The Royal Canadian Navy will name the first two Queenston-class joint support ships (JSS) HMCS Queenston and HMCS Châteauguay.
The ships, which will be built by Vancouver Shipyards, have been named in recognition of the significant battles of Queenston Heights and Châteauguay during the War of 1812.
National Defence minister Rob Nicholson said the ships have been named to recognise the achievements and sacrifices of early Canadian soldiers who fought and died during the War of 1812.
"The War of 1812 was a defining moment in our nation’s history that contributed to shaping our identity as Canadians and ultimately our existence as a country," Nicholson said.
Earlier this year, the Canadian Government has selected a proven, off-the-shelf ship design from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Canada for the Canadian Navy’s JSS, being acquired as part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS).
The ships will provide underway replenishment capability, for fuel and other supplies, as well as provide hospital facilities and strategic sealift for operations ashore.
In addition to ensuring that the military can continue to monitor and defend Canadian waters, the JSS will be deployed to provide a modern, task-tailored, globally deployable support capability for naval task groups for extended periods.
The JSS, which will be built under the non-combat work package, will replace the Canadian Navy’s ageing fleet of Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessels and provide core replenishment, limited sealift capabilities and support to maritime forces.
Construction on the first ship is expected to start in the 2016-2017 timeframe and is scheduled for delivery to the Royal Canadian Navy in 2019, assuming no further delays in the schedule.
