Canada is building 15 new warships, but the project faces massive cost uncertainty
In short: The River-class destroyer program aims to replace Canada's aging naval fleet with 15 advanced warships by 2050. Originally conceived as a multi-variant project, it has evolved into a singular, complex procurement effort. With costs projected to reach tens of billions, the program has become a focal point for intense national scrutiny.
The River-class destroyer project, formerly known as the Canadian Surface Combatant, is a massive naval procurement initiative designed to replace the retired Iroquois-class destroyers and the aging Halifax-class frigates. These new vessels, displacing approximately 8,000 tonnes, are intended to provide wide-area air defense alongside anti-submarine and anti-ship capabilities. While the government initially considered acquiring two different ship variants to handle these distinct roles, it ultimately settled on a single variant to improve cost-effectiveness and streamline crew training.
The procurement process has been marked by significant delays and controversy. In 2016, the government pivoted to buying an off-the-shelf design to save time and research costs. By October 2018, the Type 26 frigate design was selected as the preferred option. However, the project faced legal challenges from unsuccessful bidders and intense debate over spiraling costs. Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates from 2021 suggested the total cost for 15 ships could reach $77.3 billion, with potential for further increases tied to construction delays. A 2020 report by Alan Williams estimated the total life-cycle cost over 30 years could exceed $213 billion.
Construction is currently underway at Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Following the start of a production test module in June 2024 and full-rate production in April 2025, the keel for the first vessel, the future HMCS Fraser, was laid in June 2026. The navy expects the first ship to enter service in the early 2030s, with the final destroyer of the 15-ship fleet projected for delivery by 2050. As of March 2025, Irving Shipbuilding had received contracts totaling $12.87 billion, highlighting the immense scale of this long-term investment in Canadian maritime defense.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: River-class destroyer (2030s)
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