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Although COVID-19 has had a significant impact across Canada, the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) has made significant progress in 2020. The question now, is what will the headwinds be like, in 2021 and beyond?

A look at the long journey of the Type 26 being chosen as Canada's new Surface Combatant design for the Royal Canadian Navy.

These state-of-the-art marine-sector innovations will be impacting modern navies around the world for decades to come, increasing efficiencies in a highly digital future.

Led by Lockheed Martin Canada as the Combat Systems Integrator (CSI), this team includes BAE Systems Canada contributing the Type 26 Global Combat Ship design, with support from other well-known Canadian companies and subsidiaries including CAE, L3 Technologies, MDA and Ultra Electronics.

The Canadian Surface Combatant program is the largest and most complex procurement to be undertaken by the Canadian Government to date. This program intends to replace the existing frigates and the now-retired destroyers with a fleet of 15 versatile new warships. Let’s look at each of the bidders, the proposed designs, and their teams.

Does Project Resolve represent a catch-all solution for future procurement? Not likely; but it does highlight how innovative and less-restrictive processes can circumvent the inertia that has been crippling defence procurement.

Developing a complete ship design capability in Canada, primarily to support the Canadian Government’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. 

Fleetway is an Engineering, Integrated Logistics Support and Technical Services company, providing services to Government and Industry customers since 1983.

Skilled engineers support the design, development and evolution of the Army's Land Command Support System and, as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, is a key systems integrator for the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard vessels.

Preparing for threats of next four decades will require next generation technologies and that includes the Infrared Search and Track system.

Specializing in corrosion management – maintains, restores, cleans and preserves all sorts of metal products and structures, even in the most demanding environments.

An innovative leader in engineering and program management support across the complete platform life cycle.

World renowned for design, construction and integration of state-of-the-art warships, as well as ship repairs and modernization, Integrated Platform Management systems, Fire Control systems, Command and Control systems, and Propulsion Plants. 

As a result of Canada's Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships program requirements, a team of engineers, scientists and technicians from Toronto-based Nanowave Technologies are working on innovative solutions for some of the world’s top defence and aerospace platforms and companies.

Seaspan Ferries has added the second of two new dual-fuelled/hybrid ferries to its fleet. Seaspan Reliant, the new state-of-the-art LNG-fuelled vessel, arrived in BC after the long voyage from Sedef Shipyard in Turkey.

Is it surprisingly ironic, or sadly inevitable, that the Liberals have begun to reach too far in a quest for control? On 27 October 2016, in a clarification to previous wording, the Government of Canada forbade any private companies interested in work on the CSC project (primes or subs) from any form of public announcement or promotion without prior consent from Irving Shipbuilding. This dangerous first step must be reversed – entirely.

DCNS will be working with Australia to ensure an evolving and integrated approach for the build and the sustainment of the submarine.

For those who thought Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) was dead, its time to wake up to the fact that submarine numbers worldwide have increased by some 100 boats over the past decade.

Canada is not alone in suffering serious naval equipment design and procurement problems. The list of dilemmas that effect naval procurement around the world is long and varied. 

Who's Where, Defence Industry Notes; new Nortrax facility; GE to power Japan's Aegis destroyers.

Do Canadians know how vulnerable the submarine fiber-optic cables are, and should we protect this critical infrastructure?

A clear illustration of how the NSPS for CSC has gone overboard in complexity, lacks transparency, and involves a process that puts contenders’ IP at risk.

A world leader in naval defence, and an innovator in the energy sector, DCNS delivers innovative solutions for integrated warships.

With now more than 900 highly skilled and experienced Canadian employees, Lockheed has been providing innovative solutions to the Canadian Armed Forces for decades.

One of the world's leading naval system providers, TKMS is acknowledged for superior technological excellence, reliability and longevity.

Based on Prime Minister Trudeau’s clear mandates to his new Cabinet ministers, the government is clearly ready to think outside the box when it comes to Defence Procurement.

The 21st century has been called a maritime century, but Canadians don’t see themselves as a maritime nation. Many factors impact the existing and future maritime capability, and can often have unforeseen consequences.

The $35B National Ship Procurement Strategy (NSPS) was first announced in June 2010 following several failed high profile procurement projects – notably the Joint Support Ship (JSS) in 2008, and perceived challenges in delivering a successful Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) project. Initiated with great optimism, FrontLine looks at its progression so far.

ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems offers design, project management, and a broad range of technology transfer expertise built uopn a long and successful track record of German naval engineering excellence.

Getting many new ship builds underway through cooperation with key government departments, ­managing operations with reduced fleets, finding innovative ways to train enough new recruits, and the daunting task of overhauling navy culture, are all key priorities on the Admiral’s plate.

The French frigate replacement program has strong similarities to key aspects of Canada's CSC program.

How Canada builds new destroyers could determine success or failure of National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy.

The new Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, has taken the wheel during a time of renewed fiscal restraint. How will these priorities affect readiness throughout the fleet?

With French battleship Aquitaine on her shakedown cruise, the French Navy visits Halifax.

The new emphasis on Security being recognized and supported by the Canadian Government has had a reinforcing effect on the Navy. After decades of downsizing, the Navy is building and diversifying to cover a wide range of security and policing roles on our coasts.

Because Canadians no longer live in a “fire-proof house” perhaps now might be the right occasion to pay heed to the words of Liddell Hart: “A self contained and sea-based amphibious force is the best kind of fire extinguisher because of its flexibility, reliability, logistics simplicity and relative economy.”

The Department of National Defence has a $3-billion plan to upgrade its frigates. Bu the mid-life refit and modernizations has been pushed back by funding shortfalls to the point where the oldest vessels of the class are not scheduled to begin their nine-month facelift until 2011.

It has been the fullest two years of Canadian naval activity since the end of the Korean War, and the lessons are legion.