Canada’s commandos test the small submarine market

International Submarine Engineering Ltd. of British Columbia has developed the ODYSSEY, a submarine that is used to transport tourists. Canadian special forces have examined such submarines in their quest to find new equipment for its missions.

International Submarine Engineering Ltd. of British Columbia has developed the ODYSSEY, a submarine that is used to transport tourists. Canadian special forces have examined such submarines in their quest to find new equipment for its missions.

Canada’s commandos have been window-shopping for small submarines as they continue to look for new equipment for their counter-terrorism and special forces missions.

Equipment specialists from the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command in Ottawa surveyed Vancouver-area specialty diving firms in their quest to look at who in the country could build a “dry submersible,” according to a May 2011 briefing note prepared for Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson. Thompson is the commander of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command or CANSOFCOM.

“The (commander) expressed interest in a dry submersible built in Vancouver BC that could carry up to (censored),” the briefing note obtained by the Citizen through the access to information law stated.

A dry submersible protects occupants from the marine environment and would allow commandos to spend longer periods submerged in cold water. Such a system could range from a small submarine to a hard metal deep diving suit.

The CANSOFCOM equipment specialists found that a number of companies in the Vancouver area, all founded by retired navy divers, had developed state-of-the-art technology in both manned and unmanned diving systems.

Some of the firms offered deepsea exploration vehicles, either for individuals or a two-man crew, while others marketed small submarines built by firms from other countries. One such submarine was about eight-metres long and could dive down to more than 160 metres.

The equipment specialists determined that one Canadian company was capable of designing and building a small customized submarine. But one such vessel could end up costing up to $5 million.

CANSOFCOM spokeswoman Lianne Wallace noted that the command does not have any project underway to purchase such equipment.

“We continue to monitor the dry submersible industry, however we have no intent to procure a dry submersible,” she stated in an email.

Wallace said the briefing note was prepared in order to update the commander of CANSOFCOM on the current capability of Canadian industry to produce a dry submersible vehicle.

“Since advanced technology plays a critical role in the success of special operations forces, CANSOFCOM force development staff regularly monitor available and emerging technologies to ensure that CANSOFCOM personnel have the best possible equipment,” she added.

CANSOFCOM currently possesses a “wet” submersible capability. That is an underwater craft that scuba divers can ride.

For security reasons, CANSOFCOM will not disclose further details on that submersible capability.