EDITORIAL COMMENT


NSPS charts course for Canadian shipbuilding


The Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Halifax: Canada has not placed any significant naval shipbuilding contracts since the mid-1990s.


a new National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) charting the course for Canada and Canada’s shipbuilding industry in preparation for the Canadian Navy’s second century of service. The strategy guides the Government,


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the Canadian Navy, and the shipbuild- ing industry in fulfilling the commit- ments made in the Canada First Defence Strategy (CFDS). The strategy is also designed to meet the 2010 ‘Speech from the Trone’ commitment to support sustain- able development of a robust domestic shipbuilding industry through a long-term approach to federal procurement. Te Canadian government will, it says,


invest heavily in new naval ships by commis- sioning work over the long term. Tis will enable the shipbuilding industry to effectively manage work flows and make investments in infrastructure and skilled personnel. As the Department of National Defence


noted in a statement issued at the time that the NSPS was unveiled, the Canadian govern- ment has not placed any new substantial build orders for ships since the mid-1990s, and Canada’s national shipbuilding capacity – once enhanced by the construction of the Canadian Patrol Frigates and Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels – has been signifi- cantly eroded as a result. In recent years, several Canadian shipyards have either closed or converted to more generalised industrial pursuits, and others, such as Davie, have real financial problems. Te NSPS will, it anticipates, create – and


help to maintain – an effective and efficient long-term shipyard capability in Canada. Describing the NSPS as “a historic and


important shiſt in shipbuilding procurement, moving from a project-by-project basis to a long-term approach,” the Department for


Warship Technology July/August 2010


arly June saw the Department of National Defence and the Govern- ment of Canada announce details of


National Defence said this approach would generate enhanced regional and industrial benefits and engage what it described as Canada’s “world-class industrial skill-base”. “Te Navy’s fleet needs renewal to ensure


operations can continue in Canadian, Arctic, and international waters,” said the statement. “Our current fleet is aging, with some vessels entering their fifth decade of operation, some of which were designed for operations in the North. Te government’s objectives with respect to security, sovereignty and the North, as articulated in the CFDS, the Northern Strategy, and Advantage Canada, will be better served by a renewed fleet.” Under the NSPS two shipyards will be


selected to build large vessels (1000tonnes displacement and up). Tis selection process, led by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), will consider the experience, capability, and perform- ance of the shipyards. It will result in the signing of formal agreements establishing a long-term relationship between each yard and the Government of Canada. Te negoti- ation and signing of umbrella agreements with the successful shipyards is expected to occur in the 2011-2012 timeframe. One shipyard will be selected to build


combat vessels. Tis will enable the procure- ment of the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) and Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS). Te surface combatant project will renew the Canadian Navy’s surface fleet by replacing various warfare capabilities of the destroyers (Iroquois class) and multi-role patrol frigate (Halifax class) ships. The primary tasks of the Arctic ships


will be to conduct sea-borne surveillance operations in Canada’s Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ), including the Arctic; provide awareness of activities and events to various departments; and co-operate with other elements of the Canadian Forces and other federal government departments to assert


and enforce Canadian sovereignty. Another competitively selected shipyard


will build non-combat vessels, such as the Joint Support Ships (JSS), the capabilities of which will, said the statement, “be crucial to Canadian Forces”. Te JSS will increase the range of a naval task group, permitting it to remain at sea for significant periods of time without going alongside for replenishment. Tese vessels will also provide capacity for sealiſt and support to troops ashore. Shipyards among those not selected for


the building of large vessels may be engaged in the building and support (maintenance, refit, and repair) of the approximately 100 smaller vessels included within the strategy. “The NSPS also represents substantial


benefits to the broader marine industry in Canada,” said the Department of National Defence, noting that competitively selected shipyards will require parts, sub-assemblies, specialised services and other equipment to renew the federal fleet. This will help build sustainable supply chains with second and third tier companies, benefiting many Canadian firms, including small and medium enterprises. “It is in Canada’s interest to have a vibrant


and progressive marine and shipbuilding sector,” said the Department of National Defence. “Shipyards equipped with modern infrastructure will be well positioned to make productivity improvements to deliver federal fleet renewal in a cost-effective manner.” “Canada is a maritime nation with the


longest coastline of any country in the world. Te shipbuilding strategy establishes strategic relationships with Canada’s marine industry to deliver modern, multi- purpose Navy and Coast Guard fleets. This is essential to sustaining Canada’s sovereignty and prosperity by safeguard- ing international trade, as well as enforcing Canadian law and authority,” the Depart- ment of National Defence concluded. WT


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