Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the Government of Canada is ensuring the members of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) have safe and effective vessels required to protect Canadian sovereignty, while creating jobs and generating economic benefits for communities across Canada. Following an open and competitive process, Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of National Defence, has awarded a $55-million contract ($62.15 million including taxes) to General Electric Canada Aviation Marine, from Ottawa, Ontario, for in-service support of the Halifax-class LM2500 gas turbines. The ongoing maintenance of the gas turbines is an integral component of the entire fleet of Halifax-class ships, and the gas turbines will require in-service support until the arrival of the Canadian surface combatants.
“The Halifax-class frigates are the backbone of Canada’s maritime presence, and contribute to peace and security operations at home and around the world. This in-service support contract will ensure critical main propulsion machinery onboard the ships remains well-maintained and effective, and will allow our sailors to continue carrying out their important work,” said The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan Minister of National Defence.
The Halifax-class frigates monitor and control Canadian waters, defend Canada’s sovereignty, facilitate large-scale search and rescue activities, and provide emergency assistance when needed. The frigates also operate with and integrate into the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and coalitions of allied states in support of international peace and security operations. Introduced into service in the 1990s, the Canadian-built Halifax-class frigates were recently modernized to remain operational as the Government of Canada continues to rebuild Canada’s shipbuilding industry and deliver for the Royal Canadian Navy.
This contract award falls under the repair, refit and maintenance pillar of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, which is helping to ensure that Canada has a safe and effective fleet of ships to serve and protect Canadians for years to come, while providing ongoing opportunities for shipyards and suppliers across Canada. The Canadian surface combatants will replace the Halifax-class frigates and the retired Iroquois?class destroyers. With them, the RCN will have modern and capable ships to monitor and defend Canada’s waters, to continue to contribute to international naval operations for decades to come and to rapidly deploy credible naval forces worldwide, on short notice.
