With the modernization of its surface fleet as a central objective, the Royal Canadian Navy is moving forward with the construction of the first of its new River-class destroyers, the future HMCS Fraser. Work is being carried out at Irving Shipbuilding’s shipyard in Halifax (Nova Scotia, Canada), where the project is being executed under the framework of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). The vessel is currently in the assembly phase, with significant progress having been made in the integration of key structural sections at the stern, which will house the propulsion and steering systems. This development marks a turning point in the process of replacing the Halifax-class frigates and the already-retired Iroquois-class destroyers, consolidating the program as the most ambitious naval project undertaken by Canada since the Second World War.
The River-class destroyer program, previously known as the Canadian Surface Combatant Project, calls for the construction of fifteen next-generation ships based on the Type 26 frigate design developed by BAE Systems. These vessels are intended to operate across a wide range of scenarios, from open-ocean operations to highly complex littoral environments. They will feature integrated capabilities for anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and surface warfare, while also being able to carry out search and rescue missions, humanitarian assistance, and maritime security operations.
The first batch will consist of HMCS Fraser, HMCS Saint-Laurent, and HMCS Mackenzie, their names paying tribute to three major rivers that connect the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans. Delivery of Fraser is expected in the early 2030s, marking the beginning of a new phase in the renewal of the Canadian fleet.
Regarding technical characteristics, the River-class destroyers will have an overall length of 151 meters, a displacement of 7,800 tons, and a range of 7,000 nautical miles. Propulsion will be based on a CODLOG system (combined diesel-electric or gas turbine), featuring electric motors and Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines. The ships will be equipped with the AEGIS combat system, a SPY-7 air-search radar developed by Lockheed Martin, hull-mounted and towed sonar systems from Ultra Electronics, as well as a comprehensive electronic warfare suite. Their primary armament will include SM-2 and ESSM surface-to-air missiles, Tomahawk land-attack missiles, Naval Strike Missile anti-ship missiles, and a 127 mm Leonardo naval gun for surface warfare.
HMCS Fraser represents the first tangible step in the construction of this new class of ships, whose development will enable the Royal Canadian Navy to maintain a modern and versatile fleet for the coming decades. The experience gained during its construction will serve as the foundation for optimizing processes and costs on subsequent units, consolidating a strategic program aimed at strengthening Canada’s operational and technological capabilities at sea in the 21st century.
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