Canada launches design competition for Canadian Surface Combatant fleet

The Canadian government has started one of the country’s largest and most complex procurement projects by announcing the start of a design competition for the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) fleet.

Irving Shipbuilding, the prime contractor for the project, released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for pre-qualified companies.

As it was announced earlier in the year, the future combatants will be based on an existing warship design which will result in an accelerated completion of the program.

The selected design team will work with the Canadian government and Irving Shipbuilding Inc. to design and construct the CSC ships.

According to the government, the design is expected to be selected by summer 2017.

“The Canadian Surface Combatant is the largest and most complex procurement project in recent history. This Request for Proposal was carefully developed in consultation with industry and highlights how our government is implementing innovative and proven procurement approaches to simplify the competitive process, increase job stability, and deliver the ships we need, sooner,” Canadian Minister of Public Services and Procurement Judy M. Foote said.

The Canadian Surface Combatant project will replace Canada’s aging Iroquois-class destroyers and Halifax-class frigates. Up to 15 ships are scheduled to be built after the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships are complete in the early 2020s.

The first CSC ship is anticipated to be delivered in the mid-2020s.