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The remaining sub, HMCS Onondaga (SS 73) has gone through various refits including the Submarine Operational Project which provided more modern sonar and fire control systems. Further refits saw the upgrading of weapon launching and fire control systems for the U.S. Mk48 torpedo. This sub was subsequently fitted with towed array sonar beginning in 1993.
The Oberon class are diesel-electric submarines with 2 diesel electric motors that provide 6,000 hp. They are capable of 18 knots submerged and have a complement of 65.
In early April, the Canadian Government announced that it had finalized an agreement to purchase four Upholder Class diesel electric submarines from Britain. The Upholders will replace the aging Oberons. The agreement, a $750 million dollar lease-to-buy arrangement, will see the first Upholder delivered in the year 2000 with the remaining three following at six month intervals.
The Upholders were built in the late-80s, but were mothballed after Britain made the decision to go with an all nuclear submarine fleet. While the Oberons are all based in the Atlantic fleet, the acquisition of four subs will see one heading for Canada's west coast.
