Canada names its long-awaited Joint Support Ship, HMCS Protecteur
HMCS Protecteur at the Seaspan shipyard. (Photo: Seaspan)
Development of the Protecteur Joint Support Ship was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic and supply chain issues.
HMCS Protecteur, the longest naval vessel ever built in Canada, was commissioned at Seaspan Shipyards on 13 December. It is the fifth ship to be designed by Seaspan under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
The Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN’s) two Joint Support Ships (JSS), HMCS Protecteur and HMCS Preserver, have had a long and interrupted journey to development, having first been planned in 2013 as replacements for the Navy’s Protecteur-class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessels.
In 2017, the procurement of the two new JSS was approved by the Canadian government and a C$2.4 billion (US$1.77 billion) contract awarded to Seaspan to deliver the vessels.
Related Articles
Keel laid for future HMCS Protecteur
Is the end in sight for Canada’s painful Joint Support Ship procurement journey?
The building of the ships then ran into two significant delaying factors, namely supply chain complications and the worldwide Covid pandemic, which meant that by June 2022, Canada’s procurement authority, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), had to announce delays to the delivery dates of both vessels.
HMCS Protecteur was pushed from 2023 and is now likely to enter service fully in 2025 and Preserver is likely to enter service in 2027.
The JSS will provide at-sea replenishment for the RCN fleet, but will also be able to integrate with either Canadian or allied task groups as required.
Bill Blair, Canada’s Minister of National Defence, said: “Joint Support Ships provide the Royal Canadian Navy with the essential capability to support naval task groups. These ships are an investment not only in defence but also in Canadian industry, workers and our economy.”
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Protecteur Class Joint Support Ship (JSS) (1-2) [Canada]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US representatives plan to invest $1.6 billion in US Coast Guard inventory in FY2026]()
US representatives plan to invest $1.6 billion in US Coast Guard inventory in FY2026
The FY26 Homeland Security Bill Markup of the House Committee on Appropriations included resources for the procurement of ships, aircraft and unmanned systems.
-
![US Navy seeks industry partners to address pressing research needs]()
US Navy seeks industry partners to address pressing research needs
The Office of Naval Research will host an Industry Engagement Day in August aiming at building new partnerships and advancing its science and technology initiatives in multiple areas.
-
![Raytheon awarded $1.2 billion in contracts for AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the US Navy]()
Raytheon awarded $1.2 billion in contracts for AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the US Navy
Under the most recent contract, the US Navy will receive four additional AN/SPY-6(V) radars, increasing the number of radars under contract to 42. The radars are considered key for expanding the navy’s capability for air defence.
-
![Royal Canadian Navy’s final Harry DeWolf-class vessel to be delivered this summer]()
Royal Canadian Navy’s final Harry DeWolf-class vessel to be delivered this summer
The sixth Canada’s Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship is currently at the final stages of construction within Irving Shipbuilding.
