Enhancing Canada’s Military Readiness Through AM

Dalhousie University is collaborating with Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) to enhance operational capabilities. This partnership focuses on advanced additive manufacturing techniques to develop critical submarine components and the necessary production processes.

Military spending has emerged as a significant theme in recent federal elections, highlighting the urgent need for investment in Canada’s aging defense infrastructure. In September 2024, the federal government announced plans to procure up to 12 new submarines, replacing the Royal Canadian Navy’s aging Victoria-class fleet, which is scheduled for decommissioning in the mid-2030s. This initiative is partly driven by the need to assert Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic, where receding ice is opening new shipping lanes and increasing international traffic.

However, the Navy faces a pressing challenge: the first of the new submarines won’t arrive until 2035. In the meantime, maintaining the current fleet—originally built in the UK in the 1980s—poses significant difficulties. Cameron Munro, a defense scientist at DRDC, notes that keeping aging hardware operational is a significant hurdle, especially when parts may no longer be available due to the original manufacturers going out of business.

Traditionally, when parts are unavailable, the Navy must rely on custom fabrication, which can be time-consuming and often deprioritized in favor of larger commercial orders. This procurement process can take years, creating a critical gap in readiness.

To address these challenges, Dalhousie materials engineer Dr. Paul Bishop has adapted advanced materials science and AM techniques. This specialized method allows for the intricate design and production of parts from metal powders, vital for the Navy's needs. Dalhousie’s unique infrastructure positions it as a leader in this field, enabling efficient collaboration with DRDC and industry partners.

The project aims to develop the necessary materials and processes for producing naval components, allowing the Navy to maintain its vessels more effectively. By understanding how specific naval alloys can be processed using additive manufacturing, Dalhousie is pioneering methods that could revolutionize Navy maintenance strategies.

Ultimately, this collaboration seeks not just to produce components but to establish a long-term industrial capacity in Canada, enhancing self-reliance and ensuring the Navy has the resources it needs, when needed.