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A a ceremony was held yesterday at Irving Shipbuilding marking the completion of the Halifax-class Modernization/Frigate Life Extension (HCM/FELEX) project, which provided state-of-the-art upgrades, allowing Canada’s fleet of 12 Halifax-class frigates to meet 21st century threats.
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HMCS Toronto, the seventh and final frigate on the East Coast, has now completed the refit portion of its modernization by Irving Shipbuilding Inc. This means all 12 frigates, five on the West Coast and seven on the East Coast, have completed the refit portion of their modernization. The final step will be a period of tests and trials in the reactivation phase for HMCS Toronto and two other ships.
The HCM/FELEX project included a new Combat Management System procured from Lockheed Martin Canada, as well as new radar capability, a new electronic warfare system, and upgraded communications technologies and missiles. The modernized frigates also boast new systems that offer better damage control, as well as more modern electrical and machinery control.
Quick Facts
The Halifax-class Modernization (HCM) program represents an investment of $4.3 billion and allows the frigates to serve the Navy until the early-to-mid-2030s.
HCM/FELEX falls under the larger HCM program. The HCM program is a highly complex and collaborative effort between DND, the Navy, and more than thirty companies within the Canadian shipbuilding industry. Together, they have been working to deliver a first-class capability, on time and under budget while also ensuring robust economic benefits to Canada.
The first modernized frigates re-entered service in late 2014.Currently, nine of the Navy’s 12 frigates are capable of being employed on operations and exercises around the world. Three frigates are in their reactivation phase.
On November 29, 2016, HMCS Toronto, the seventh and final frigate on the East Coast, completed the refit portion of its modernization by Irving shipbuilding Inc. This means all 12 of the Halifax-class frigates, five on the West Coast and seven on the East Coast, have completed the refit portion of their modernization.
The HCM/FELEX project ensures that Halifax-class frigates will continue to be the backbone of the Royal Canadian Navy until the arrival of the future fleet of Canadian Surface Combatants beginning with the delivery of the first ship in the mid-2020s.
The Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy applies to this project. This ensures that companies that win Government of Canada defence contracts undertake business activities in Canada equal to 100 percent of the contract value.
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