Preparing the RCN for the 21st Century

As of 2024, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) consists of 12 Halifax-class frigates, 3 Iroquois-class destroyers (to be replaced by 15 River-class destroyers), as well as a plethora of smaller patrol vessels. Canada previously had 2 Protecteur-class replenishment ships, but they were retired and are set to be replaced by 2 new Protecteur-class vessels named HMCS Protecteur and HMCS Preserver. As the frigates enter their mid-life refits, the Iroquois and Protecteurs are well overdue for replacement. The National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) is designed to help make the transition towards a new naval fleet for the 21st century.

According to the NSPS, Canada’s approach to preparing the RCN for the 21st Century comes down to three pillars:

1. Construction of larger vessels (more than 1,000 tonnes of displacement.)

• • Ongoing large vessel projects:
    • • Arctic and offshore patrol ships
      • Canadian surface combatant
      • Non-combat vessel shipbuilding projects (see 2nd half of page)

     

2. Construction of smaller vessels (less than 1,000 tonnes of displacement.)

• • Ongoing small vessel projects.

3. Vessel repair, refit, and maintenance projects.

• • Ongoing repair, refit, and maintenance projects.

Artist rendition of a Protecteur-class vessel. (Credit: RCN via Joint.Forces.com)

To learn more about NSPS’ progress, please visit Canada’s NSPS Reports website.

Main photo: Jonathan Whitworth, Seaspan CEO, celebrating the official start of one of the NSPS vessel. (Credit: Seaspan Vancouver via gCaptain)

Sources:

Government of Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Acquisitions Branch. 2023. “About the National Shipbuilding Strategy – National Shipbuilding Strategy – Sea – Defence Procurement – Buying and Selling – PSPC.” April 4, 2023. https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/app-acq/amd-dp/mer-sea/sncn-nss/apropos-about-eng.html.

“Large Vessel Shipbuilding Projects – Shipbuilding Projects to Equip the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard – National Shipbuilding Strategy – Defence and Marine Procurement – Buying and Selling – PSPC Services – PSPC.” March 12, 2024. https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/app-acq/amd-dp/mer-sea/sncn-nss/grandnav-largeves-eng.html.

“Small Vessel Shipbuilding Projects – Shipbuilding Projects to Equip the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard – National Shipbuilding Strategy – Sea – Defence and Marine Procurement – Buying and Selling – PSPC.” June 20, 2024. https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/app-acq/amd-dp/mer-sea/sncn-nss/petitnav-smallves-eng.html.

Government of Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Acquisitions Branch. 2022. “Repair, Refit and Maintenance Projects – Shipbuilding Projects to Equip the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard – National Shipbuilding Strategy – Defence and Marine Procurement – Buying and Selling – Services De SPAC – PSPC.” July 26, 2022. https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/app-acq/amd-dp/mer-sea/sncn-nss/reparation-repair-eng.html.

Public Services and Procurement Canada. 2024. “Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy Reports.” Canada.Ca. June 17, 2024. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/acquisitions/defence-marine/national-shipbuilding-strategy/reports.html.