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 three River-class destroyers (RCD) being built for the Royal Canadian Navy.
Under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), the River-class destroyer program is the largest and most complex shipbuilding project in Canada. The new fleet of (possibly) 15 RCD ships will replace the current Halifax-class frigates and form the backbone of Canada’s naval combat capability, while rebuilding its domestic shipbuilding industry. The ships will be equipped with advanced technologies to enable the Royal Canadian Navy to respond to Canada’s defense and security commitments.
Irving Shipbuilding Inc. is leading the RCD program and is supported by Lockheed Martin Canada and a consortium of partners across Canada.
The awarding of the Implementation Phase Contract ensures that the first three RCD ships will be outfitted with OSI’s state-of-the-art Integrated Bridge Navigation System (IBNS). This Canadian-developed technology is already a proven capability across the Royal Canadian Navy, with successful implementation on the Resolve-class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessel, six Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS), and the new Joint Support Ships.
All systems are designed and manufactured at OSI’s headquarters in Burnaby, British Columbia, underscoring the company’s commitment to Canadian innovation and sovereignty. This continued collaboration with OSI demonstrates how the National Shipbuilding Strategy is driving domestic growth and elevating the global profile of Canadian naval technology.
“The River-class destroyer program represents a pivotal milestone in Canada’s shipbuilding history. Each contract awarded under the National Shipbuilding Strategy further strengthens our domestic industrial base and supports a robust, coast-to-coast Canadian supply chain,” says Glenn Copeland, General Manager, Lockheed Martin Canada Rotary and Mission Systems. “Lockheed Martin Canada is proud to continue its partnership with OSI Maritime Systems, bringing world-class, proven technology to advance the RCD program.”
“OSI is proud to mark a key milestone towards the development of Integrated Bridge and Navigation Systems for the first three River-class destroyers,” says Jim Girard, President and CEO of OSI Maritime Systems. “This contract award solidifies our team’s commitment to excellence and underscores the value of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy in enabling Canadian innovation. As we move into the next phases of the program, we look forward to supporting the RCN with leading tactical navigation solutions.”
