One VICTORIA class submarine until 2009

After ten years of delays with the Canadianisation programme for the VICTORIA class submarines (ex-UPHOLDER class, Royal Navy), there continues to be little good news facing the Navy’s submarine fleet. According to CanWest News Service, the Navy will have only one of the submarine’s operational until late 2009.

Of the four submarines, all three are expected to be operational at that time, with two submarines typically being available at all times. HMCS CHICOUTIMI, which suffered a devastating fire in 2004 that cost the life of one sailor, will likely not see service until 2012. At current, the CHICOUTIMI is laid-up due to a lack of spare parts and funds to refit it for service (it is expected to receive work starting in 2010). All resources are currently being directed to completing the Canadianisation process for the VICTORIA, WINDSOR, and CORNER BROOK.

Since their purchase in 1998, the VICTORIA class has been widely criticised as being “lemons” due to the limited capability that they have provided the Navy since the acquisition. The continued delay in bringing the bulk of the fleet into regular operation does little to defeat those accusations.

The CORNER BROOK is currently the only active submarine of the fleet and recently returned from an extended deployment in May.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 at 9:22 pm and is filed under Navy, Navy Fleet Status.

3 Responses to “One VICTORIA class submarine until 2009”

  1. jimmy

    November 26th, 2008 at 2:28 am

    Terrible mistake and a waste of money and time of this submarines he was called “Most silent diesel/electric submarines in the world” , i know what that mean the submarines are all in drydock due of major problem such crack founded or electric problem.

  2. Scott http://www.cdnmilitary.ca

    November 26th, 2008 at 4:47 pm

    In 1998, these submarines were arguably seen as a great deal for a Navy desperate to modernise its submarine fleet. Unfortunately, in hind sight, it appears that that desperation seems to have caused the Navy to rush into the purchase of what are ‘lemons’ due to poor maintenance/lay up procedures on the part of the British. It will be interesting to see how many years of service we get out of the entire fleet once (if) they are all in service come 2012.

  3. karl

    December 29th, 2008 at 12:44 am

    As there is a lack of spare parts for these subs; I suggest the following:
    1 – Use the Chicoutimi for spare parts as the air quality has cause many illnesses after the fire.
    2 – If you don’t want to use it as spare parts, fix it, and put it in reserve.
    The Germans have a nice U-boat design we could use. U214 & U212.

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