Victoria class Modernization
Project Summary
Canada’s four Victoria-class submarines form the core of the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) underwater surveillance capabilities. Covert, well-armed, and capable of patrolling vast distances, these submarines provide support to maritime law-enforcement in investigating narcotics trafficking, smuggling, and polluting cases, as well as conducting domestic and international operations.
Four Victoria-class submarines were purchased from the British Government in 1998, and delivered to Canada over a four-year period from 2000 to 2004. The first three submarines—Victoria, Windsor and Corner Brook—were commissioned into RCN service shortly after their arrival in Canada. The fourth, Chicoutimi, was delivered to Canada in 2004, but was not commissioned into RCN service until 2015, due to a fire in 2004 and subsequent work required.
Through the Victoria-class Modernization (VCM) project, these submarines will be modernized to allow them to continue operating in an evolving environment into the mid-to-late 2030s.
VCM is currently made up of 12 separate equipment upgrade projects. Eight are in the implementation phase and four are in the definition phase.
Most of the equipment acquisition and in-service support will be managed through separate contracts. Platform integration and installation of VCM equipment is primarily managed under the Victoria Class In-Service Support Contract (VISSC), a long-term contract with Canadian Industry.
Learn more about the Victoria-class submarines here.
Project phases
Currently in Phase 3: Definition
1. Identification
1. Identification
- Not available
2. Options analysis
2. Options analysis
- Started in 2017
3. Definition
3. Definition
- Identification: The VCM project went directly into options analysis, circumventing the identification phase.
- Options Analysis: Started in 2017
4. Implementation
4. Implementation:
- Project approval (implementation) – obsolescence and maintenance initiatives: September 2021
- Project approval (implementation) – capability modernization projects: began in November 2022
- Contract awards: Having begun in April 2023, there are still multiple contracts to be awarded, with the next contract expected to be awarded in January 2026.
- Project approval (implementation) Galley Improvement Project: December 2023
- Contract awards: COTA Aviation Limited (Galley Improvement Project)
- First delivery: 2026
- Initial operational capability: 2031
- Full operational capability: 2034
5. Close-out
5. Close-out
- 2036
Learn more about the Defence procurement process.
Additional information
Project Updates
Project Updates
November 13, 2024
Request for Proposal for the Periscope Modernization Project posted on CanadaBuys.
December 20, 2023
Galley Improvement Project contract awarded to COTA Aviation Ltd.
November 21, 2023
Galley Improvement Project entered the Implementation Phase.
October 18, 2023
Acoustic Quieting Project, Air Monitoring Project and Data Fusion Capability Project are approved.
April 26, 2023
Request for Proposal for the Galley Improvement Project posted on CanadaBuys.
December 20, 2022
Third Request for Information for the Periscope Modernization Project published on Buy and Sell.
March 21, 2022
Second Request for Information for the Flank Array Modernization Project published on Buy and Sell.
May 25, 2021
Second Request for Information for the Periscope Modernization Project published on Buy and Sell.
January 30, 2020
First Request for Information for the Periscope Modernization Project published on Buy and Sell.
November 20, 2020
Submissions for Phase 1 (minor obsolescence and maintenance initiatives) and Phase 2 (capability modernization projects (Bundle 1)) are approved.
May 7, 2020
Engagement with the Independent Review Panel for Defence Acquisitions on Phase 1 projects and the overall program conclude.
July 17, 2019
First Request for Information for the Flank Array Modernization Project published on Buy and Sell.
December 13, 2017
Engagement with the Independent Review Panel for Defence Acquisitions (IRPDA) begins.
June 7, 2017
Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure Engaged, announced Canada would modernize and operate the Victoria-class submarines into the mid-2030s.
Industry
Benefiting Canadian Industry
Three Requests for Information have been released to industry to gain insight into costs and availability for the Periscopes Modernization Project.
Industry engagement plans for the Flank Array Modernization Project and Periscopes Modernization Project were approved by the Director General Governance Committee on 09 March 2021.
Industrial Technological Benefits will be considered for all acquisitions in excess of $20M.
Canada will continue to engage with stakeholders on advancing industrial and technological benefits for companies in Canada, and promoting innovation, ensuring best value and supporting Canada’s defence priorities.
Technical information
Technical information
About the Victoria-class Submarines
Home ports:
- Esquimalt, British Columbia
- Halifax, Nova Scotia
Facts and figures:
- Length: 70.3m
- Displacement (weight): approximately 2,200 tonnes surfaced / 2,450 tonnes dived
- Speed: 12 knots (surfaced), 20 knots (submerged)
- Patrol Endurance: approximately 8 weeks
- Driving Depth: > 200 metres
- Crew size: 48 crew and 5 trainees
Fleet Status
The Repair Work Period for the HMCS Victoria was completed in late 2020. The Transition Docking Work Period for HMCS Windsor was completed in 2021. Both submarines are now in a normal readiness posture, meaning they are capable of supporting domestic operations on short notice, although their primary focus is on trials and training needed for high readiness.
Modernization of the Victoria-class will make Canada and its allies stronger and safer by:
- Improving the habitability and deployment conditions onboard the VCS for Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) submariners;
- Positioning the VCS to contribute meaningfully to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Joint Operations ashore; and
- Ensuring the survivability of the VCS against current and evolving threats in an increasingly complex and changing battle space.
Project cost
Project cost
As outlined in the Defence Capabilities Blueprint, the Victoria-class Modernization project is valued at up to $1.0 billion.
Issues/Risks
Issues/Risks
The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on all procurement projects in some form, including project schedules and costs. Regular work has resumed on procurement projects in collaboration with our industry partners.