By Dr. Timothy Choi, 5 January 2023
Ottawa and Irving have signed the contract for the construction of AOPS 7 and 8 for the Canadian Coast Guard. These two will come in at a project budget of $1.6 billion, a $100 million increase over the last estimated project budget of $1.5 billion dating from the previous year.
At the same time, the project budget for the RCN's six AOPS has grown from $4.3 billion to $4.98 billion. The $4.3 billion figure was released prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the ensuing supply chain, labour, and global inflation problems, it would be surprising if the budget required to complete the project in this "post"-COVID world didn't have to be increased.
As I noted to the reporter in the CBC article, one spot of unexpected news is how little (relatively speaking) the CCG variant budget envelop has grown. Given the fact that most of the ship's spaces have to be modified to fit Coast Guard accommodations, IT, and workspace standards, there is a lot of room for cost increases to occur. As well, the CCG variant is in many ways a more complex vessel than the RCN version due to a large number of additional sensors (nearly a dozen hull-mounted sensors!), equipment, and laboratories that the CCG requires for its science missions. Contrary to popular assumptions, it is not simply a matter of removing the weapons from the RCN version and calling it a day.
It is also important to note that the budget figures are for the entire project, of which the actual construction contracts for each ship is only one component. This means the construction costs for each ship is lower than a simple division of the project budget by the number of hulls. The project budget includes salaries for project management, spare parts, training, infrastructure, and other elements needed to support the entire acquisition process. This makes it difficult to compare with cost figures provided by other countries for their naval construction projects.
4 thoughts on “Contract signed for CCG AOPS; budget grows”
Yes it will be very interesting to see how much it will differ from the RCN variant beside the obvious absence of the 25mm gun. It will be a most welcome addition to the CCG fleet. These ship are about the same size as the River class Icebreakers. Besides offshore patrolling, there should be ample space on these ship to conduct scientific mission for the Government of Canada. For those interested, here is the latest issue of the Maritime Engineering Journal totally dedicated to the AOPS project. It gives a different perspective on the Project.
https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/dnd-mdn/documents/mej/42-071-maritime-engineering-journal-102.pdf#page=1
As I understand it, the CG Captain who will crew the first CG AOPS variant did a deployment with Harry Dewolf and made some suggestions on what the variant should include. One interesting item is the bridge wings will be longer than the current RCN variant. Obvious others is the cabins will be more comfortable and considerable space for scientists.
Thank you for this post and its very helpful discussion of the differences between the RCN and CCG versions of the AOPS and the related costs.
They may help calm the usual anti-AOPS/anti-CAF rants that appear from time to time in this Forum.
Great article and attachment. If the design of the HMCS Harry DeWolf design can be traced to the Svalbard then the design of the Svalbard is traceable to the supply boats that service or serviced the North Sea Oil fields. Aside from the Scandinavian design authorities it is also apparent if you compare the general lines of the AOPS design and the TOR Viking ships, which are now operated by the Canadian Coast Guard (CCGS Molly Kool). The Offshore Oil industry has much to offer when it comes to innovation and if the AOPS can succeed and excel in the coming year then the Offshore may provide more inspiration.
After CSC a new generation of AOPS should be on the table. With respect to the recent CNR article there are some other possibilities too. Such as an AOPS version of the North Sea Dive Support ships with their Saturation Dive Spreads and Moonpool for the operation of submersibles. An AOPS version would have a mission could include deep sea Submarine support, and a repair capability and defence of all manner of subsea infrastructure including pipelines and cables. On another path the existing AOPS design with its diesel electric plant, bow thruster and stabilization fins could be the genesis of a type of sub hunter. A second generation AOPS could have a lengthened stern section, which in combination with the existing electrical generation capability opens the way for experimentation with a submarine battery farm. The benefit would be a short term, multi hour, and fully electric, quiet operation. The fins can become larger to support a low power 3D sonar operation and a potential camera system. The open ocean is very clear and it is possible to view quite far in clean water, this I personally saw in the Ninian Field from the video feed of TREC (ISE) submersible . A new generation of Optical Cameras that are sensitive in the blue spectrum could be tested on these ships.
Asterix and Davie, for those that were watching, provided a taste of the prefabrication and fitting techniques used in the Offshore Platforms. The lukewarm success of Nanisivik and its litany of problems points to the need for another solution. A solution might be a version of the large semi-submersible barges used to service Offshore Platforms. Their size and mobility is indisputable. The well preserved state of the Franklin ships show that if might be possible to situate one out of the way of the main ice flows.
Lastly human resources. The pictures of the men from the DeWolf standing on the ice under the Northern lights has echoes of the Seal Hunters. When people see images like this they recognize something from the DNA of Canada and it inspires. If the Canadian Armed forces want to recruit then this is the type of thing the Canadian Public would understand as a part of a Canadian naval mission. If you can get enthused men and women out on the ice and off of the ships it will open up a new dimension for naval operations – anyone for hunting for subs in March on the ice under full sun? The AOPS Helicopter and small boats then become a huge asset, not to mention the perk of fresh fish once in a while.