Irving Wins $22B Contract for Canadian Navy Warships

Irving Wins $22B Contract for Canadian Navy Warships: Irving Shipbuilding Inc. has landed a landmark $22.2 billion contract to build a new fleet of warships for the Canadian government. The Halifax-based company will construct the first three vessels in what represents one of Canada’s largest military procurement projects in decades. This historic deal, announced by the Government of Canada, excludes taxes and includes costs for equipment, systems, and ammunition needed to bring these advanced warships into service.

“By investing in our own industry, Canadian workers are helping to build the fleet of the future,” stated National Defence Minister Bill Blair. The economic impact stretches far beyond Halifax, with Blair confirming the project “will create more than 5,000 jobs in Halifax and across Canada, supporting local economies from coast to coast to coast.” This investment represents a significant boost to Canada’s maritime defense sector and broader economy.

River-Class Destroyers: Canada’s Naval Future

The new vessels, designated as River-class destroyers (RCD), form a crucial component of Canada’s updated defense policy “Our North, Strong and Free” (ONSAF). These versatile warships will enhance the Royal Canadian Navy’s capabilities across multiple mission types, including counter-piracy operations, counterterrorism, intelligence gathering, surveillance, interdiction, humanitarian assistance, and sovereignty enforcement.

Advanced Testing Facility Underway in Halifax

Supporting this naval expansion, the Department of National Defence is constructing a specialized land-based testing facility in Halifax. This installation, to be built on DND-owned land, will play a vital role in bringing the ships into service and supporting them throughout their operational lifespan. Construction is scheduled to begin summer 2025 with completion targeted for 2027.

The First Three Vessels

The initial trio of warships will carry forward proud Canadian naval traditions with their naming. They will be commissioned as His Majesty’s Canadian Ships Fraser, Saint-Laurent, and Mackenzie. The government has structured the initial construction contract for six years, with extensions planned as each vessel reaches completion.

Industry and Labor Reactions

Irving Shipbuilding President Dirk Lesko celebrated the announcement as “a major milestone for Irving Shipbuilding and for Canada,” noting that it “validates more than a decade of hard work by industry and government.” Labor organizations have also enthusiastically embraced the contract, with Unifor National President Lana Payne describing it as “the largest and most significant ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement program, and largest shipbuilding effort since the Second World War.”

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Long-Term Vision

This contract represents not just an investment in military hardware, but a comprehensive commitment to Canada’s defense industrial base. As Veterans Affairs Minister Darren Fisher noted, this “generational investment in our future fleet” will create sustainable employment and “launch a new wave of opportunities in the maritime defence sector.” The River-class destroyers will ensure Canada can defend its waters and project naval power globally for decades to come.

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