The Canadian government announced on Saturday that the Department of National Defence has awarded an $8 billion deal to Irving Shipbuilding to begin construction of three new destroyers for the Royal Canadian Navy
Defence Minister Bill Blair said the new destroyer project would be Canada’s largest and most complex shipbuilding effort since World War II
Blair added that it would create more than 5,000 jobs in Halifax and across the country
However, the $8 billion only pays for the first six years of construction on the three new ships
The government said military planners now estimate the total cost of equipping and launching the three River-class destroyers will eventually reach $22.2 billion
“By investing in our own industry, Canadian workers are helping build the fleet of the future, equipping the Navy and our members with the modern, versatile ships they need to make Canada’s important contributions to peace and security at home and abroad,” Blair said
The first three ships will be named HMS Canadian Fraser, HMS Saint Laurent and HMS Mackenzie
It is named after Canada’s most important waterways that connect to the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans, the Department of National Defence said
Royal Canadian Navy Vice Admiral Angus Topshee also praised the long-awaited warship contract
“Today’s announcement is a major step forward in the delivery of the first three River-class destroyers,” Topshe said in a statement. “These impressive ships will provide incredible capability to the Royal Canadian Navy and Canada, ensuring we can defend our waters against any enemy and deliver frontline combat power anywhere in the world.”
The ships will include a CH-148 Cyclone multi-role military helicopter on deck
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