Canada proposes splitting its German submarine order

Canadian negotiators have proposed breaking the planned purchase of up to 12 Type 212CD submarines from Germany into two batches, three sources told CBC News. Ottawa would commit to eight boats up front and decide on four more later. The idea came up during meetings in Ottawa last week with German builder TKMS and Norway's Kongsberg. Officials want to keep options open for future governments, since deliveries won't begin until the mid-2030s, and some question whether drones could eventually replace crewed submarines. Germany is studying how a smaller order might affect the $86 billion in promised economic benefits for Canada.