The Canadian Government has requested a $387m potential sale of Mk54 lightweight torpedoes and related equipment from the US.

The foreign military sale will include 425 Mk54 lightweight torpedo conversion kits, subject to Congress approval.

Additionally, the US will supply torpedo containers, recoverable exercise torpedoes (REXTORP) with containers, fleet exercise section (FES) and fuel tanks, air launch accessories for fixed wing, and torpedo spare parts.

Approved by the US State Department, the deal will also include training, publications, support and test equipment, US Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services.

In a statement, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said: “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the US by helping to improve the military capability of Canada, a Nato ally that is an important force for ensuring political stability and economic progress and a contributor to military, peacekeeping and humanitarian operations around the world.”



The procurement will allow Canada to upgrade its current inventory of Mk46 torpedoes to the Mk54 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) torpedo, which is in service with the US Navy.

The low-cost Mk54 upgrade kit allows easy conversions of the existing Mk46 torpedo.

If the sale is finalised, the Mk54 lightweight torpedoes are expected to be used on the Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class ships, the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CP-140 Aurora aircraft.

The torpedoes are also planned to be deployed from the CH-148 maritime helicopters.

“The low-cost Mk54 upgrade kit allow has been designed for conversions of the existing Mk46 torpedo.”

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems is the primary contractor for the Mk54 torpedo.

Canada is expected to negotiate an offset agreement with the contractor prior to signing the letter of offer and acceptance (LOA).

Mk54 has the ability to tackle submarine threats in both deep and shallow water. Using sophisticated processing algorithms, the torpedo can track, classify and attack underwater targets.