TKMS forges new industrial partnership for Canadian Navy’s submarine program

April 14, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

German shipbuilder TKMS has signed a teaming agreement with Finkl Steel – Sorel, a member of Swiss Steel Group and a Canadian manufacturer of high-performance forged steel components, aimed at strengthening industrial cooperation in support of Canada’s future submarine capabilities.

Under the agreement, the parties will jointly explore, develop and implement cooperation related to the melting and production of specialized stainless-steel material grade 1.3964 required for modern submarine platforms within the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).

As part of the cooperation, the companies will evaluate the path for Finkl Steel – Sorel to qualify for the production of this specialized naval-grade material in accordance with applicable international naval standards.

This includes meeting the technical requirements of the German Institute for Defence Materials and Production Technology (WIWeB) and the classification society Det Norske Veritas (DNV), as well as compliance with Construction Regulations 1050 for German Navy Ships issued by the Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement.

The cooperation will include the exchange of technical information related to material dimensions, chemical composition, certification requirements and relevant Canadian regulatory considerations.

Both companies also intend to explore opportunities to maximize Canadian value-added contributions within the CPSP framework.

“Canada’s submarine program represents an important opportunity to combine world-class naval engineering with strong local industrial participation,” said Thomas Keupp, Chief Sales Officer at TKMS.

“Through this agreement with Finkl Steel – Sorel, we are exploring how advanced Canadian metallurgical capabilities can contribute to the production of critical materials required for modern submarine platforms. TKMS values partnerships that strengthen domestic supply chains while meeting the highest international naval standards.”

“The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is a defining initiative for Canada’s long-term security and industrial resilience,” said Louis-Philippe Lapierre-Boire, COO at Finkl Steel – Sorel.

Lapierre-Boire said that the company’s capabilities in advanced steel forging, metallurgical engineering, and complex component manufacturing positioned it as a strategic partner in supporting high-performance naval platforms.

He added that the partnership went beyond the platform itself, aiming to build sustainable expertise, strengthen Canada’s defence supply chain, and generate long-term economic impact, and noted that the company looked forward to contributing to a program expected to serve Canada for decades.

To remind, TKMS recently signed a teaming agreement with Canadian lithium company E3 Lithium to establish a strategic framework for cooperation in support of Canada’s future submarine capabilities.