KEITH COFFEN
Q: Thanks for joining us here today. To
start the conversation: If there's one
theme to take away from what we've
heard at Deep Blue so far, it's that we
can do a lot of harm by concentrating
only on the acquisition of submarines.
We don't need to look far to understand
why that is. We have Victoria class sub-
marines in service, only one of which can
go to sea. And our average availability
from those submarines is not high. So,
12 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2026 www.vanguardcanada.com
I N T E R V I E W
B Y VA N G U A R D S TA F F
BUILDING THE FLEET BEHIND THE FLEET
SUBMARINE
CAPABILITY:
A
s Canada moves closer to a
decision on its next subma-
rine capability, attention is
turning to the realities that
will determine long-term
success: infrastructure, workforce capacity,
and industrial readiness.
This was the focus of a fireside chat at
November's Deep Blue Forum 2025.
In the discussion, Comdr Keith Coffen
(Ret'd) spoke with David Hudock, Na-
tional Director, Defence & Federal Gov-
ernment Relations, PCL Construction
and Comdr Darcy Byrtus RCN (Ret'd) on
what it will take to deliver and sustain Can-
ada's future submarine program. Drawing
on lessons from the National Shipbuilding
Strategy, major infrastructure delivery, and
past defence initiatives, they examine the
scale of construction required, the pres-
sure on skilled trades, the role of industry
in training and technology transfer, and
the importance of long-term government
commitment.
Commodore
Keith Coffen RCN
(Ret'd)
Owner, Seax Strategy
Group Inc.
Captain(N)
David Hudock,
RCN (Ret'd)
National Director, Defence
and Federal Government
Relations, PCL Construction
Commander
Darcy Byrtus RCN
(Ret'd)
Former President, BMT
Canada
