Federal Fleet Services (FFS) has announced a significant development: the Government of Canada has opted to extend their Provision of Services Agreement (PSA) for the Combat Support Ship (CSS) Asterix by an additional three years. This agreement, initially structured with an optional five-year extension, underscores the effectiveness and reliability of the current partnership.
John Schmidt, President of Federal Fleet Services said, “Since 2018, Combat Support Ship Asterix has circumnavigated the globe several times working with NATO and other allied navies in military and humanitarian operations in the world’s most hostile regions – from the Persian Gulf to East Africa, the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula. In that time, the ship has performed flawlessly, without a single day of unplanned downtime. Asterix has truly earned her place as an essential capability for serving the needs of our military, as well as those of our allies.”
Under this arrangement, FFS not only supplies the Asterix but also ensures the vessel’s smooth operation by providing the necessary crew for maintenance and navigation. Complementing this, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) assigns Mission Specialists who play vital roles in naval defense operations. This collaboration between FFS’s civilian crew and RCN’s military personnel has created a unified team that operates with remarkable efficiency and skill.
Now in its seventh year, this innovative contracting model has proven to be both cost-effective and highly successful, solidifying its place as a notable Canadian achievement. The agreement, which was originally designed to cover an initial five-year term with options for extension and potential purchase, will remain in effect until at least January 28, 2028.
Alex Vicefield, CEO of the Inocea Group added: “Combat Support Ship Asterix has become an indispensable strategic enabler for Canada’s blue water naval operations. Its capabilities, experience and reliability have rightly earned the ship and its crew global acclaim. In an increasingly volatile world, we continue to make major strategic investments in Asterix to meet emerging threats and challenges. Congratulations to the Federal Fleet Services team for their flawless track-record and contribution to keeping Canadians and our allies safe and secure.”