Canada and Norway intend to pursue an enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement after negotiations for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project conclude. The commitment forms part of a broader package covering Arctic security, space, industrial cooperation and critical minerals announced by Prime Ministers Mark Carney and Jonas Gahr Støre on 20 September 2026.
Meeting in Ottawa, Carney and Støre described Canada’s decision to join German-Norwegian Type 212CD submarine cooperation as an opportunity to deepen military, industrial and technological ties. Their joint statement also addressed artificial intelligence.
The proposed agreement depends on the conclusion of Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) negotiations. A separate meeting readout says the leaders intend to advance the agreement in the new year.
The Canada–Norway defence agreement follows CPSP negotiations
The commitment builds on the bilateral defence cooperation memorandum of understanding signed in 2023. Its sequence is clear, but the statement does not establish agreed terms, a signature date or changes to the submarine project’s scope, cost or schedule.
TKMS remains the preferred CPSP supplier during negotiations
Canada selected ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) as preferred supplier on 6 July 2026 for up to 12 Type 212CD submarines to replace the Victoria class. Contracting is to conclude no later than the end of 2027, with delivery of the first four boats targeted for 2034.
Anvil North covered the preferred supplier selection at the time. Hanwha Ocean remains the reserve option if negotiations with TKMS fail. Preferred supplier status is therefore distinct from a completed acquisition contract.
Canada, Germany and Norway began joint planning in Kiel
Representatives of the three countries met with TKMS, Kongsberg and Multiconsult in Kiel at the end of July. The first joint planning event addressed multilateral working structures and preparations for contract negotiations.
Kongsberg’s Canadian activity spans several industrial sectors
The joint statement says Kongsberg, which contributes to the Type 212CD combat management system, has invested C$76.5 million in a Marine Innovation Simulation Centre of Excellence with the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Kongsberg works with NAV Canada and OSI Maritime Systems
The statement also describes Kongsberg’s partnership with NAV Canada on what it calls the world’s largest remote digital air traffic services project. Kongsberg has signed a memorandum of understanding with OSI Maritime Systems to advance Canadian maritime capabilities.
The group’s existing Canadian presence includes Ottawa-based Kongsberg Geospatial.
Anvil North’s assessment is that these activities warrant a broader view of Kongsberg’s Canadian supplier relationships. Combat systems, maritime navigation, space and civil air traffic initiatives are developing alongside the submarine negotiations. Each relationship still needs to be mapped to the responsible entity and its stated scope.
MDA Space and Telesat feature in the Canada–Norway space agenda
The joint statement describes Kongsberg and MDA Space as signing a memorandum of understanding on multi-domain capabilities and space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), including Arctic maritime situational awareness.
MDA Space’s atlas entries cover geointelligence and satellites
Anvil North records MDA Space capabilities in space-based geointelligence and satellite systems.
The statement also describes cooperation with Telesat on the Telesat Lightspeed low Earth orbit network, including connectivity for ISR and other applications.
Kongsberg subsequently announced on 22 September that it had executed the memorandum with MDA Space and a strategic letter of intent with Telesat LEO ULC, a Telesat subsidiary. The agreements establish frameworks for exploring cooperation; they do not announce delivery orders or procurement contracts.
Canadian and Norwegian space agencies finalized their MOU
The Canadian Space Agency and Norwegian Space Agency finalized a memorandum announced in March 2026. The arrangement covers space-based and dual-use capabilities for Arctic and northern needs, drawing on the countries’ shared European Space Agency membership.
National Defence and the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Defence are also implementing a Letter of Intent on responsive space capabilities and satellite interoperability.
The Canada–Norway Arctic Dialogue covers surveillance and research
Canada and Norway are establishing a bilateral Arctic Dialogue on strategic surveillance, situational awareness, interoperability, and research and development.
Canadian and Norwegian coast guards have conducted joint training
The Canadian Coast Guard and Norwegian Coast Guard signed a partnership agreement in June 2026. Joint training has since taken place in Canadian and Norwegian Arctic waters under that agreement.
Polar Knowledge Canada expands research cooperation
Polar Knowledge Canada and the Norwegian Polar Institute signed a memorandum on Arctic and Antarctic research, framed around the upcoming 5th International Polar Year.
The surveillance agenda is also relevant to Canada’s wider northern sensing investments, including Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar. That context does not establish a procurement dependency between the radar program and the bilateral commitments.
Vard Marine illustrates Norway’s established Canadian shipbuilding role
The joint statement identifies more than 50 Norwegian companies with long-term Canadian footprints. Among them are VARD and its Canadian subsidiary, Vard Marine, which have worked on Arctic shipbuilding.
Vard Marine designs predate the Type 212CD discussions
Vard Marine supplied the original vessel designs for the Royal Canadian Navy’s Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships program and for one of the Canadian Coast Guard’s Polar Icebreakers. That design work establishes an industrial relationship predating the current submarine negotiations.
Canada and Norway also advance Ukraine procurement and minerals work
The Canadian Commercial Corporation and Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency finalized a partnership announced in March 2026 to support military procurement for Ukraine. Anvil North has separately covered Canada–EU financing for Ukraine defence procurement.
Canadian and Norwegian geological surveys will cooperate on mapping
Under a March critical minerals memorandum, the Geological Survey of Canada and Geological Survey of Norway agreed to joint mapping and exchanges of geoscientific expertise.
What to watch next in Canada–Norway defence cooperation
The next indicators are defined projects under the Kongsberg agreements with MDA Space and Telesat LEO ULC, and a more specific timetable for the enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement. Any published industrial participation terms would help define the agreement’s commercial significance.
CPSP negotiations remain tied to the end-of-2027 contracting deadline. The Anvil North programs index provides the route to current project coverage.
Further disclosures should identify the Kongsberg entities responsible for individual projects. Group-level agreements do not establish that the work belongs to Kongsberg Geospatial.