Under the contract, SEA Canada will provide integrated logistic support as well as assistance with installation, set-to-work and acceptance of its Torpedo Launcher Systems for the new destroyers. The company will also deliver training and hands-on instruction aimed at developing Canadian expertise and ensuring the systems achieve maximum mission performance.
The River-class Destroyer programme is being led by Irving Shipbuilding Inc., with Lockheed Martin Canada and a consortium of partners supporting the project. The programme is intended to deliver a new generation of warships for the Royal Canadian Navy while strengthening Canada’s domestic defence industrial base.
The new contract builds on a previous agreement signed in 2024 worth C$28 million (£15.1 million) for the delivery of SEA’s lightweight Torpedo Launcher Systems to the Royal Canadian Navy. The weapon-agnostic system is designed to fire a variety of NATO-standard torpedoes and will be manufactured at SEA Canada’s facility in Ottawa.
Keith Cunnane, General Manager at SEA Canada, emphasised the role of domestic industrial capability in supporting the programme. “Enabled by the advanced production technologies and systems in our Ottawa manufacturing facility, this contract will ensure that the Royal Canadian Navy’s River-class destroyers Canadian-built Torpedo Launcher Systems are fully supported from within Canada.”
Cunnane added that the agreement would also contribute to expanding the company’s capabilities and workforce in the country. “As we continue to strengthen our relationship with Lockheed Martin Canada and enhance our sovereign supply chain to deliver innovative capabilities and ongoing ILS to the Royal Canadian Navy, we will further expand our Canadian team and technical capabilities.”
Lockheed Martin Canada highlighted the importance of domestic industry participation within the RCD programme. Bob Campbell, Acting General Manager of Lockheed Martin Canada Rotary & Mission Systems, said: “Providing sovereign capabilities that support the growth of the Canadian defence sector, its businesses, talented individuals and capabilities is a core component of the River-class destroyer program.”
He added that the collaboration with SEA Canada would support the long-term capability of the new warships. “We look forward to working with SEA Canada to deliver its innovative Torpedo Launcher System and ongoing capability support for the Royal Canadian Navy.”
