Editing Upholder/Victoria-class submarine (section)

==Canadian service==
Upon acquiring the subs, Maritime Command suggested that the subs would be operational by 2000. This included an 18-month systems check. Each sub would undergo a six-month Canadian Work Period (CWP). During the CWP, Canadian communications and fire control systems were installed.<ref name=milner308/> On 6 October, ''Unseen'' was accepted by Canada at Barrow-in-Furness and renamed ''Victoria''. The submarine arrived in Canada on 23 October 2000 and was commissioned into Maritime Command on 2 December. She then underwent her CWP.<ref name=vicrcn/>
[[File:HMCS Victoria SSK-876 near Bangor.jpg|thumb|HMCS ''Victoria'' at Naval Base Kitsap in October 2004, several years after her acquisition by the Royal Canadian Navy]]
''Unicorn'' was accepted by Canada and renamed ''Windsor'' on 5 July 2001. The sub sailed from [[HMNB Clyde|Faslane]] on 8 October, arriving at [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]] on 19 October 2001. During her sea trials, ''Windsor'' suffered minor flooding while submerged, forcing her early entry into the CWP.<ref name=winrcn/> ''Ursula'' was accepted by Canada and renamed ''Corner Brook'' on 21 February 2003. She departed Faslane on 25 February and arrived at Halifax on 10 March. ''Corner Brook'' was commissioned at her [[Corner Brook|namesake]] city on 29 June 2003.<ref name=vicrcn/> On 29 June 2003, following the completion of her CWP, ''Victoria'' transferred to the west coast, arriving at [[Esquimalt, British Columbia]] on 24 August.<ref name=vicrcn/> ''Windsor'' was commissioned into Maritime Command during her CWP on 4 October 2003.<ref name=winrcn/>

The crew of {{HMCS|Onondaga|S73|2}}, the last Canadian ''Oberon'', transferred to ''Upholder'', the last of the class to transfer in July 2000.<ref name=milner308/> The sub was accepted by Canada on 2 October 2004 at Faslane and renamed ''Chicoutimi''.<ref name=chircn/>

===''Chicoutimi'' fire===
''Chicoutimi'' cleared Faslane on 4 October 2004 on her homeward journey to Canada. Since Faslane was a nuclear submarine base, ''Chicoutimi'' was forced to travel on the surface for the first stage of the passage. On 5 October ''Chicoutimi'' was passing through a gale with {{convert|6|m|adj=on}} seas. During a watch change at 03:00 sea water entered the conning tower. The lower hatch prevented the water from entering the sub; however, the drain in the tower failed to operate. When the lower hatch was opened, the water fell into the sub and was then pumped overboard with the incident noted. The drain valves required much repair before diving. At 10:52 two crew entered the tower to perform the needed repairs. The upper hatch was opened during the repair and after roughly 25 minutes, another tool was needed from within the sub. Once the lower hatch was opened, the submarine was hit by a large wave thereby throwing roughly {{convert|500|impgal|L}} of sea water into ''Chicoutimi''. Electrical explosions and fire erupted soon afterward which spread quickly. In order to fight the fire, all systems aboard the submarine were shut down, leaving the submarine dead in the water. An attempt to restore auxiliary power caused another fire to break out. At 19:12, attempts to remove smoke by starting an [[oxygen generator]] caused another fire. Nine sailors were injured, three seriously.<ref>Milner, pp. 323–4</ref>

The first ship on the scene was the Irish patrol vessel {{ship|LÉ|Róisín|P51|6}}, which suffered damage in the heavy seas and was forced to return to port.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1473471/Severe-weather-hinders-submarine-rescue.html |title= Severe weather hinders submarine rescue|date=6 October 2004 |website=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=14 June 2017 }}</ref> The British frigate {{HMS|Montrose|F236|6}} arrived the following day to provide aid. Rescue efforts had been hampered by the poor weather. The three seriously injured crewmen were evacuated by ''Montrose''{{'}}s helicopter and flown directly to [[Sligo]], Ireland. One sailor died of his injuries shortly after arrival. ''Chicoutimi'' was taken in tow on 7 October and arrived back at Faslane on 9 October.<ref>Milner, pp. 324–5</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3719760.stm|title=Rescue ship reaches sub crew|publisher=BBC News|access-date=23 May 2016|date=7 October 2014}}</ref>
[[File:Tern1.jpg|thumb|HMCS ''Chicoutimi'' aboard the heavy-lift ship ''Tern'', April 2009]]
''Chicoutimi'' was transported to Halifax aboard the submersible heavy-lift vessel ''Eide Transporter'', arriving on 1 February 2005. The commissioning of the submarine was delayed until the assessment of the damage could take place. Following the assessment, ''Chicoutimi'' was carried to Esquimalt aboard the submersible heavy-lift ship ''Tern'', arriving on 29 April 2009 to undergo a major refit.<ref name=chircn/>

