Change of design for next-gen CSC is ‘not an option’, says Canadian Department for National Defence
The Canadian Department for National Defence (DND) is sticking to its guns in the planned build of 15 new frigates for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), just hours after a report issued by the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) estimated the cost of the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) programme had risen by C$7.5 billion ($5.99 billion) from its previous 2019 estimates.
The PBO report, published on 24 February, stated that the increase in estimated costs of the programme are due to a review of vessel specifications and the timing of production.
It added that construction of the frigates, which are heavily
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
How the Hormuz mine threat exposes potential Baltic MCM shortfalls
Ageing Baltic vessels and an absence of active minehunting vessel programmes in the region have been put under the spotlight in the recent conflict.
-
“We must end the mentality of ever larger platforms”: Why USVs are scaling
Multiple USV programme milestones announced last week, aligned with a reinforcement of the Royal Navy’s vision for a hybrid fleet, point to innovation-led ambition but also to a structural calculation with resource ceilings that neither London nor Washington can ignore.
-
As uncrewed naval systems advance, capabilities to counter them are emerging
Research programmes and system procurement efforts to counter uncrewed surface and underwater vehicle threats are accelerating as naval drone uptake spreads.
-
US Coast Guard to receive the first three Offshore Patrol Cutters in FY2026 and FY2027
After recording a nearly six-year delay in the OPC schedule, the USCG intends to advance with the programme, reaching multiple milestones in the short term.