The recent Parliamentary Budget Office report on the Joint Support Ships (JSS) made it clear that the build will cost significant money, and noted the huge difference in cost (and speed at which it was available) compared to converting MV Asterix as an interim solution. Setting aside the question of why such a report would be produced at this time when construction of the JSS is already underway, what can be said about the JSS build? The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) responded quickly to the PBO report and vigorously defended the JSS. No one was surprised at its defence of the project, but discussion continues on the topic.
There’s an interesting article in Frontline Defence (Vol. 17, No. 2) called “Joint Support Ship v. Budget Office?” available at https://defence.frontline.online/article/2020/2/15540-Joint-Support-Ship-v-Budget-Office
3 thoughts on “Support Ships for the RCN”
Regardless of the costs two JSS will most certainly be built with capabilities that are in excess in most areas of what MV Asterix has. The RCN may not use all the self defence, damage control survivability features etc but we should be giving our sailors the very best available and have those options as a contingency and adds to its versatility. MV Asterix is impressive however it is what it is, a decade old, floating one shafted gas can with nice cabins and a nice gym. (Thank you Finland)
The RCN may very well decide at some point to retain by purchasing or continue the lease however both options come with issues. Purchasing will saddle the RCN with a ship that over time due to its heavy use and age consume more and more precious maintenance resources and continued leasing is a expensive option and have limitations of where is can go in the Arctic.
Agree totally with you Retired RCN. What Canada really needs is a third JSS built and retire the Asterix as soon as possible. Cheers! Merry Xmas!!!
Retired RCN thank you for your clear, concise, fact-based comments. Something this overspun topic rarely attracts…