Irving Shipbuilding has awarded Babcock Canada a $37.5-million contract to supply the systems that move food, stores and ammunition around the Royal Canadian Navy's new River-class destroyers.
Driving the news: Babcock will design, build, and support installation and commissioning of the food hoists and stores lifts on the first three destroyers under construction at Irving's Halifax shipyard. The contract was announced Oct. 5.
Deliveries run through 2029.
Why it matters:
The River-class program is the largest shipbuilding project in Canadian history, and supply contracts like this one determine how much of the work stays in Canada.
Babcock says it will develop a local design, build and support capability, positioning the deal under Ottawa's "Build Canadian First" push in the new Defence Industrial Strategy.
The contract also gives Babcock Canada a foothold beyond its traditional sustainment role, as the company works to grow a technology and product business.
How it works: The design is based on Babcock's system for the U.K.'s Type 26 frigate, the same baseline used for Australia's Hunter-class program.
It is built to move heavy loads safely while the ship is at sea.
What they're saying: Jason Young, Babcock Canada's vice-president of marine and mission systems, said the contract is a step toward expanding the company's product business and Canada's "sovereign naval sustainment capabilities."
Lee Fromson, Irving's vice-president of supply chain and quality, cited Babcock's commitment to developing Canadian capability.
Bottom line: It's a modest contract on a massive program, but it shows the River-class supply chain taking shape, with Type 26 heritage and a Canadian build.
