Canada’s next-generation naval fleet has reached another key milestone, with Lockheed Martin Canada awarding OSI Maritime Systems the Integrated Bridge and Navigation System (IBNS) production contract for the first three River-Class Destroyers (RCD).

The contract places a Canadian-developed and manufactured navigation solution at the heart of Canada’s largest and most complex shipbuilding program. As the Royal Canadian Navy prepares to replace its Halifax-class frigates with a fleet of 15 River-Class Destroyers, OSI’s technology will provide the safety-critical navigation capabilities that underpin modern naval operations.

Under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), the River-Class Destroyer program represents a cornerstone of Canada’s future naval combat capability while also serving as a catalyst for domestic industrial growth. Irving Shipbuilding is leading the program as prime contractor, supported by Lockheed Martin Canada.

For OSI, the award reinforces its role as one of Canada’s leading defence technology companies. The Burnaby, British Columbia-based firm will deliver a variant of its Integrated Navigation & Tactical System (INTS), powered by ECPINS, the predominant Warship Electronic Chart Display Information System (WECDIS) used by NATO and allied navies. The agreement follows previous contracts supporting the project’s design and implementation phases.

The company’s contribution extends beyond technology delivery. OSI’s participation supports high-value engineering and software jobs in Canada, strengthens the domestic naval supply chain, and reinforces sovereign control of Canadian intellectual property throughout the fleet’s lifecycle. With systems already supporting more than 26 allied and NATO navies, the company’s involvement in the River-Class Destroyer program also strengthens opportunities for Canadian defence technology exports.

“At OSI, we are honoured to be both a global company and proudly Canadian. As a valued supplier within the National Shipbuilding Strategy, we represent the very definition of ‘made in Canada.’ The advanced naval systems relied upon by the Royal Canadian Navy—and by more than 26 allied navies around the world—are designed, developed, and integrated right here in Burnaby by our team of over 400 employees,” said Jim Girard, President and CEO of OSI Maritime Systems.

The River-Class Destroyers are designed to support a broad spectrum of missions, ranging from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to high-intensity combat operations. The first three vessels will each be equipped with OSI’s IBNS technology, providing the foundational navigation and situational awareness capabilities required for modern naval warfare.

OSI’s selection also builds on a longstanding record of supporting Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. The company has previously delivered IBNS solutions for the Resolve-class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment Vessel, six Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, and the Joint Support Ship program, with all systems designed and manufactured in Canada.

“This is a very exciting stage of the RCD program, and it adds to the expanding roster of tactical navigation systems we supply to customers worldwide. Equally exciting are the advancements we are making not only in navigation systems, but also in our ECPINS technology – the de facto NATO & Allied Europe WECDIS, autonomous capabilities, and integrated mission management systems. Each of these capabilities is being developed to integrate seamlessly with one another, with the ultimate goal of enhancing crew and ship safety,” explained Jim Davison, Vice President of Business Development.

The award also highlights the continued collaboration between Lockheed Martin Canada and Canadian industry as the River-Class Destroyer program advances toward production.

“Lockheed Martin Canada is proud to continue its partnership with OSI Maritime Systems, delivering proven Canadian technology to the River-class destroyer program. OSI represents the strength of Canada’s industrial base and the innovation helping power the renewal of the Royal Canadian Navy,” expressed Stephen Isaacs, General Manager, Lockheed Martin Canada Rotary and Mission Systems.

As construction of Canada’s future surface combatant fleet moves forward, the contract underscores the growing role of Canadian-developed technology in delivering sovereign capability, supporting skilled jobs, and strengthening the nation’s maritime industrial base for decades to come.

At its core, the investment is about visibility—ensuring Canada can see, understand, and respond to activity in an increasingly contested orbital environment.

By 2028, MDA Space will establish three remotely operated telescope sites across Alberta, Manitoba, and New Brunswick. These installations will provide persistent, reliable surveillance of objects in orbit, forming a critical component of Canada’s evolving space surveillance architecture.

The ground-based optical systems will operate in tandem with existing space-based sensors, creating a more resilient and comprehensive capability for monitoring space activity. This layered approach enhances Canada’s ability to detect, track, and characterize objects in orbit—whether they are satellites, debris, or potential threats.

