Sections
Log in
Top News
U.S. News World News Featured Voices
Odd News
Entertainment
Movies Music TV
Sports
Soccer NFL NBA MLB NHL Golf Horse Racing Tennis Col. Football Col. Basketball
Photos
News Entertainment Sports Features Archives
More...
Defense Featured Science Health Archive Almanac
About Feedback
About Feedback
Search
Trending
'Kim Possible'
'The Kissing Booth'
Haiti
X-ray girl
Illinois shooting
'American Girl'
Sarah Sanders
Orangutan
Japan's Ainu
Roger Stone
Climate change
Daytona 500
Defense News
Feb. 11, 2019 / 12:33 PM

Lockheed contracts BAE for Type 26-variant ships for Canada

The Type 26 Global Combat Ship was designed to replace the British Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates. Canada is now the second nation, after Australia, to adopt the design for itself.

By
Allen Cone
This is an artist's rendering of the British Type 26 frigate, which will be a similar design for 15 ships in Canada. Image courtesy BAE Systems

Feb. 11 (UPI) -- The Royal Canadian Navy has selected BAE System's Type 26 design for an anti-submarine warship.

Lockheed Martin Canada has tapped BAE Systems for the design as it develops the design for 15 vessels, based on the Type 26 global combat ships to be constructed for Britain and Australia, BAE announced Friday.

The Type 26 was originally designed to replace the British Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates -- the first of which enter service in 2020 -- and Australia already has adapted it for its planned Future Frigates as part of the SEA 5000 program.

The initial contract for frigates is worth $185 million, but will increase as warships are constructed. The total contract is worth around $45 billion.

RELATED Lockheed awarded $77.8M for Navy's undersea warfare system

The ships will be built at Irving Shipbuilding's Halifax Shipyard, and will replace the Halifax-class frigates and the retired Iroquois-class destroyers.

The design work is expected to take up to four years and construction is projected to start in the early 2020s, according to Navy Technology website. The design team also include CAE, L3 Technologies, MDA, and Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems.

"The selection of the Type 26 design for the Canadian Surface Combatant reinforces its position as one of the world's most advanced anti-submarine warships and showcases the strength of British innovation on the global stage," said Andrew Wolstenholme, group managing director of BAE Systems Maritime and Land UK. "This is great news for the company, the sector and our Naval Ships business and continues to build on our recent success in Australia for the Hunter Class Frigate program."

RELATED U.S., British naval ships conduct exercises in South China Sea

The Canadian government will work with Lockheed to prepare a customized design to meet the country's needs, as well as to incorporate Canadian systems and equipment.

The nearly 500-foot-long vessel can be deployed independently or in a task group to conduct high-intensity warfare, humanitarian assistance and other missions.

The ships are designed to support anti-submarine warfare, air defense and general purpose operations anywhere. The company said it will be "acoustically quiet, versatile and highly survivable."

RELATED BAE awarded $225M for APKWS kits rocket upgrades

"I am aware that this has been a very competitive process, and this outcome is testament to the importance of the deep UK-Canada defense and security relationship," said Dr. Liam Fox, Canada's international trade secretary. "The announcement will bring further prosperity to both nations and is another demonstration of the success of BAE Systems' Type 26 Global Combat Ship design, after it was recently chosen as the winning design for a contract with the Royal Australian Navy."

Gavin Williamson, Britain's defense secretary, applauded the decision.

"Canada's selection of our cutting-edge Type 26 Global Combat Ship design for their future frigate program shows that Britain remains a world leader in maritime design and technology," he said. "As a valued NATO and Five Eyes partner, Canada's decision demonstrates our close and historic relationship, and this news will ensure our defense partnership continues to thrive for generations to come."

An unsuccessful bidder, Alion Science and Technology Corp. and its subsidiary Alion Canada, is legally challenging the decision, CBC News reported.

  • Topics
  • Liam Fox
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more UPI news and photos.

Trending Stories

Alligator seized during Pennsylvania drug raid
'The Kissing Booth' to have Netflix sequel
Trump declares emergency to fund border wall; Democrats promise fight
'American Girl' live-action movie in development
China closes Mount Everest Tibet route to tourists over trash pileup

Photo Gallery

 
Balloons take flight at Al-Ula Balloon Festival in Saudi Arabia

Latest News

Stephen Curry's mom, Sonya, drains half-court shot
NBA commissioner Adam Silver unveils futuristic jerseys
Ben Wallace, Chris Webber highlight Basketball Hall of Fame finalists
Detroit Lions release safety Glover Quin, two others
Thousands of British students skip school to protest climate change
 
Back to Article
/
Back to top
About UPI Contact Feedback Advertisements Submit News Tips
Copyright © 2019 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of UsePrivacy Policy