Russia Is Freaked: Canada Needs 12 New 'Stealth' Submarines

Summary and Key Points You Should Be Aware of: Canada announced the procurement of 12 conventionally powered, under-ice-capable submarines to enhance its maritime defense, part of its strategy "Our North, Strong and Free."

-The submarines will strengthen the Royal Canadian Navy's ability to detect threats and project power in the region.

-Russian propagandist Alexander Timokhin warned that these new subs could pose a "radically" altered threat to Russia, especially under Arctic ice.

-Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the U.S. of sparking an arms race, even as Russia commenced its largest naval exercises since the Cold War, involving 400 warships and 120 aircraft.

Russia Warns Against Canada’s Growing Submarine Fleet

NATO member Canada announced earlier this summer that it would begin the procurement of a dozen conventionally powered, under-ice-capable submarines. The boats could allow the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) to covertly detect and deter maritime threats, control its maritime approaches, and project power as well as striking capability in the region.

It is part of Ottawa's renewed defense strategy, labeled Our North, Strong and Free.

"As the country with the longest coastline in the world, Canada needs a new fleet of submarines," Canadian Minister of Defense Bill Blair said in July. "We've announced that we will move forward with this acquisition. This new fleet will enable Canada to protect its sovereignty in a changing world, and make valuable, high-end contributions to the security of our partners and NATO Allies. We look forward to delivering this new fleet to the Royal Canadian Navy."

Ottawa has also invested hundreds of millions of dollars to keep its four Victoria-class submarines in service, while the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project will allow the RCN to acquire a larger, modernized submarine fleet.

The Unofficial Russian Response

The decision by Ottawa to purchase a dozen modern, non-nuclear submarines capable of operating under the Arctic icecap hasn't received much notice from Moscow, but it was met with strong condemnation from a Russian propagandist, who labeled the RCN's future underwater force a "radically" altered threat, The National Post reported.

"Today, Canada has three submarines based in the Pacific Ocean, and another in the Atlantic. Due to their obsolescence and wear, the threat they pose to us is not so significant," warned Russian defense reporter Alexander Timokhin for the online newspaper Vzglyad, which is known to have ties to the Kremlin. "But new submarines can radically change everything – and not in our favor."

The new conventionally-powered boats will employ an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system that will allow the subs to remain under the ice longer than the older vessels now in service, while they will likely be far quieter.

"In straits with difficult ice conditions, a secretive non-nuclear submarine with a high-class sonar system and modern torpedoes will prove to be a deadly enemy for any nuclear submarine," the Russian journalist added. "Moreover, you can be sure that she will 'win' the first shot. This can seriously change the balance of power in some cases."

Moscow Accuses U.S. of Arms Race

It was also this week that Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the United States of prompting an arms race in the Asia-Pacific and Europe.

"With its aggressive actions, the United States seeks to achieve a substantial military advantage, thereby disrupting the established security architecture and the balance of power in Asia-Pacific," Putin said via a video link to mark the start of the Exercise Ocean-2024 drills with China, according to a report from state media outlet Tass. "The US is essentially provoking an arms race without regard for the security of its European and Asian allies."

The largest Russian naval exercises in decades kicked off earlier this week, with the Kremlin claiming more than 400 Russian Navy warships and submarines, and more than 120 aircraft and helicopters taking part – though Western analysts have speculated that Russia probably only has half that number of vessels in service.

In total, some 90,000 personnel have been deployed to train in the largest drills since the end of the Cold War, the Russian Ministry of Defense also suggested. Elements of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) are also taking part.

How Russia and its propaganda proxies can warn about an arms race brewing while it carries out such an exercise simply boggles the mind. It could be argued that the very Exercise Ocean-2024 drills are why Canada sees the need for those dozen submarines.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

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