Upholder Subs for Canada

The Upholder class submarine HMS Unseen became HMCS Victoria last week in a ceremony to name Canada's latest submarine at Barrow-in-Furness in England. Canada has spent $750 million in acquiring the diesel-powered submarines to replace their obsolete Oberon class submarines. The Victoria is the first of four used British submarines that are being rebuilt for delivery to the Canadian navy. The submarine is scheduled to arrive in Halifax on 23 October and will be commissioned as a Canadian navy vessel on 18 November.

The Upholders were the last class of diesel powered to be launched for the Royal Navy, but with the end of the Cold War, the UK MOD decided to maintain an all nuclear fleet and mothballed the four Upholders before they had entered operational service.
The first vessel has been in brought up to modern standards and had Canadian specific alterations carried out in Barrow-in Furnace in a refit lasting two years. Further Canadian equipment will be added in Halifax. The remaining three boat, to be called Windsor, Corner Brook and Chicoutimi will follow at six monthly intervals.