Canadian Offshore Patrol Ship contract awarded
The Public Works and Government Services department of Canada has awarded a contract for six Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) to Irving Shipbuilding, the department announced on 23 January.
Under the contract worth C$2.3 billion ($1.85 billion), the company will construct six AOPS as part of the national shipbuilding procurement strategy.
Construction of an initial block for the first AOPS is scheduled for the summer, while full production will commence in September 2015. Delivery of the first HMCS Harry DeWolf class ship is expected in 2018.
The new DeWolf-class Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships will be equipped with state of the art sensors and will also be able to operate and support the new CH-148 Cyclone naval helicopters. Operating in conjunction with other capabilities of the Canadian armed forces and the Canadian Coast Guard, the DeWolf-class ships will play a critical role in the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Arctic.
The AOPS will have a number of capabilities, including: the ability to operate in first-year ice up to one metre in thickness; the ability to sustain operations for up to four months; command, control and communication capability to exchange real-time information with the armed forces maritime security operations centres; modern surface search radars; and a gun armament.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![How far will the US Navy’s FF(X) design deviate from the Legend-class?]()
How far will the US Navy’s FF(X) design deviate from the Legend-class?
The new frigate class’s focus on modularity, speed to build and enhanced armament align with the priorities of the US Navy’s Golden Fleet.
-
![How China’s naval advancements are pushing the US Navy to innovate]()
How China’s naval advancements are pushing the US Navy to innovate
The US Navy is set to invest $30 billion in artificial intelligence, cyber, space and autonomy research and development efforts in FY2026 as the force rethinks how it fights in light of China’s naval rise.
-
![UK and France signal shift to autonomous helicopters to boost naval power]()
UK and France signal shift to autonomous helicopters to boost naval power
Recent developments in France and the UK highlight how autonomous helicopters are becoming central to naval force design as navies seek to integrate crewed and uncrewed systems at sea.
-
![What HII’s UK expansion could mean for Royal Navy’s uncrewed future]()
What HII’s UK expansion could mean for Royal Navy’s uncrewed future
As HII prepares to deliver its latest AI-enabled uncrewed surface vessel later this year, its major UK facility expansion aligns with the UK Royal Navy’s plans for a hybrid fleet.
