On March 8, 2023, Canada’s Ministry of National Defence announced a contract awarded to Irving Shipbuilding Inc. for the delivery of new River-class destroyers as part of the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) program. The contract, valued at CAD 8 billion, includes the construction and delivery of three destroyers over six years, along with spare parts, training services, and maintenance support. These new vessels are designed to enhance national defense capabilities by protecting territorial waters, supporting land operations, and participating in international operations alongside allied nations, while also addressing modern threats such as piracy and terrorism. The total estimated cost for the first three ships is CAD 22.2 billion, encompassing construction, logistics, and essential armaments. The implementation of this contract is projected to contribute CAD 719.3 million annually to Canada’s GDP and sustain approximately 5,250 jobs from 2025 to 2039. Built to BAE Systems’ Type 26 design, the River-class destroyers will replace outdated Iroquois-class destroyers and Halifax-class frigates. With construction slated to begin in 2025 and the lead ship, HMCS Fraser, expected to be delivered in the early 2030s, this initiative marks the largest and most complex shipbuilding endeavor in Canada since World War II, aiming to revitalize the national shipbuilding industry and secure a sovereign production capability.
