Victoria-class submarines
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.
The Government of Canada has committed to modernizing and operating the Victoria-class into the mid-to-late 2030s.
In-Service Support
The Victoria-class is primarily supported by the Victoria In-Service Support Contract (VISSC), a long-term contract with Canadian industry. VISSC provides Extended Docking Work Periods (EDWP), as well as various support services, such as program management, maintenance, engineering, integrated logistics, and records support. Services under the VISSC are contracted until 2023, and engagement is ongoing with industry and five pre-qualified bidders to replace this contract.
The Victoria-class is also supported by the RCN’s Fleet Maintenance Facilities, who are responsible for the service delivery of all submarine work periods other than EDWPs.
Finally, there are several smaller in-service support contracts and government-to-government arrangements that support certain systems onboard Victoria-class submarines.
This in-service support directly supports requirements to operate into the mid-to-late 2030s, and is at the core of Canada’s submarine capability.
Victoria-class Modernization Project
The Victoria-class Modernization (VCM) project will modernize the Victoria-class fleet to ensure it remains operationally relevant in an evolving operating environment into the mid-to-late 2030s. VCM is currently made up of 16 separate equipment upgrade projects. Seven are in the Implementation Phase and nine 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 will primarily be managed under the Victoria Class In-Service Support Contract (VISSC).
Project phases
Currently in Phase 2: Options Analysis
2. Options analysis
- Started in 2017
Learn more about the Defence procurement process.
Additional information
Project Updates
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.
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.
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