Pistorius ‘hopeful’ about Canada submarine deal

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is confident his visit to Canada to advertise German submarines has been a success and a deal is possible.

“I was hopeful when I traveled here, I was hopeful during my stay and I’m leaving with hope,” he said in Montreal on Thursday.

Germany is hoping to persuade Canada to buy 12 new submarines from German manufacturer ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), but it faces competition from South Korea.

“Together, we can create the largest and most modern conventional submarine fleet in the world,” Pistorius said, referring to the fact that NATO partners Germany and Norway have already ordered TKMS ships.

Such “interoperability” between NATO allies is an “immense military advantage”, he said, but he faced criticism for spending only three days in Canada as opposed to the week-long promotional tour organized by the South Korean competition.

Pistorius said, “We’re Europeans, maybe we do things differently than Asians when it comes to things like this.” “But we are in a competition and can be the best [offer] win.”

Canada is expected to make a decision in the coming weeks.

“This is a sovereign decision of the Canadian government,” Pistorius said. “We’re expecting it and we’ll accept it.”

Good morning! Welcome to DW’s coverage of what Germany is talking about on Friday, May 29, 2026.

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