Lockheed Martin Canada has selected Ultra Maritime to provide lifecycle support services for the Royal Canadian Navy’s upcoming River-class destroyers under a series of new contracts aimed at sustaining the fleet throughout its operational lifespan.
Lockheed Martin Canada serves as the combat systems integrator for the program, supplying advanced capabilities such as the Aegis Combat System, SPY-7 long-range radar, and the CMS 330 combat management system that will form the technological backbone of the future destroyers.
Through the contracts, Ultra Maritime will deliver engineering support, spare parts provisioning, and operational readiness services from the ships’ construction phase through testing, commissioning, and active deployment. The support package is intended to ensure high levels of fleet availability and long-term operational effectiveness.
The River-class destroyer program represents a major recapitalization effort for the Royal Canadian Navy, which plans to procure up to 15 vessels to replace its Halifax-class frigates. Nova Scotia-based Irving Shipbuilding is currently responsible for constructing the first three ships.
Based on the proven Type 26 design developed by BAE Systems, the River-class destroyers will feature a displacement of approximately 7,800 tonnes and dimensions of roughly 151 meters in length and 21 meters in width. The vessels will be capable of speeds up to 27 knots and will have an operational range of around 7,000 nautical miles.
The first ship of the class, HMCS Fraser, is expected to be commissioned in the early 2030s, with the final vessels projected to enter service by the middle of the century.
