Editing Upholder/Victoria-class submarine (section)

==Search for a buyer==
===Failed sale to Pakistan===
{{Main|Karachi affair}}
In 1992, the United Kingdom learned that [[Pakistan]] had been in negotiations with [[France]] over the acquisition of submarines. The [[Second Sharif ministry|Sharif administration]] gave permission to the [[Pakistan Navy]] to acquire either diesel-electric powered or [[Air-independent propulsion|air-independent]] powered submarines. The Pakistan Navy's research team, comprising three admirals, visited [[Sweden]], China, France, and the United Kingdom. Original plans were to acquire the submarines from Sweden but later the acquisition of either the British ''Upholder''s or the French {{sclass|Agosta|submarine|4}} was recommended. During this time, Admiral [[Saeed Mohammad Khan|Saeed Khan]], the [[Chief of Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Naval Staff]] (CNS), had strongly suggested ''Upholder'' class vessels, but the [[Bainazir Bhuttoo Government|Bhutto administration]] chose French technology for several political and technical reasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/86201/agosta-submarine-deal-benazir-zardari-not-involved-ex-naval-spy-chief/ |title=Agosta submarine deal – Benazir, Zardari not involved: ex-naval spy chief |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912230221/https://tribune.com.pk/story/86201/agosta-submarine-deal-benazir-zardari-not-involved-ex-naval-spy-chief/ |archive-date=12 September 2018 |work=The Express Tribune |date=5 December 2010 |access-date=12 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/617254-ppp-govt,-not-navy,-purchased-french-subs,-in-a-deal |title=PPP govt, not Navy, purchased French subs, in a deal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728221406/https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/617254-ppp-govt,-not-navy,-purchased-french-subs,-in-a-deal |archive-date=28 July 2018 |work=The News International |date=12 October 2011 |access-date=12 September 2018}}</ref>

===Sale to Canada===
Following the cancellation of the [[Canada-class submarine|Canadian nuclear-powered submarine]] program, the Canadian navy sought to acquire conventionally-powered submarines again.<ref name=milner307>Milner, p. 307</ref> The Canadian National Defence White Paper of 1994 stated the intent to explore the purchase of the ''Upholder'' class from the UK.<ref>Perkins, p. 157</ref> The choice faced opposition and the price of [[Canadian dollar|$]]1 billion that the MoD demanded stalled the decision by the [[Cabinet of Canada]] to go ahead with the purchase. In the meantime, the subs were offered to Portugal and Chile. In 1996, another attempt to purchase the subs by Canada was stopped soon after starting.<ref name=perkins158>Perkins, p. 158</ref> In the meantime, the UK spent millions maintaining the submarines.<ref name=milner307/>

In April 1998, the Canadian government announced the potential acquisition of the ''Upholder'' class. The published cost was $750 million divided into two parts. $610 million was to be paid for the subs themselves and the remaining $140 million would cover related expenses.<ref name=perkins158/><ref name=milner308>Milner, p. 308</ref>

On 3 July 1998, the deal was ratified and two contracts were signed simultaneously. The first was an eight-year interest-free lease-to-purchase agreement for the four submarines, five training simulators and assorted training and data packages. The lease payments were part of a barter agreement for the continued access by the UK to Canadian Forces bases [[CFB Wainwright|Wainwright]], [[CFB Suffield|Suffield]], and [[CFB Goose Bay|Goose Bay]].<ref name=perkins158/> The second contract was with VSEL for the refits required for the reactivation of the laid-up submarines. This included modifications for Canadian service, new batteries, a training program and all spare parts.<ref name=perkins158/>

Although the Canadian government touted the $750 million CAD<ref name=defenseIndustryVictoriaClassProgram>{{cite web |title=Victoria Class Submarine Fleet Creating Canadian Controversies|date=4 December 2013|website=Defense Industry Daily|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/sub-support-contract-creating-canadian-controversy-04563 |access-date=7 January 2014}}</ref> procurement as a bargain, there have been arguments over the quality of the submarines with some suggestions that the purchase price will be at least spent again putting things right. Some Canadian opposition parties demanded that the British government fund any further costs, since it is widely believed that the submarines deteriorated while in storage and the Royal Navy was not completely forthcoming on their condition during the sale. However, Stephen Saunders, editor of ''[[Jane's Fighting Ships]]'', argued that "there is not something inherently wrong with the class of submarines."<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Upholder class (Type 2400)|url=http://www.ibiblio.org/maritime/media/index.php?cat=884|encyclopedia=MaritimeDigital Archive Encyclopedia|publisher=Frederic Logghe|access-date=7 January 2014}}</ref>

In 2008, Babcock Canada was awarded the contract to support the ''Victoria'' class in Canadian service in the period up to 2023. The potential value of the contract was over CAD $3.6 billion and required establishing a supply chain in Canada to support and sustain the submarines. Every six to nine years each ''Victoria''-class boat undergoes an extended docking work period (EDWP) involving comprehensive maintenance, repair, overhaul or upgrading of over 200 systems including sonar upgrades, mast upgrades and combat system upgrades.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canadiandefencereview.com/Featured_content?blog/125 |title=Babcock |website=canadiandefencereview.com |date=23 August 2018 |access-date=1 April 2021}}{{unreliable source?|date=April 2021}}</ref>

====Trainers====
''Victoria''-class submarines use eight Submarine Command Team Trainers built for the Royal Navy. These were moved from the UK to Canada by [[CAE Inc.|CAE]], [[Computing Devices Canada]], [[General Dynamics]] Canada and [[Irving Shipbuilding]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.combatsim.com/memb123/cnews/arch/cnews-arc185.htm |title=Daily News |website=combatsim.com |date=10 January 2002 |access-date=22 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gdcanada.com/news/detail.cfm?prid=258 |title=General Dynamics Canada – News Releases |publisher=Gdcanada.com |access-date=28 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425163301/http://www.gdcanada.com/news/detail.cfm?prid=258 |archive-date=25 April 2012 }}</ref> These devices are land-based systems using simulators and other training devices. ''Victoria''-class submarines also use a Canadian Submarine Escape Trainer, attached to a real submarine escape hatch to simulate escape procedures.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/cms/3/3-a_eng.asp?category=7&id=158 |title=Royal Canadian Navy: News – Domestic Stories – Homegrown Simulator Prepares Submariners for Emergency Escapes |publisher=Navy.forces.gc.ca |access-date=9 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523040701/http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/cms/3/3-a_eng.asp?category=7&id=158 |archive-date=23 May 2013 }}</ref>