Rolls-Royce to Provide Power, Handling System for Canadian River-class Destroyers

Estimated reading time: 1 minute

Rolls-Royce has reached agreement on a significant scope of work to support Batch One of the River-class destroyer (RCD) program for the Royal Canadian Navy. The RCD (formerly named the Canadian Surface Combatant) is part of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy and is the largest and most complex shipbuilding initiative undertaken by Canada since World War II.

Each ship will include three key components manufactured by Rolls-Royce: MT30 gas turbine for primary propulsion, the Mission Bay Handling System and our mtu Series 4000 diesel generators.

Bruce Lennie, Vice President of Government Relations, Rolls-Royce, said: “We are both proud and excited to support the newest surface program of the Royal Canadian Navy. Rolls-Royce’s expertise in power, propulsion and specialized handling systems will bring critical capabilities to the RCD and help significantly enhance Canada’s maritime defence.”

The official program of record for the RCD calls for up to fifteen ships. Batch One production (first three ships) began in April.

Rolls-Royce has officially signed Batch One contracts with Irving Shipbuilding, the prime contractor for RCD, for both the MT30 gas turbines and the Mission Bay Handling System. The mtu Series 4000 diesel generators contract is being finalized separately through our Canadian-based licensee, Wajax Power Systems.

Lee Fromson, Vice President Supply Chain and Quality, Irving Shipbuilding said: “We are pleased to work closely with Rolls Royce, benefiting from the company’s extensive experience and high-quality products as we deliver world-class ships for the Royal Canadian Navy.”

The River-class destroyer is based on the BAE Systems Type 26 warship design being built by the United Kingdom and a variant of which is being built for Australia as the Hunter Class Frigate. The United Kingdom (8 ships) and Australian (6 ships) variants will also include the same scope of Rolls-Royce components.

Rolls-Royce supports more than 70 navies worldwide. For more than 50 years, we have delivered world-class power, propulsion and handling systems for our Naval customers. From design and development through aftermarket support and product servicing, we provide power solutions for our customers across a broad range of marine applications.