Construction Begins on Canada's New River-Class Destroyers in Halifax

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Irving Shipbuilding has commenced work on the first of Canada's 15 new River-class destroyers, marking a significant advancement in the Royal Canadian Navy's fleet modernization efforts.

On June 12, in Halifax, Irving Shipbuilding officially launched the construction of the first of Canada’s 15 new River-class destroyers, a pivotal milestone in the Royal Canadian Navy's initiative to replace its aging fleet of frigates. The event drew hundreds of workers who gathered for the ceremonial laying of the keel, an age-old tradition that dates back to ancient Roman times. This ceremony included the placement of a silver coin within the ship’s hull, symbolizing good fortune for the future HMCS Fraser.
Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, the commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, emphasized that these new destroyers represent a significant generational advancement. With state-of-the-art radar systems and the capability to launch missiles into near-space, the vessels will enhance Canada’s defense against potential submarine threats. Topshee remarked, "We’ve already retired the four destroyers that this is part of the replacement for. The 12 Halifax-class frigates are doing great work but they were designed to last 30 years and it’s been more than that. So the faster we can get warships back out on the waters, the modern ships Canada needs, the better off we’re going to be."
Currently, the Navy's reliance on frigates is increasing, yet the maintenance demands for these vessels grow as they exceed their intended lifespan. In 2022, the federal government entered into a significant contract with Irving Shipbuilding, amounting to $8 billion for the first six years of the destroyer construction program, which will only cover a portion of the costs associated with the initial three ships, projected to total $22.2 billion. The Department of National Defence anticipates all 15 destroyers will cost around $60 billion; however, a 2022 report from the Parliamentary Budget Officer suggested the final tally could reach as high as $80 billion.
The Navy anticipates that HMCS Fraser will be delivered in the early 2030s, with Topshee expressing optimism about the potential for earlier completion due to the ongoing improvements at Irving's shipyard. The federal government envisions receiving nine vessels by 2040, delivered in small batches, while the complete order of 15 destroyers is expected to be finalized by 2050.
Jim Irving, CEO of Irving Shipbuilding, highlighted the project’s significance for local employment, noting that the shipyard currently employs 3,000 workers, along with an additional 500 contractors involved in the initiative. "It shows what is possible here in Canada, built at home, and with our own tradespeople, and our own management and infrastructure," Irving stated. "So it’s an exciting day, and it’s good for Canada. This is what Canada needs to be doing; we want to diversify the economy a little bit."
Irving Shipbuilding was selected as one of two key shipyards under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy in 2011, alongside Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards. In the past year, Irving successfully delivered the sixth and final Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship to the navy and is also constructing two additional ships for the Canadian Coast Guard.

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