Lieutenant-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, emphasized the operational significance of the capability:

“The delivery of the ground-based optical capability represents a significant advancement in Canada’s ability to monitor and safeguard the space domain. These advanced telescopes will provide persistent, reliable, ground-based surveillance and will operate in tandem with our space-based sensors under Surveillance of Space 2. Space-based systems are vital to the daily lives of Canadians and to the success of joint missions with our allies. Enhancing our space awareness directly strengthens our commitments to NORAD and to our partners as we continue to ensure the security of Canadians.”

The importance of space-based systems extends far beyond military operations. Everyday activities—from banking and communications to navigation, agriculture, and weather forecasting—depend on secure and reliable satellite infrastructure. Recognizing this, the Government of Canada is positioning space as a cornerstone of both national security and economic resilience.

The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, highlighted the broader implications of the project:

“Canada’s security and prosperity depend on our ability to understand and protect the space domain. The Surveillance of Space 2 project represents a major step forward in strengthening our sovereignty, modernizing our space capabilities, and safeguarding critical satellite infrastructure that Canadians rely on every day.”

Beyond its strategic value, the contract is expected to deliver tangible economic benefits. The project will create or support close to 80 jobs annually and contribute approximately $9 million to Canada’s GDP each year over the next six years. It also reinforces Canada’s position within a rapidly expanding global space economy, projected to reach approximately $2 trillion by 2040. With Canada’s space sector already contributing an estimated $3.4 billion to GDP, investments like SofS 2 are designed to ensure Canadian companies remain competitive on the world stage.

The Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, pointed to the regional and industrial impact:

“Projects like Surveillance of Space 2 demonstrate how Canadian expertise, right here in British Columbia, pushes the boundaries of what we will achieve in space and defence. Supported by the Defence Investment Agency and guided by Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, this investment will both create highly skilled jobs in the region and will modernize Canada’s space capabilities for the challenges of tomorrow.”

The Surveillance of Space 2 contract also reflects a shift in how Canada delivers defence capabilities. By leveraging streamlined processes and existing approval authorities, the DIA was able to move the procurement forward more quickly than under traditional models. This approach is central to the government’s broader effort to modernize defence procurement—reducing delays, centralizing expertise, and accelerating the delivery of mission-critical equipment to the Canadian Armed Forces.

The Honourable Stephen Fuhr underscored the dual focus on capability and industrial growth:

“Canada’s security depends on the space-based systems that enable everything from communications and navigation to weather forecasting and emergency response. Today’s contract award to MDA Space will deliver the capabilities the Canadian Armed Forces need while growing Canada’s world-class space sector and creating good-paying jobs. With the Defence Investment Agency and our Defence Industrial Strategy, we are streamlining procurements and building the sovereign capabilities that will ensure Canada remains a leader in this crucial domain.”

Canada’s investment in space surveillance is not occurring in isolation. The capabilities delivered through SofS 2 will contribute directly to key international partnerships, including the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and Multinational Force – Operation Olympic Defender. These alliances rely on shared data and coordinated awareness of the space domain to ensure collective security. By enhancing its own capabilities, Canada strengthens its role as a trusted partner in these networks.

Mike Greenley, Chief Executive Officer of MDA Space, reflected on the broader operational context:

“As space becomes more contested, congested and competitive, persistent surveillance and space domain awareness provide the Canadian Armed Forces and trusted allies with a better understanding of what is happening in a complex environment they can’t otherwise see. With decades of proven expertise providing defence and security, MDA Space is honoured to once again be selected as a trusted mission partner to Canada and to the Department of National Defence .”

The Surveillance of Space 2 project sits within a larger transformation of Canada’s defence ecosystem. Through the Defence Industrial Strategy and the establishment of the Defence Investment Agency, the government is aligning long-term defence spending with domestic industrial capability.

The goal is clear: build sovereign capabilities, strengthen supply chains, create high-value jobs, and ensure the Canadian Armed Forces are equipped to meet emerging threats.

As space becomes an increasingly contested and indispensable domain, Canada’s latest investment signals a long-term commitment—not only to protecting what lies above, but to securing the prosperity and safety that depend on it.