River-class (Canadian Surface Combatant)

The River-class destroyer, previously designated as the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) under the Single Class Surface Combatant Project, is a procurement program for the Royal Canadian Navy. Initiated under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the program is designed to replace decommissioned Iroquois-class destroyers and the aging Halifax-class frigates. In June 2016, the Canadian government decided to acquire and modify an off-the-shelf design rather than developing a new vessel. In October 2018, the Type 26 frigate design, proposed by a consortium led by BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin Canada, was selected as the preferred design. The Canadian government signed the contract with the selected bidders in February 2019, with Irving Shipbuilding designated as the prime contractor to construct the vessels in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The River class utilizes a single-variant design based on the Type 26 hull, modified to fulfill multiple combat roles. This configuration replaces the original plan to build distinct general-purpose and air-defence variants. The ships are equipped for wide-area air defence, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-ship warfare. Propulsion is provided by a combined diesel-electric and gas (CODLOG) configuration. The combat suite integrates the Aegis Combat System with a Canadian Tactical Interface and the Cooperative Engagement Capability sensor netting. Surveillance and targeting sensors include the AN/SPY-7(V)3 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and an MDA solid-state target illuminator. For underwater warfare, the ships utilize Thales towed sonar and Ultra Electronics hull-mounted sonar. The design also incorporates a flexible mission bay with a dedicated handling system to accommodate modular containers, vehicles, and multi-role boats.

There is no operational history for the class, as the vessels remain in the construction phase. Construction of a production test module began in June 2024 to refine manufacturing processes, followed by the start of full-rate production in April 2025. The keel for the first vessel of the class, the future HMCS Fraser, was laid in June 2026. Early construction on the first three vessels—Fraser, Saint-Laurent, and Mackenzie—is underway. The first vessel is projected for delivery in the early 2030s.