Canada’s defence policy, “Strong, Secure, Engaged” (SSE), has committed to investing in 15 Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) ships – now known as the River-class Destroyers (RCD), these ships will be Canada’s major surface component of maritime combat power. With its effective warfare capability and versatility, it can be deployed rapidly anywhere in the world, either independently or as part of a Canadian or international coalition. The RCD will be able to deploy for many months with a limited logistic footprint.
The CSC/RCD will be able to conduct a broad range of tasks, including:
- Delivering decisive combat power at sea;
- Supporting the Canadian Armed Forces, and Canada’s Allies ashore;
- Conducting counter-piracy, counter-terrorism, interdiction and embargo operations for medium intensity operations; and
- Delivering humanitarian aid, search and rescue, law and sovereignty enforcement for regional engagements.
The acquisition is for 15 ships to replace both the retired Iroquois-class Destroyers and the Halifax-class frigates, with an estimated cost of $56-60 billion. This project cost also includes necessary ammunition, training, support, and infrastructure. Further costs for personnel, operations, and maintenance for the life cycle of the RCD ships are greatly influenced by the ship design and will therefore only be available later in the process. Start of construction on a production test module (PTM) began on June 28, 2024.
The RCD project is part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy. The RCD project is the largest and most complex shipbuilding initiative in Canada since the Second World War. This project will also help revitalize the Canadian shipbuilding industry, sustaining and creating thousands of high-skill jobs and enabling our ability to support the ships domestically when in service.
The project supports National Defence’s delivery of Canada’s defence policy: Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence
It also delivers on other important National Shipbuilding Strategy priorities, such as providing social and economic benefits for Canada through its Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy.
On November 2024, Canada announced that the federal government has awarded a contract valued at up to $1.85 billion (including taxes) to Lockheed Martin Canada (LMC) for the renewal of combat system integration in-service support (CSI ISS) for the Halifax-class frigates.
Irving has awarded Patlon contracts valued over $30 million to design and install flexible hose systems and bellows on the new ships. Building on the longstanding relationship between Patlon and Irving, this work will further support the growth and skill development of this Ontario workforce.
On March 8, Canada awarded Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI) an $8 billion initial contract award for the construction of three River-Class destroyers for the Royal Canadian Navy.
- READ: Irving Shipbuilding Awarded $8 Billion Initial Contract To Build 3 River-Class Destroyers for RCN
BAE Systems and Canada’s Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI) sign contract, marking the start of the next major phase on the River-class destroyer programme.
- READ: BAE Systems and Irving Shipbuilding sign contract for next phase of River-class destroyer programme
Score has been awarded a $89 million contract by Irving Shipbuilding to support the construction of Canada’s future River-class destroyer (RCD) fleet. Contract will add to the over $174.5 million in economic benefits delivered to Newfoundland through the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
- READ: Score awarded $89M contract By Irving Shipbuilding to support construction of River-class destroyers
Rolls-Royce has reached agreement on a significant scope of work to support Batch One of the River-class destroyer (RCD) program for the Royal Canadian Navy. Each ship will include three key components manufactured by Rolls-Royce: MT30 gas turbine for primary propulsion, the Mission Bay Handling System and our mtu Series 4000 diesel generators.
MDA Space announced that it has been awarded next phase contracts for the delivery and integration of two critical sensor systems for the River-class Destroyer (RCD) program. The contracts, valued at $60 million, are for the delivery and integration of sensor systems for the first three ships that improve situational awareness and protect the ships against laser and optical guided threats.
ISI is pivoting to the future and ramping up production for the RCD project. Parliamentary Secretary Blois highlighted that full-rate production on the first RCD, the future HMCS Fraser, is now underway, with delivery of this ship anticipated in the early 2030s. The shipyard will continue to integrate lessons learned from the earlier production of an RCD test module, as well as the AOPS project, into the construction process.
Irving Shipbuilding Inc. has awarded L3Harris a contract for work on the Visual Surveillance System (VSS) for Canada’s RCD fleet. This latest award builds on L3Harris’ existing Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) and Control & Instrumentation contract, bringing the total value to over $170 million for ships one through three.
- READ: Irving Shipbuilding awards L3Harris River-class destroyer contract: Visual Surveillance System
CAE signed a subcontract with Lockheed Martin Canada to begin the implementation phase for the RCD program (formerly the Canadian Surface Combatant), marking a significant milestone in the development of next-generation naval capabilities for the Royal Canadian Navy.
Lockheed Martin Canada has awarded OSI Maritime Systems (OSI) the contract to execute the Project Implementation Phase of the Integrated Bridge and Navigation Systems (IBNS) for the first three RCD.
CSC/RCD Definition
- Phase 1 revised: December 11, 2014
- Request for proposals launch: October 27, 2016
- Project approval for phase 2A – Initial Design Review: June 8, 2017
- Request for proposal close: November 30, 2017
- Selection of the warship design and design team and contract award of Definition Contract: February 7, 2019
- Revised project approval for design and production engineering: May 30, 2019
- Revised Project Approval (Definition Phase 2 – Design & Production Engineering): March 16, 2021
- Revised Project Approval (Definition Phase 2 – Design & Production Engineering): December 13, 2022
- Start of construction of Production Test Module: June 28, 2024
CSC/RCD Implementation
- Expected Implementation project approval: 2024/2025
- Expected Construction contract award: 2024/2025
- First delivery: Early 2030s
- Final delivery: by 2050
Close-out
- Late 2040s
Project costs
The acquisition is for 15 ships to replace Canada’s destroyers is currently budgeted between $56-60 billion. Project costs are under review, with updates to be provided prior to the project seeking the necessary authorities to proceed with Implementation.
The CSC/RCD ships will be able to conduct a broad range of tasks, in various scenarios, including:
- decisive combat power at sea and support during land operations
- counter-piracy, counterterrorism, interdiction and embargo operations for medium intensity operations
- the delivery of humanitarian aid, search and rescue, and law and sovereignty enforcement for regional engagements
ADDITIONAL INFO
