On October 31 the Canadian federal government announced it is taking action to bolster the capabilities of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) while boosting the national economy. Committed to equipping RCN members with top-tier resources to defend Canada’s sovereignty, the government has announced a major investment that combines military readiness with job creation.
In a recent announcement, Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant, detailed a contract awarded to Lockheed Martin Canada (LMC) valued at up to $1.85 billion, inclusive of taxes. This significant contract, issued on behalf of Minister of National Defence Bill Blair, will secure ongoing support for combat system integration in-service support (CSI ISS) for the Halifax-class frigates. These frigates, the core of Canada’s naval fleet, are critical to the country’s maritime security and operational readiness.
“This contract with Lockheed Martin Canada underscores the federal government’s commitment to supporting the Royal Canadian Navy and ensuring it has the equipment it needs to assert Canada’s sovereignty and protect Canadians. The contract will ensure continued combat system integration services to the Halifax-class frigates, which remain the foundation of the Royal Canadian Navy until the gradual arrival of the River-class destroyers,” said the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant.
This renewed contract guarantees that the Halifax-class frigates will receive continued service and support until they reach their expected end-of-life timeline. By that point, the Canadian Navy’s new River-class destroyers will gradually replace them, ensuring seamless continuity in Canada’s naval capabilities. Economically, this contract is expected to inject $76 million into Canada’s GDP each year and sustain as many as 680 skilled jobs across the country annually.
“This contract is not only an investment in our Navy, it is also an investment in Canadian industry and workers. The Royal Canadian Navy’s fleet of Halifax-class frigates are the backbone of maritime operations at home and abroad. This in-service support contract will ensure our frigates remain operationally effective until the arrival of our future fleet of River-class destroyers,” stated the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence.
Canada’s Halifax-class patrol frigates are not only essential to national defence but also to vital maritime operations. From patrolling Canadian waters and airspace to assisting in large-scale search and rescue missions, these frigates contribute to both national security and global peace efforts. Today’s investment will fortify Canada’s presence on the world stage and its commitment to upholding peace, security, and sovereignty.
“Our government is making a crucial investment to ensure that Canada’s naval capabilities remain strong. The combat management system 330 is an export success story, as this Canadian-made solution has been adopted by several allied navies. Through the support announced today, the government is helping the Royal Canadian Navy maintain the highest standards of operational readiness and is contributing to jobs, innovation and economic growth across the country,” expressed the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.