On AIP replenishment, I concede that Canada may eventually examine whether AIP reactants could be replenished in area or another northern location. If it can be done safely and economically, it could certainly increase patrol persistence and I believe we'll eventually do this at a Canadian port. But I think people are getting well ahead of where the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project actually is.
I recently spoke with someone very heavily involved in the project and specifically asked whether submarine tenders were being considered and whether there was any serious thought being given to replenishing AIP reactants in the Arctic. His response was basically a laugh, followed by two very important points.
A. We do not even know how many submarines Canada is ultimately going to acquire.
B. There are an enormous number of moving parts that have to be resolved first, including training, crewing, sustainment, maintenance facilities, infrastructure and the entire support system for whichever submarine is selected.
Indeed the RCN has many fundamental issues to sort, and unfortunately 'the elephant' in the room is the serious manpower shortage of the Canadian Armed Forces, and particular the RCN shortages, means the 'moving parts' in themselves are going to be very big challenges given the current relatively limited trained personnel available now, with the need for these personnel to plan many important aspects for the future. Without question it must be very difficult to find the resources to plan much more.
His view was that submarine tenders, and particularly theoretical Arctic replenishment of AIP reactants, are issues that, if they are ever seriously examined, are probably 10 to 15 years down the road. There are simply much more fundamental decisions that have to be made first.
My own view is that it would be far better to start to seriously examine such (Arctic AIP replenishment) sooner, for once the feasibility is confirmed, it could take many years to implement such. However if the manpower is not present to consider/study AIP reactants in the Arctic, then likely nothing can be done now.
The manpower shortage is a major symptom of what I call the 'crisis of invisibility', which is having major impact on the RCN. And despite some progress, I don't believe the manpower issue can be sorted soon.
One area where planning is considerably further along is submarine rescue. SUBSMASH equipment is intended to be carried aboard the AOPVs, and that capability has already been trial fitted. Canada will also rely on arrangements with the United States and other allies to provide access to submarine rescue capabilities. That makes considerably more sense than Canada trying to duplicate every element of an extremely specialized rescue system itself.
The RCN has history re: SUBSMASH going back decades ... and I glad to read this is further along.
Canada first has to select the submarine, build the training and maintenance system, establish the support infrastructure and get the boats operational. Lets try that first.
There is no question the aspects you note are incredibly important. I thou, also view AIP replenishment as part of the support infrastructure.
While the support infrastructure planning, and while the plans for AIP replenishment are being made (for Halifax and Esquimalt) , that is also a good time to learn about cold weather constraints, and consider applicability re:the Arctic for the future. Again, my view, is if one were to ignore such now, if one doesn't ask the questions now, one is missing a learning opportunity, that could put the RCN further ahead re future possibilities.
I am amazed, given the personnel shortages, that the RCN has accomplished what they have accomplished thus far, and I, for one, wish the RCN the very very best in the future. Its been a long time coming and both the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, and the Canadian Surface Combatant Project, are long overdue, exciting projects, to read about moving forward.
.
