CSC Tidbits

Dan Middlemiss, 02 December 2020.

For an interesting interview with Rear-Admiral Casper Donovan, Director General Future Ship Capability on the many ideas and factors currently shaping the design of the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC), go to this podcast from the Canadian Global Affairs Institute’s ‘Defence Deconstructed’ series [1].

For those seeking some insight into the progress of Australia’s Hunter-class frigate program, a similar ship to Canada’s CSC, see this assessment of the program’s rising costs and stretched-out delivery schedule, by Marcus Hellyer of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute [2].

Finally, for a hint of future budget issues for the CSC, see these two recent media reports [3][4].

References:

1. Podcast interview led by Dave Perry with Rear Admiral C.P. Donovan, accessed at: https://soundcloud.com/user-609485369/defence-deconstructed-designing-the-navys-future-ships (recorded 9 October 2020);
2. Marcus Hellyer, “Australia’s Hunter-class frigates are coming, but maybe not soon enough”, The Strategist, aspistrategist.org.au (26 November 2020). [Accessed at: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australias-hunter-class-frigates-are-coming-but-maybe-not-soon-enough/ ];
3. David Perry, “Canada’s surface combatant costs might be taking on water”, The Hill Times, (18 November 2020). [Accessed at: https://www.hilltimes.com/2020/11/18/canadas-surface-combatant-costs-might-be-taking-on-water/271931 ];
4. See also, Neil Moss, “DND says budget for Surface Combatants remains unchanged; PBO report expected in late February”, The Hill Times, (25 November 2020). [Accesses at: https://www.hilltimes.com/2020/11/25/dnd-says-budget-for-surface-combatants-remains-unchanged-pbo-report-expected-in-late-february/273203 ].