A French nuclear-powered attack submarine surprised locals when it surfaced in eastern Canada, just 300 miles from the U.S. border.
The FS Tourville, a Suffren-class submarine, arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, earlier this week, sparking unfounded rumors that its presence was linked to Donald Trump’s calls for Canada to become the 51st U.S. state. However, these claims were quickly debunked.
The submarine’s arrival coincides with Canada’s plans to invest C$60 billion ($42 billion) in modernizing its aging submarine fleet. France and Canada had already signed a defense and security partnership agreement in September 2024, strengthening their military cooperation.
Nova Scotia’s Lieutenant Governor Mike Savage welcomed the FS Tourville on social media, emphasizing the collaboration between allies. The vessel, which will remain in Halifax until March 21, is equipped with advanced weaponry, including cruise missiles and torpedoes, and is capable of extended missions of over 270 days at sea.
France’s Naval Group, which built the FS Tourville, is reportedly interested in securing a contract to supply Canada’s new submarines, with Ottawa planning to acquire between six and twelve vessels by 2035. Meanwhile, the FS Tourville is set to conduct experiments in Canada’s far north, including testing navigation in icy waters.
French officials highlighted the stopover as an opportunity for Franco-Canadian collaboration in military expertise, with the French Defense Attaché in Ottawa calling it a step toward strengthening operational and industrial ties between the two nations.