===Service entry===
''Windsor'' became the first active member of the class in Canadian service in June 2005. In the following year and a half, the submarine took part in several international naval exercises and training periods with other Canadian units.<ref name=winrcn/> ''Victoria'' performed several sea trials and training exercises before beginning a major refit, called the Extended Docking Work Period (EDWP), on 27 June 2005.<ref name=vicrcn/> ''Corner Brook'' entered her CWP from 2004 to 2005 and began sea trials on 24 October 2006.<ref name=corrcn/>
[[File:HMCS Corner Brook.jpg|thumb|left|HMCS ''Corner Brook'' passing [[Fort Amherst, St. John's|Fort Amherst]] and entering St. John's Harbour, {{circa|2006}}]] 
On 15 January 2007, ''Windsor'' began the EDWP refit at Halifax.<ref name=winrcn/> In 2007 ''Corner Brook'' participated in the [[NATO]] naval exercise "Joint Warrior", marking the first time in fifteen years that a Canadian submarine had sailed in European waters. In August 2007, ''Corner Brook'' participated in [[Operation Nanook (2007)|Operation Nanook]], Canada's naval exercise in the Arctic.<ref name=corrcn/>

In March 2008, ''Corner Brook'' deployed as part of [[Operation Caribbe]] in the Caribbean Sea.<ref name=corrcn/> In August 2009 ''Corner Brook'' again deployed to the Arctic as part of [[Operation Nanook (2009)|Operation Nanook]].<ref name=corrcn/>

On 30 January 2011 ''Corner Brook'' left Halifax to transfer to the west coast. On the way, the submarine participated in Operation Caribbe. She arrived at Esquimalt on 5 May 2011.<ref name=corrcn/> On 4 June 2011, ''Corner Brook'' while diving off the coast of [[British Columbia]] slammed into the seafloor at {{convert|11|km/h|kn|order=flip}} at a depth of {{convert|45|m}}. Two sailors were injured in the collision and the submarine suffered significant damage, with a {{convert|2|m|adj=on}} hole in the bow. Two torpedo tube doors were torn off in the collision.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gordon |first=Rob |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/navy-submarine-damage-severe-internal-report-says-1.1353463 |title=Navy submarine damage severe, internal report says |newspaper=CBC News |date=16 July 2013 |access-date=23 May 2016}}</ref> The submarine surfaced and made port without requiring aid.<ref name=corrcn/> The commander of the submarine was later stripped of his command following a board of inquiry.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.vicnews.com/news/135762268.html |title=Sub commander stripped of command after underwater crash |newspaper=Victoria News |date=16 December 2011 |access-date=23 May 2016}}</ref> Repairs and a major refit kept the sub out of operational service until 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadian-pre-owned-submarine-fleet-finally-ready-for-operations/article23236697/ |title=Canadian pre-owned submarine fleet finally ready for operations |last=Chase |first=Steven |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=27 February 2015 |access-date=25 May 2016}}</ref> ''Victoria'' emerged from the EDWP at the end of 2011.<ref name=vicrcn/>
[[File:120717-O-ZZ999-004-CA4 (7609995958).jpg|thumb|{{USNS|Concord}} sinks in the Pacific Ocean after being used as a target vessel by HMCS ''Victoria'' during [[Exercise RIMPAC|RIMPAC naval exercise]], July 2012]]
''Victoria'' was declared fully operational in March 2012 and participated in the [[Exercise RIMPAC|RIMPAC naval exercise]] that year, sinking ex-{{USNS|Concord|T-AFS-5|6}} with one of her torpedoes.<ref name=vicrcn/> ''Windsor'' finished her refit on 30 November 2012.<ref name=winrcn/> ''Victoria'' participated in Operation Caribbe in 2013.<ref name=vicrcn/> ''Windsor'' reentered the dockyard in March 2014 requiring the replacement of a defective diesel generator.<ref name=winrcn/>

