In due course, after several expressions of interest by various governments, the Canadian Navy emerged as the prospective candidate. They would lease the four boats for 5 years culminating in an option to purchase for a token fee. This agreement also enabled the UK/NATO to utilise Canadian. military airfields for their operations over the same period. Meanwhile, Barrow shipyard came under the new ownership of GEC in 1995 being renamed Marconi Marine (VSEL) Limited in 1996 and Marconi Naval Systems in 1998.
An Upholder Class reactivation programme at Barrow was initiated in 1999 which included the fitment of various alternative equipments to replace removed UK MoD classified equipments or to satisfy specific Canadian operational requirements.
