River-Class Destroyer (RCD)

Project Type

Project Replace

Objective

To recapitalize the Royal Canadian Navy's surface combatant fleet by replacing and updating the capabilities found in both the retired Iroquois-class destroyers and the multi-role Halifax-class frigates and provide the necessary ammunition, training and support. The new River-class Destroyer (RCD) will ensure that Canada can continue to monitor and defend its waters and make significant contributions to international naval operations.

Requirements

15 River-class destroyers. These ships will be Canada’s major surface component of maritime combat power. With its effective warfare capability and versatility, it can be deployed rapidly anywhere in the world, either independently or as part of a Canadian or international coalition. The RCD will be able to deploy for many months with a limited logistic footprint. The RCD will be able to conduct a broad range of tasks, in various scenarios, including:

• delivering decisive combat power at sea;
• supporting the Canadian Armed Forces and Canada’s Allies ashore;
• conducting counter-piracy, counterterrorism, interdiction and embargo operations for medium intensity operations; and
• delivering humanitarian aid, search and rescue, law and sovereignty enforcement for regional engagements.

The project was initially budgeted at $56-60 billion, however, the cost of the full project is under review. As of March 2025, multiple contracts have been awarded to Irving Shipbuilding Inc. for a total of $12.87 billion (excluding taxes) to support the options analysis and design phases, including an Implementation Contract for the construction of Batch 1 ships at an initial value of $8 billion including taxes. These contracts span several years, and as of June 2025, we have spent approximately $4.92 billion of the contract values.

• the provision of decisive combat power at sea and support during land operations
• counter-piracy, counter terrorism, interdiction and embargo operations for medium intensity operations
• the delivery of humanitarian aid, search and rescue, law and sovereignty enforcement for regional engagements

The project is budgeted at $56-$60 billion with a Definition Contract awarded to Irving Shipbuilding under the National Shipbuilding Strategy in February 2019 for the design of the ship. The current Definition Contract value is $5.8B and will increase as design work progresses.

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Funding Range

Greater than $5 billion

Anticipated Timeline (Fiscal Year)

Options Analysis Phase

Completed

Definition Phase

Completed

Implementation Phase

In Progress

Initial Delivery

2030/2033

Final Delivery

2049/2050

Defence Capability Areas

• Missiles, Rockets, Ammunition & Other Munitions
• Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence
• Cyber, Electronic And Irregular Warfare
• Joint Support & Sustainment
• Real Property (INFRA)
• Sea
• Space
• Surveillance & Reconnaissance
• Training and Simulation

Defence Capability Investment Areas

• Ammunition, Ordnance, Specialized Munitions
• Feed Systems
• In Service Support
• Missile Systems
• Munitions Specific Support
• Propellants and Explosives
• Rocket Systems
• Small Arms
• Stabilization Systems
• Weapons Systems
• Battlespace Situational Awareness Tools
• Business Intelligence & Analytical Tools
• Data and Bandwidth Management
• Decision Support Tools
• Deployable C4I Systems
• Encryption
• Fixed Communications Systems
• In Service Support
• Information Management Tools
• Intelligence Fusion Tools
• Intelligence Mission Data Support Tools
• Navigation Systems
• Networks and Network Support
• Portable Communications Systems
• Satellite Communications Systems
• Cyber Network Resilience
• Electronic Attack Systems
• Electronic Countermeasures
• EW Integration Systems
• Exploitation Systems
• Information Operations Systems
• Military Information Support Systems
• CIS Support
• Life Saving and Support Systems
• Medical Facilities
• POL Systems
• Specialized Services (CBRNE, HAZMAT, diving)
• hangars, Jetties and Platform Support
• Other Infrastructure Requirements
• Other Real Property Requirements
• Combatant Ships
• In Service Support
• Marine Sub-Systems and Platform Management Systems
• Maritime Specific Replenishment Systems
• Maritime Specific Support Equipment
• Maritime Specific Services
• Propulsion Systems and Components
• Ship Parts and Components
• Small Craft
• Satellite Subsystems
• Advanced/Integrated Sensing Systems
• EO/IR Systems
• Fire Control
• Geomatics Systems
• Optical Systems
• Radar Systems
• Sonar and Acoustic Systems
• Surveillance & Recce Integration Tools
• Thermal Systems
• Tracking Systems
• Emerging/Advanced Training Techniques
• Simulation Software
• Simulation Equipment
• Target Services
• Testing Facilities
• Training Integration Tools
• Training Services
• Virtual Training Systems
• Training Support Facilities and Equipment

Key Industrial Capabilities

• Cyber Resilience
• Defence Systems Integration
• Electro-Optical/Infrared Systems
• In Service Support
• Marine Ship-Borne Mission and Platform Systems
• Munitions
• Remotely Piloted Systems and Autonomous Technologies
• Shipbuilding, Design and Engineering Services
• Sonar and Acoustic Systems
• Training and Simulation

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