Several Canadian submariners are heading to the other side of the world — and to new postings in a navy that recently inked one of the most lucrative deals in the world to buy a new fleet of submarines.

“We are aware that there are some Canadian submariners who have recently joined the Royal Australian Navy (RAN),” said Akshata Rao, manager of public diplomacy at the Australian High Commission. “However, we are unable to provide further details as the Australian Defence Force does not actively recruit in Canada.”

While Rao did not confirm the number of Canadians joining the Australian fleet, a spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Navy told iPolitics three submariners are releasing.

“What we have is two commanders and a lieutenant navy … One has released already, the two have submitted their intent to release so they have not released yet,” said Cpt. Rick Donnelly.

He could not comment on whether either of the three had indicated plans to join the Australian Defence Force, citing privacy concerns.

Canada has four Victoria-class submarines that were purchased second-hand from the U.K. in 1998 and which have gained a reputation for mechanical problems over the years.

The four subs rotate through a cycle of actually being able to head out to sea. Currently the HMCS Corner Brook is docked in Victoria and scheduled to remain there undergoing extensive scheduled repairs until next year.

While the Canadian government announced a plan in its long-awaited June defence policy review to extend the lives of the vessels in its submarine fleet until the 2030s — which will likely come with a price tag of around $2.5 billion — countries in the Asia-Pacific region have been building out their fleets in recent years as geopolitical tensions simmer.

Australia in contrast has six submarines but has struggled for years to recruit the roughly 500 sailors needed to operate the full fleet, not to mention the additional subs it is set to acquire as part of a $36.3-billion deal with French firm DCNS. Australian and defence officials have characterized the deal as central to the country’s ability to enforce its interests as countries like China continue to test boundaries.

The private sector, particularly the resource industry, has been a draw for many of the individuals with the advanced expertise and technical training desired by the military, so finding fighter pilots, special forces officers and submarine crews has been especially tricky.

That is driving Australia to continue its hunt for specialized talent abroad, zeroing in on other Commonwealth and close allied countries.

Australian media reported in 2011 that the government had sent a delegation to the U.K. to learn more about how they might recruit former military members to fill gaps in several specialized fields within the navy and air force. The website for the Australian Defence Force says the force will fast-track citizenship for Commonwealth recruits after three months of service.

The exact number of Commonwealth released military members recruited by Australia is not clear, though U.S. military affairs publication Stars & Stripes pegged the number at 500 between 2008 and 2012 from Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and New Zealand.

For those being recruited, the lure of a growing and active submarine force may be too strong to resist.

“Smart move on their part,” said Carleton University professor Steve Saideman when asked about Canadian submariners jumping ship for down under.

“Their subs actually spend time at sea.”