''Windsor'' performed a 105-day training cruise in 2015, making it the longest deployment by a ''Victoria''-class submarine. The submarine participated in training exercises with NATO and several navies in the North Atlantic.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/hmcs-windsor-returns-to-halifax-following-longest-mission-for-victoria-class-sub-1.2704560 |title=HMCS Windsor returns to Halifax following longest mission for Victoria-class sub |newspaper=CTV News Atlantic |date=17 December 2015 |last=Auld |first=Allison |agency=The Canadian Press |access-date=23 May 2016}}</ref> During the cruise, ''Windsor'' was deployed to track five submarines from another nation that had entered the North Atlantic.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/hmcs-windsor-submarine-canada-navy-greenwood-subs-halifax-1.3601633 |title=Incident in North Atlantic last fall shows why Canada needs submarines, navy says |work=CBC News |last=Ruskin |first=Brett |date=26 May 2016 |access-date=28 May 2016}}</ref> Canada announced plans for a major life extension for the class on 7 April 2015, possibly to start in 2020. The estimated cost for the program would be between $1.5 and $2 billion CAN.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/naval/submarines/2015/05/02/canada-submarine-naval-victoria/26603667/ |title=Canada Plans Major Sub-Life Extension |last=Pugliese |first=David |website=defensenews.com |date=2 May 2015 |access-date=23 May 2016}}</ref>
[[File:HMCS Chicoutimi Yokosuka Oct 2017 (cropped).jpg|thumb|HMCS ''Chicoutimi'' being assisted by a tugboat after her arrival at [[United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka]], October 2017]]
On 3 September 2015, ''Chicoutimi'' was commissioned into the Royal Canadian Navy at Esquimalt.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/stealthy-sleek-chicoutimi-officially-joins-fleet/ |title=Stealthy, sleek Chicoutimi officially joins the fleet |newspaper=CFB Esquimalt Lookout |last=Mallett |first=Peter |date=14 September 2015 |access-date=25 May 2016}}</ref> However, the sub was restricted to shallow-water diving.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/rebuilt-hmcs-chicoutimi-submarine-to-return-to-navy-1.2486251 |title=Rebuilt HMCS Chicoutimi submarine to return to navy |work=CBC News |agency=The Canadian Press |date=6 January 2014 |access-date=25 May 2016}}</ref> In October 2015, ''Chicoutimi'' was among the Canadian vessels sent to participate in a joint exercise with the [[United States Navy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/hmcs-chicoutimi-hmcs-vancouver-and-hmcs-calgary-taking-part-in-u-s-exercise |last=Pugliese |first=David |title=HMCS Chicoutimi, HMCS Vancouver and HMCS Calgary taking part in U.S. exercise |newspaper=Ottawa Citizen |date=24 October 2015 |access-date=25 May 2016}}</ref> ''Chicoutimi'' and ''Victoria'' were taken out of active service in 2016 after hundreds of welds were found to not meet quality standards, affecting the ability of the subs to dive. They were docked at Esquimalt for several months.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/submarine-welding-repairs-hmcs-chicoutimi-victoria-1.3584592 |title=Wonky welds keep West Coast submarines stuck in port |work=CBC News |last=Beeby |first=Dean |date=17 May 2016 |access-date=25 May 2016}}</ref> ''Chicoutimi'' was repaired first, followed by ''Victoria''. ''Victoria'' was used for training purposes until repairs were effected.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/hmcs-chicoutimi-submarine-halifax-navy-1.3607994 |title=Submarine HMCS Chicoutimi will be operational next year, navy commander says |newspaper=CBC News |agency=The Canadian Press |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref> In September 2017, Canada deployed ''Chicoutimi'' on patrol in Asian waters, the first such deployment by a ''Victoria''-class submarine.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/canada-deploys-victoria-class-hmcs-chicoutimi-submarine-to-asia-1.4343380 |title=Canada deploys Victoria-class HMCS Chicoutimi submarine to Asia |work=CBC News |last=Ruskin |first=Brett |date=6 October 2017 |access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref> During the deployment, ''Chicoutimi'' marked the first visit to Japan by a Canadian submarine since 1968. The vessel returned to Canada on 21 March 2018 spending 197 days at sea, the longest deployment by a ''Victoria''-class submarine in Canadian service.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/esquimalt-based-submarine-back-in-port-after-epic-journey-1.23209423 |title=Esquimalt-based submarine back in port after epic journey |last=Watts |first=Richard |work=Times Colonist |date=21 March 2018 |access-date=24 March 2018}}</ref>

