Defense technology company BAE Systems has signed a contract with Irving Shipbuilding to advance Canada’s River-class destroyer, or RCD, program. BAE Systems led efforts to design the ship according to the unique needs of the Royal Canadian Navy.
The award also covers training support and spares and maintenance for ships already in service.
ISI, the program’s prime contract, was awarded by the Canadian government in early March for delivering the first three of the planned 15 ships. The March deal follows a milestone achieved in December 2024, when the shipbuilder started work on the destroyer’s production test module to test and streamline the shipbuilding processes before full production commences.
The River-class vessels allow Canada to monitor and detect threats from surrounding waters. Designed as destroyers, the fleet could perform various operations with NATO partners and support counter-piracy, intelligence and surveillance, and humanitarian assistance, among other missions.
Anderson Smith, international program director at BAE Systems, said the company’s workforce played a vital role in advancing the initiative to its current state.
“Our team will play a crucial role in ensuring the successful delivery of the first batch of three ships and we’re looking forward to the journey ahead,” he added.
Irving Shipbuilding President Dirk Lesko shares Smith’s sentiment on the importance of the work for Canada, emphasizing the contribution of the local workforce to “design, build and maintain Canada’s surface fleet.”