Halifax shipyard begins construction of Canada's first River-class destroyer

Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax officially commenced construction of Canada's first River-class destroyer, marking a significant step in the nation's shipbuilding endeavors. The keel-laying ceremony celebrated this milestone, alongside the delivery and launch of the country's final Arctic and offshore patrol ship. This event underscores a 15-year commitment by the Canadian government to build ships domestically.

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Fifteen years ago, the Government of Canada made a commitment to build ships in Canada, and here, we are finally at the culmination of the starting part of that journey.

Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Royal Canadian Navy Commander, highlighted the journey, stating, "Fifteen years ago, the Government of Canada made a commitment to build ships in Canada, and here, we are finally at the culmination of the starting part of that journey." The River-class destroyer is a key component of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, a large-scale initiative with an estimated cost of $56 to $60 billion. Irving Shipbuilding was selected in 2011 as one of two principal shipyards for this strategy.

Irving Shipbuilding CEO Jim Irving expressed pride in the project, saying, "It shows what is possible here in Canada, build at home, with our own tradespeople. It’s good for Canada. This is what Canada needs to be doing." The 15 new warships are slated to replace the Iroquois-class destroyers and Halifax-class frigates, modernizing the Canadian defense fleet. These destroyers are designed for decisive combat power, capable of counter-piracy, counter-terrorism operations, and integrated air and missile defense, including advanced radar and missile systems.

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It shows what is possible here in Canada, build at home, with our own tradespeople. It’s good for Canada. This is what Canada needs to be doing.

As a symbol of good luck, a commemorative coin was welded into the ship's hull during the ceremony, a tradition dating back to Roman times. The first ship, HMCS Fraser, is anticipated to set sail in the early 2030s, though the Royal Canadian Navy is pushing for expedited construction due to global uncertainties. "The world’s a pretty uncertain place right now," said Topshee. "We’ve already retired the four destroyers that this is part of the replacement for. The faster we can get warships back out on the waters, the modern ships Canada needs, the better off we’re going to be."

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The River-class destroyers can have a radar that can see into space, missiles that can reach the edge of space, it’s going to have a full spectrum of capability. So it will be part of integrated air and missile defence for Canada, so protecting ourselves from all the threats. It will still be a very capable anti-submarine warfare ship and whenever we need to contribute abroad.

The federal government projects receiving nine vessels by 2040, with the full order of 15 destroyers expected to be completed by 2050. This initiative represents a substantial investment in Canada's defense capabilities and domestic industrial capacity.

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The world’s a pretty uncertain place right now. We’ve already retired the four destroyers that this is part of the replacement for. The faster we can get warships back out on the waters, the modern ships Canada needs, the better off we’re going to be.