===Life extension and replacement===
Under the [[Justin Trudeau]] government's defence policy paper, ''Strong Secure Engaged'' (2017), the operational life of each ''Victoria''-class boat was to be extended by one additional "life-cycle" (or by about eight years).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/policies-standards/canada-defence-policy.html |title=Strong Secure Engaged |publisher=Government of Canada |date=6 August 2020 |access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref> This was designed to permit the operation of the fleet into about the early to mid-2030s. As of 2020 no decision had been taken on the actual replacement of Canada's submarines which were then already thirty years old. Analysis by the Naval Association of Canada indicated that the lead times, technical challenges and costs involved in submarine replacement would be significant were such a program to be initiated.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navalassoc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Niobe-Paper-4-Collins.pdf |title=Towards a Renewed Submarine Capability |last=Collins |first=Jeffrey F. |series=Niobe Papers |number=4 |publisher=Naval Association of Canada |date=July 2019 |access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref>

According to John Ivison, Canadian navy personnel assessed six submarines that could be a potential replacement. They consist of the conventional {{sclass2|Barracuda|submarine|4||France}}, the [[Type 212CD submarine|Type 212CD]], the {{sclass|Taigei|submarine|4}}, the [[KSS-III submarine|KSS-III class]], the [[S-80 Plus-class submarine|''Isaac Peral'' class]] and the {{sclass|Blekinge|submarine|4}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/ivison-buying-new-canadian-submarines-not-inevitable |title=John Ivison: New Canadian submarines are 'inevitable,’ says Blair. Acquiring them will be anything but |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240514214958/https://nationalpost.com/opinion/ivison-buying-new-canadian-submarines-not-inevitable#selection-3139.111-3139.482 |archive-date=14 May 2024 |work=National Post |last=Ivison |first=John |date=14 May 2024}}</ref> On 10 July 2024, the Government of Canada announced the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). Up to 12 conventionally powered submarines are to be acquired for the RCN.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Department of National Defence |date=10 July 2024 |title=Canada launching process to acquire up to 12 conventionally-powered submarines |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2024/07/canada-launching-process-to-acquire-up-to-12-conventionally-powered-submarines.html}}</ref> An RFI was issued by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) in September 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.marinelog.com/news/canadian-releases-patrol-submarine-rfi/ |title=Canada releases patrol submarine RFI |work=Marine Log |last=Blenkey |first=Nick |date=19 September 2024 |access-date=23 September 2024}}</ref> On 21 November, it was reported that the ''Taigei'' class was no longer being considered.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2024/11/21/japan-not-taking-part-in-procurement-bid-for-canadian-navys-new-subs/442454/ |title=Japan not taking part in procurement bid for Canadian Navy's new subs |work=The Hill Times |last1=Koca |first1=Irem |last2=Moss |first2=Neil |date=21 November 2024 |access-date=10 February 2025}}</ref>

David Pugliese in the ''[[Ottawa Citizen]]'' reported that former navy officers estimated the program costs would be around $100 billion with the first new submarines estimated to be ready by 2037.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/first-submarine-in-new-canadian-fleet-wont-be-operational-until-2037-navy-confirms |title=First submarine in new Canadian fleet won't be operational until 2037, navy confirms |work=Ottawa Citizen |last=Pugliese |first=David |date=23 September 2024 |access-date=3 October 2024}}</ref>