A contract has been signed between BAE Systems and Canada’s Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI), marking the start of the next major phase on the River-class destroyer program.
It follows the Canadian Government’s award of an implementation contract to ISI for the construction and delivery of the first three of 15 planned ships as well as the development and delivery of training, spares and maintenance to support the ships in service.
The River-class destroyer program is the largest and most complex shipbuilding effort undertaken in Canada since the Second World War. It will provide decisive combat power for operations at sea and in support of joint-force operations ashore. The River class will also support missions conducted including counter-piracy, counterterrorism, intelligence and surveillance, humanitarian assistance, research and rescue.
BAE Systems has designed the ship to meet the Royal Canadian Navy’s specific requirements and under this new contract will provide support and consultancy services throughout the build phase. This will ensure that ISI benefits from the expertise and learning gained across the UK’s Type 26 and Australia’s Hunter class programs.
