia Pacific region", https://ml-
fd.caf-fac.ca/en/2018/03/11390,
Darlene Blakely, The Maple Leaf. Ac-
cessed 2 May 2018.
2. "Windsor sails for Exercise Dynamic
Manta in Mediterranean", http://
mapleleafnavy.com/2018/02/24/
windsor-sails-for-exercise-dynamic-
manta-in-mediterranean/ - published
28 February 2018. Accessed 2 May
2018.
3. A typical day in the US Navy, of 283
deployable battle force ships (includ-
ing submarines) only 89, or 31.4%,
are deployed and away from home-
port – this is not abnormal. Or to
put it another way, 14% of the Navy
is forward deployed and actually at
sea while another 15% is at sea con-
ducting operations and/or training
in local areas (total just under 30%
of the total USN fleet). See http://
www.navy.mil/navydata/nav_legacy.
asp?id=146. Accessed 3 May 2018.
4. All of Germany's submarines are now
out of action", (http://ottawacitizen.
com/news/national/defence-watch/
all-of-germanys-submarines-are-now-
out-of-action) - David Pugliese, Ot-
tawa Citizen, published October 21,
2017. Accessed 2 May 2018.
5. The German submarines U-190
For more information, please contact Heather Pilot : hpilot@pilothill.ca / 519-851-9848
PARTNERS
bestdefenceconference.com
November 5 & 6, 2018
London Convention Centre
and U-889 surrendered to the RCN
in 1945 were commissioned into the
RCN for test and evaluation only. Ken
MacPherson and Ron Barrie, The Ships
of Canada's Naval Forces 1910-2002
Third edition, (St Catherines, Vanwell,
2002) p.266.
6. Submarine Technical Support Suc-
cess at Home and Abroad, Maritime
Engineering Journal, Summer 2018,
Department of National Defence, Di-
rector General Maritime Equipment
Program Management, Ottawa 2018.
7. Canadian Submarine Force Demon-
strates Global Reach, Warships Inter-
national Fleet Review, Tandy Media,
Bexhill-on-Sea, June 2018 pp. 18-20.
Norman Jolin is a former naval officer who
retired from the Royal Canadian Navy aer
37 years of service. He is currently an As-
sociate Consultant with CFN Consultants
specializing in naval and maritime issues.
