Canada will be recapitalizing much of the naval and coast guard surface fleets under its National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS). Much of this promised $38 billion is earmarked for 15 Canadian Surface Combatants (CSCs). These ships are expected to be the new workhorse of the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN), designed […]
Halifax-class frigates
24 posts
Jack Granatstein, one of Canada's foremost historians, has written a significant op-ed for the Ottawa Citizen (“National interests collide in shipbuilding strategy,” 30 October 2013). In it he quite correctly argues for a realistic assessment of the additional costs of made in Canada solutions versus what might be cheaper foreign […]
Friday’s news carried a couple of stories that speculated on whether or not the Sikorsky H-92 ‘Cyclone’ helicopter deal will be cancelled. CBCNews ran a story, entitled ‘Other options’ sought for Sea King Helicopter replacements, that quoted Public Works spokesperson Amber Irwin as saying, “the government is considering other options […]
Mr. Milewski’s underlying assumption in the article is stated in his byline: “Cost of Arctic patrol ships' design sparks warning of another procurement ‘fiasco.’ ” The facts offered in support of the article by the CBC include: Ottawa will pay Irving Shipbuilding $288 million just to design — not build […]
A report by David Pugliese entitled “New Zealand To Upgrade Frigates” advises that the Government of New Zealand is searching for a midlife upgrade for its two ANZAC-class frigates. While one would have expected the New Zealand government to begin its search for an upgrade in Australia, it would appear […]
* Moderator’s Note: This article was original published in The Nova Scotian on 21 March 2012. Over the past year I have used this column to discuss the role of your navy in contributing to Canada’s maritime security, defence and prosperity. I have written about the need for your navy […]
I would like to take up Stan Weeks’ challenge in his article on “Density as a Ship Design Factor.” Stan references a U.S. Government Accountability Office report. Those interested can find it on line here. Concerns expressed with the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG-51) Flight III design option not only relate to […]
Word is reaching me that the number of designs under consideration for the AOR-JSS ship is down to only one. Apparently, the Spanish have been told that their Cantabria-class AOR [an enlarged version of the Spanish Patino-class] is no longer in the running. This leaves only the German Berlin-class design. […]
* Moderator’s Note: This article was original published in The Nova Scotian on 13 November 2011. Nova Scotians and Atlantic Canadians have reason to be proud and to celebrate the recent awarding of the combatant portion of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) to Irving Shipbuilding Inc. This will also […]
I agree with much of Ken Hansen’s analysis. While we have indeed done badly at maintaining leading edge capabilities after purchase (note, however, exceptions of Halifax-class, CP-140, and CF-18 mid-life projects), I would not immediately accept your second point that the F-35 is entirely for conflict against a peer competitor. […]