Government of Canada awards contract for in-service support for Halifax-class combat systems

GATINEAU, QC, Nov. 6, 2020 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to providing the members of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) with safe and effective vessels required to protect Canadian sovereignty, while creating jobs and generating significant economic benefits for communities across Canada.

Following an open and competitive process, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, and the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, announced that the Government of Canada has awarded a contract to General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada, from Ottawa, Ontario, for in-service support on 6 Halifax-class combat systems (HCCS). The HCCS are an integral component of the entire fleet of Halifax-class ships and will require in-service support until the arrival of the Canadian Surface Combatants.

This initial contract is valued at approximately $182 million (including taxes) over 6 years, and will maintain up to 106 jobs.

The Halifax-class frigates monitor and control Canadian waters, defend Canada's sovereignty, facilitate large-scale search and rescue activities, and provide emergency assistance when needed. Introduced into service in the 1990s, the Canadian-built Halifax-class frigates were recently modernized to remain operationally effective and relevant until the Canadian Surface Combatants enter into service.

The Canadian Surface Combatants will replace the Halifax-class frigates and the retired Iroquois-class destroyers. With them, the RCN will have modern and capable ships to monitor and defend Canada's waters, to continue to contribute to international naval operations for decades to come and to rapidly deploy credible naval forces worldwide, on short notice.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada remains firmly committed to continue delivering the modern equipment that the members of the Royal Canadian Navy need when performing their important duty on Canada's waterways. Moreover, this in-service support is another example of how the government helps tomaintain our existing Royal Canadian Navy fleet, while creating jobs, and generating good economic opportunities for businesses and Canadians."

The Honourable Anita Anand

Minister of Public Services and Procurement

"These systems will provide our women and men in uniform with the equipment they need to do the important job we ask of them. The six systems that will be maintained under this contract will help our sailors detect, track, and identify threats to their ship, which will give them greater protection as they conduct their mission in the service of our nation's interests. I am proud to see Canadian companies contributing to our Canadian military excellence at home and abroad."
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan
Minister of National Defence

"Through this procurement, our Government is supporting economic growth as we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. This contract will lead to opportunities for Canadian suppliers, investments in skills development, training and research, and will generate export opportunities for Canadian businesses."
The Honourable Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

Quick facts

    --  Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the Government of Canada
        successfully modernized the RCN's fleet of 12 Halifax class frigates to
        ensure they continue to meet evolving operational needs. As part of this
        modernization project, various combat systems onboard the frigates were
        retrofitted through the Halifax-Class Modernization/Frigate Life
        Extension Combat System Integration Design and Build contract. These
        include, but are not limited to, detection and search radars, navigation
        radars, fire control systems (targeting radars), and target
        identification systems.
    --  The initial contract is valued at approximately $182 million. Its amount
        may increase over the next 6 years as work progresses, depending on
        whether more maintenance is required. The total value for up to 12 years
        will be determined if and when options to extend the contract are
        exercised.
    --  The Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy, including the Value
        Proposition, applies to this procurement.
    --  The frigates operate with and integrate into the United Nations, the
        North Atlantic Treaty Organization and coalitions of allied states in
        support of international peace and security operations.
    --  In July and August 2019, Irving Shipbuilding Inc., Seaspan Victoria
        Shipyards Limited, and Chantier Davie were each awarded a $500-million
        contract to carry out maintenance work on the first group of Canada's
        Halifax-class frigates.

Associated links

Link to Buy and sell

Halifax-class Modernization/Frigate Life Extension

Halifax-class frigates: Maintaining Canada's federal fleet of combat vessels

Industrial and technological benefits

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