The contracts focus on the first three ships in the River-class destroyer programme. Credit: © Irving Shipbuilding Inc/Kongsberg Maritime.

Kongsberg has secured contracts from Irving Shipbuilding to deliver propulsion systems for the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) new River-class destroyers.

The contract is part of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, which aims to replace the existing Halifax-class ships.

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Kongsberg Maritime will supply Fixed Built Propellers (FBP) for the first three ships under River-class destroyer programme.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2028.

The comprehensive programme envisions a fleet of 15 ships, with the project extending into the 2040s for subsequent deliveries, said the company.

Earlier in March 2025, Irving Shipbuilding was granted the implementation contract by the Canadian Government, valued at C$8bn ($5.5bn), to commence construction of these destroyers.

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The contract includes the delivery of the first three destroyers, named Fraser, Saint-Laurent, and Mackenzie, along with associated training, spares, and maintenance support over an initial six-year period.

Kongsberg Maritime naval vice president Björn ten Eicken said: “We have a proud history of supplying mission critical technology to some of the world’s most important naval programmes, and we’re delighted to have been selected by Irving Shipbuilding to supply our proven technology to the River-class destroyer programme.

“The River-class destroyer platform is a highly capable and versatile warship, and we look forward to working with Irving Shipbuilding and the Royal Canadian Navy as propellers and other equipment is installed on this exciting project.”

While financial details remain undisclosed, this new contract follows previous contracts between Kongsberg and Irving Shipbuilding for various technologies including non-retractable fin stabiliser, replenishment at sea, moveable high point, steering gear, and rudders.

In May this year, the RCN selected Rolls-Royce for a suite of components for the first batch of River-class destroyers.

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