Two big shipyards will share $33 billion up for grabs for building large vessels
Shipbuilding in Canada is something I've completely sort of forgot about. I do remember 7 years ago being some what happy to hear about the CH-149 Cormorant Search and Rescue (Air & Sea) making its way (15) into mix of new assets for the Canadian Armed Forces.
Hey New York we've come alive again something new next time we come around.
The federal government recently announced a $35-billion shipbuilding plan that should see 28 large ships and 116 smaller vessels built in Canadian shipyards over the next 30 years. It's about time, not that someone like myself would benefit from this. It's definately closer than the UK shipbuilding yards if your flying eastward.
Irving’s Halifax Shipyard, Vancouver Shipyards and Davie Shipyard in Quebec City are thought to be the front-runners in seeking that designation, while smaller shipyards, such as the one in Marystown, N.L., will have a crack at the smaller vessels, and other firms across the country will get subcontracts.
Longtime NDP shipbuilding critic Peter Stoffer said the government seems to be describing a two-year process before any ship construction is underway.
"They don’t need two years. They could work with industry to get it much faster."
But Stoffer welcomed the announcement, saying the arrangement should allow the industry to better plan for the future.
"If they do it right, this can indeed be a successful day for all of Canada."
Premier Darrell Dexter said he was pleased with the new policy, and said MacKay should be congratulated for his leadership on the issue.
"Obviously, we have one of the most successful shipbuilding yards in the country," he said before Thursday’s announcement.
"We believe that our yard can compete with any in the country, and we’re happy to see the government moving in that direction."
Stoffer said it could mean good jobs for Nova Scotians.
"If you look at Halifax, it’s a tremendous opportunity. Take (Nova Scotia Community College) — they can train young people in the skilled trades of shipbuilding, then these people can have long-term employment."
I've completely left out the politics on this one. Heres the stuff things are made for your tax dollars.
A. Joint Support Ship - A 200 meter, 28,000 ton multipurpose vessel to support Canadian forces ashore or fleet deployments up to 6 times longer than normal.
A sustained speed of 20 knots. Able to carry "7,000t – 10,000t of ship fuel,650 – 1,300t of JP-5 naval aviation fuel, and 1,100 square meters of ammunition."
To deploy up to 4 helicopters, and act as a command ship.
These will eventually replace the HMCS Protecteur and HMCS Preserver.
B. Canadian Surface Combatant-This is expected to replace the Iroquois class destroyers, example our almost 40 year old flagship HMCS Athabaskan (DDH 282) and eventually all those over what ever class Halifax frigates.
About 6000 tons light with some type of Phased Array Radar, firing Sea Sparrow or even SM-3 missiles. Possibly SeaRAM or CIWS for self-defense.
C. Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ship-Able to operate in Canada’s Exclusive Economic Zones, in medium ice, for up to four months endurance.
Range of at least 6800 miles, a complete C3 capability, sustained cruise speed of 14 knots and a maximum of 17 knots. Also a gun armament and a lifespan of 25 years.
We're all kind of tired of hearing of the out of date "tin canned navy."
More backwater lashing read this:
Once-powerful navy is 'desperate for new ships'
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