The Government of Canada has officially announced on 8 March 2025, the awarding of a major contract to Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI) for the construction of the new River-class destroyers for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). This naval construction program is part of the national defense strategy Our North, Strong and Free (ONSAF). It aims to provide the RCN with a modern fleet that meets Canada’s operational needs in the coming decades. The initiative also includes support for the domestic shipbuilding industry, generating thousands of jobs and contributing to the Canadian economy.
This contract, with an initial value of CAD 8 billion, including taxes, will fund the construction of the first three River-class ships. The program’s total estimated cost for the commissioning of these initial destroyers is CAD 22.2 billion, covering the acquisition of the necessary equipment, systems, and munitions. The ships will be named after three of Canada’s major waterways: HMCS Fraser, HMCS Saint-Laurent, and HMCS Mackenzie, representing the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans, respectively.
Derived from the British Type 26 design, the River-class destroyers are intended for a wide range of missions, from anti-submarine warfare (ASW) to extended air defense. With a displacement of approximately 8,000 tons, these ships will be equipped with the advanced AN/SPY-7 radar and the AEGIS combat system, ensuring interoperability with NORAD and the U.S. Navy. Their arsenal will include SM-2 Block IIIC missiles for air defense, Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM) Block II for close-range protection, and Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) for anti-ship capabilities. Anti-submarine warfare will be supported by a towed sonar system developed by Ultra Electronics and an S2150 hull-mounted sonar, while torpedo launchers will be installed on board. The Leonardo 127mm Vulcano gun will provide naval fire support, while close-range defense will be ensured by the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) system and two stabilized Leonardo Lionfish 30/X 30mm guns.