Canadian surface combatant
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Design of the future Canadian surface combatant will be based on BAE’s Type 26 warship
Overview
The Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) project, under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, will replace both the Iroquois-class destroyers and the Halifax-class multi-role patrol frigates with a single class of ship capable of meeting multiple threats on both the open ocean and the highly complex coastal environment. The CSC project is the largest and most complex shipbuilding initiative in Canada since World War II.
The CSC 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, counter terrorism, interdiction and embargo operations for medium intensity operations
- the delivery of humanitarian aid, search and rescue, law and sovereignty enforcement for regional engagements
The CSC project supports the Department of National Defence’s delivery of Canada’s Defence Policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged. 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.
Project at a glance
- Shipyard
- Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
- Project status
- Design phase
- Number of vessels to be built
- 15
- Project budget
- $56 to $60 billion
- Start of construction
- 2024
Current status
The project is currently in the Definition (Design) phase. The design team from Lockheed Martin Canada (LMC), was competitively selected to provide the CSC design, which is based on BAE’s Type 26 frigate. The design team, along with Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI), continues to develop the final design.
The year ahead
- ISI and LMC continue the design work for Canada’s future surface combatant
- The Government of Canada, in collaboration with its partners, continues to prepare for the CSC implementation contract
Progress of the project
- October 2016: Canadian surface combatant request for proposal (RFP) released
- October 2017: Amended RFP released
- July 2018: All bidders submitted final proposals, including financial bids and cured technical bids
- October 19, 2018: Preferred bidder identified. Due diligence process underway
- February 7, 2019: Design and design team contract awarded to Irving Shipbuilding Inc. and Lockheed Martin Canada
News
- Economic benefits from the Canadian Surface Combatant Project (February 8, 2019)
- Government of Canada selects warship design for Canadian surface combatants (February 8, 2019)
- Government of Canada delivers on its commitment to the Navy by announcing next steps in fleet procurement (October 19, 2018)
- Update on the evaluation process of the Canadian surface combatant request for proposals (August 13, 2018)
- Canadian surface combatant request for proposals closes (November 30, 2017)
- Establishment of a closing date for the Canadian surface combatant request for proposals (September 22, 2017)
- Competitive process launched to select design of Canadian surface combatant (October 27, 2016)
Related links
- National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces
- Royal Canadian Navy
- Irving Shipbuilding Incorporated
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development’s role in the maritime industry
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