RCN.

This is coolbert:

An aging fleet of an aging fleet! Replacement needed?

Submarine force Canadian style!

From  "The Canadian Press and the article by  Lee Berthiaume.

"Royal Canadian Navy [RCN] to start process of replacing aging submarine fleet"

CANADA HAVING PURCHASED SECOND-HAND SUBMARINES FROM THE ROYAL NAVY [BRITISH] BUT FINDING THE VESSELS TO BE LESS THAN COMBAT READY AND ABLE WARSHIPS.

"questions about the costs and benefits of submarines have circulated since Canada bought four second-hand vessels from Britain in 1998. The government at that time argued it was getting a bargain by paying only $750 million for the four Victoria-class vessels."

"Yet the vessels have since spent more time in dock for repairs and maintenance than at sea, with Ottawa sinking billions of dollars into the fleet over the past 20-plus years to address a series of problems and incidents including fires and faulty welding"

FIRES AND FAULTY WELDING. HOT WORK AS DEEMED IT SEEMS AN ENDLESS SOURCE OF DIFFICULTY.

Submarines it seems very fickle. A high tempo of sustained operations necessary for sea-worthy combat duty hard to obtain.

That question quite valid too can be suggested if Canada even NEEDS a submarine force? Understandable from the aspect of defending the Canadian arctic regions but ONLY with vessels able to operate under the ice for a protracted period.

And let us not ignore cost. Brand new boats not cheap!

coolbert.