Canada’s next-generation naval fleet has reached another key milestone, with Lockheed Martin Canada awarding OSI Maritime Systems the Integrated Bridge and Navigation System (IBNS) production contract for the first three River-Class Destroyers (RCD).
The contract places a Canadian-developed and manufactured navigation solution at the heart of Canada’s largest and most complex shipbuilding program. As the Royal Canadian Navy prepares to replace its Halifax-class frigates with a fleet of 15 River-Class Destroyers, OSI’s technology will provide the safety-critical navigation capabilities that underpin modern naval operations.
Under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), the River-Class Destroyer program represents a cornerstone of Canada’s future naval combat capability while also serving as a catalyst for domestic industrial growth. Irving Shipbuilding is leading the program as prime contractor, supported by Lockheed Martin Canada.
For OSI, the award reinforces its role as one of Canada’s leading defence technology companies. The Burnaby, British Columbia-based firm will deliver a variant of its Integrated Navigation & Tactical System (INTS), powered by ECPINS, the predominant Warship Electronic Chart Display Information System (WECDIS) used by NATO and allied navies. The agreement follows previous contracts supporting the project’s design and implementation phases.
The company’s contribution extends beyond technology delivery. OSI’s participation supports high-value engineering and software jobs in Canada, strengthens the domestic naval supply chain, and reinforces sovereign control of Canadian intellectual property throughout the fleet’s lifecycle. With systems already supporting more than 26 allied and NATO navies, the company’s involvement in the River-Class Destroyer program also strengthens opportunities for Canadian defence technology exports.
“At OSI, we are honoured to be both a global company and proudly Canadian. As a valued supplier within the National Shipbuilding Strategy, we represent the very definition of ‘made in Canada.’ The advanced naval systems relied upon by the Royal Canadian Navy—and by more than 26 allied navies around the world—are designed, developed, and integrated right here in Burnaby by our team of over 400 employees,” said Jim Girard, President and CEO of OSI Maritime Systems.
The River-Class Destroyers are designed to support a broad spectrum of missions, ranging from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to high-intensity combat operations. The first three vessels will each be equipped with OSI’s IBNS technology, providing the foundational navigation and situational awareness capabilities required for modern naval warfare.
OSI’s selection also builds on a longstanding record of supporting Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. The company has previously delivered IBNS solutions for the Resolve-class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment Vessel, six Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, and the Joint Support Ship program, with all systems designed and manufactured in Canada.
“This is a very exciting stage of the RCD program, and it adds to the expanding roster of tactical navigation systems we supply to customers worldwide. Equally exciting are the advancements we are making not only in navigation systems, but also in our ECPINS technology – the de facto NATO & Allied Europe WECDIS, autonomous capabilities, and integrated mission management systems. Each of these capabilities is being developed to integrate seamlessly with one another, with the ultimate goal of enhancing crew and ship safety,” explained Jim Davison, Vice President of Business Development.
The award also highlights the continued collaboration between Lockheed Martin Canada and Canadian industry as the River-Class Destroyer program advances toward production.
“Lockheed Martin Canada is proud to continue its partnership with OSI Maritime Systems, delivering proven Canadian technology to the River-class destroyer program. OSI represents the strength of Canada’s industrial base and the innovation helping power the renewal of the Royal Canadian Navy,” expressed Stephen Isaacs, General Manager, Lockheed Martin Canada Rotary and Mission Systems.
As construction of Canada’s future surface combatant fleet moves forward, the contract underscores the growing role of Canadian-developed technology in delivering sovereign capability, supporting skilled jobs, and strengthening the nation’s maritime industrial base for decades to come.