Canada upgrades its Halifax-class frigates
The 12 Canadian-built Halifax-class multi-role patrol frigates are undergoing an upgrade with new radar antenna kits. (Photo: Royal Canadian Navy)
The Royal Canadian Navy has contracted Saab to provide multi-role Sea Giraffe AMB naval radars antenna kits for the upgrade of its Halifax-class frigates.
The contract also includes associated equipment and spare parts with an order value over SEK 300 million ($33 million).
The upgrade is based on the customer’s requirement to sustain the service life and enhances the performance of Halifax-class frigates.
The Halifax fleet also recently completed a Frigate Equipment Life Extension programme, which incorporated elements of the 9LV combat system to integrate with additional sensors and weapons.
The work will be carried out in Canada and Sweden, starting this year and continuing through to 2026.
Sea Giraffe AMB is a multi-role 3D surveillance radar system for naval applications. It provides medium range, simultaneous air and surface surveillance and has a weapon designation capability.
It is suitable for demanding naval environments, from littoral to blue-water operations.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the Sea Giraffe AMB has the ability to simultaneously track air and surface targets, with an optional mortar and rocket detection capability.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
RTX confirms US Marine Corps and US Navy acquire Hadalus UUV
RTX told Shephard that the Hadalus UUV has been procured by the US Marine Corps and the Office of Naval Research for operational experimentation as the company prepares additional demonstrations with the US Navy, NATO and AUKUS partners.
-
Europe’s naval contractors benefit from growing refit and upgrade demand
Rheinmetall’s order to modernise the German Navy frigate Bayern points to a wider European shift towards extending warship service life as new-build programmes face delay.
-
The UK joins the movement towards joint procurement
The UK will spend an estimated US$3.89 billion over the next decade in joint naval programmes, a lot of which will be in cooperation with Norway.
-
Rheinmetall’s GMF 140: Ambitious frigate or market misfit?
Rheinmetall has unveiled its first next-generation frigate design, showing ambitions to compete as a surface combatant prime contractor. While the company is targeting North America, analysts believe the concept may be better positioned for future European programmes.
-
US Navy $76.6bn award provides stability for submarine production
The US Department of War’s US$76.6 billion Columbia-and Virginia-class submarine contract gives industry demand certainty as Washington seeks to rebuild its shipbuilding base.
-
Dreadnought Phase 4 opens £2.5 billion supply chain opportunity
The UK government’s £8.4 billion Dreadnought Phase 4 investment sets aside £2.5 billion for the wider submarine supply chain, opening new work beyond BAE Systems’ prime contract.