The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project has reached a new implementation stage in Halifax, where federal authorities are reviewing plans for a major facility to berth, maintain and operate Canada’s future submarine fleet.
The proposed work would take place at the Canadian Forces Base Halifax Wrights Cove property in Dartmouth, beside the Bedford Basin and near Burnside Industrial Park.
Public comments on the project’s initial site-preparation phase are due Wednesday, November 4, 2026, while comments on the larger construction and infrastructure phase will be accepted until November 15, 2026.
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Canadian Patrol Submarine Project: What is being proposed at CFB Halifax
The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is planned to replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s aging Victoria-class submarines with up to 12 new conventionally powered boats.
At Wrights Cove, the federal government is proposing a complex of buildings, marine infrastructure, roads, utilities and security facilities to support the fleet over its operational life.
The plans include submarine berthing facilities, jetty cranes, shoreline infrastructure, a maintenance facility, hardstand areas, supply and storage buildings, battery-servicing capacity and training centres.
The site would also include fire and military-police support, fencing, cameras, a parkade and other infrastructure needed for secure naval operations.
The construction phase would involve dredging, vegetation clearing, excavation, demolition, marine works and the movement of heavy construction equipment and materials.
Two existing buildings within the project area would have to be demolished before the main construction work begins.
Two phases are moving through review
The federal assessment is divided into two related phases.
The first phase covers site preparation across an area of approximately 80,000 square metres.
That work includes clearing trees and brush, removing stumps and organic material, grading the site, creating temporary access and staging areas, installing erosion and sediment controls, and relocating or protecting existing utilities.
Site-preparation work is currently expected to begin in January 2027.
The second phase covers the permanent construction and infrastructure required for submarine operations.
That phase covers approximately 90,000 square metres and is expected to begin in 2027, with completion anticipated by 2034.
The authorities must determine whether either project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects before the work can proceed.
The public-comment notices say submissions will be considered as part of those determinations and will become public.
Canada has selected a preferred submarine supplier
The Halifax infrastructure plans are tied to Ottawa’s decision in July 2026 to name Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems as the preferred supplier for the next generation of Canadian submarines.
Canada is negotiating with the German company on a potential purchase of up to 12 submarines, while South Korean firm Hanwha Ocean remains the designated reserve supplier if negotiations with TKMS do not produce a final agreement.
The preferred-supplier decision did not itself finalize the submarine contract.
The federal government says contracting is expected to be completed no later than the end of 2027.
The government has said the first four submarines are expected to arrive in 2034, ahead of the planned retirement of the Victoria-class fleet in the mid-to-late 2030s.
That schedule is intended to reduce the risk of a gap in Canada’s undersea capability during the transition between the two submarine classes.
Why the Halifax facility matters
The Royal Canadian Navy operates submarine assets from both coasts, making Halifax and Esquimalt central to Canada’s future undersea fleet.
The Halifax project is designed to provide the East Coast with the infrastructure needed to support submarine berthing, maintenance, training and long-term operations.
Ottawa has described submarines as important for maritime surveillance, intelligence gathering, Arctic presence, maritime security and cooperation with allies.
The government also says the project is intended to create Canadian industrial opportunities through skilled employment, supply-chain participation, technology transfer and long-term sustainment work.
However, the project’s immediate next step is not the arrival of a submarine but the completion of the federal environmental and infrastructure review process.
What happens next
Comments on the site-preparation phase must be sent to CFB Halifax Public Affairs by November 4, 2026.
Comments on the construction and infrastructure phase can be submitted until November 15, 2026.
After the review process, authorities will decide whether the proposed work is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.
Separately, Canada and TKMS must continue negotiations on the technical, operational, economic and industrial terms of the submarine procurement.
The project’s schedule will ultimately depend on both decisions: approval and preparation of the Halifax support infrastructure, and completion of the submarine agreement with the preferred supplier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project?
It is Canada’s plan to replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s Victoria-class fleet with up to 12 new conventionally powered submarines.
Where will the new Halifax submarine facility be built?
The proposed facility would be built at the CFB Halifax Wrights Cove property in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, beside the Bedford Basin.
When could construction begin?
Site preparation is expected to begin in January 2027, while the broader construction phase is expected to begin in 2027.
When are Canada’s first replacement submarines expected?
The federal government says the first four submarines are expected to be delivered in 2034.
Who is Canada negotiating with for the submarine purchase?
Canada has selected Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems as its preferred supplier and designated Hanwha Ocean as the reserve supplier.
Fact-Checked: Key project dates, deadlines, infrastructure details and supplier information were checked against Government of Canada and federal environmental-assessment records.
Disclaimer: The submarine procurement remains subject to ongoing negotiations, environmental review and final government decisions.