DND considering recycling parts for future Navy fleet

HALIFAX – Canada is considering stripping equipment from its older destroyers and frigates to help pay for its future naval fleet, according to documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen.

The Citizen reports documents show the military is looking to save money on the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) project by taking existing equipment from its Halifax-class frigates and Iroquois-class destroyers to use in its future fleet.

The government set a cap of $26 billion on the CSC project, which is expected to deliver its first ship in 2025, but the documents show there’s a risk not enough ships will be built with the money that has been allotted.

Ken Hansen, military analyst at Dalhousie University, said it seems the government has realized it’s run out of money for the project, and are scrambling to find cash.

“They’re doing whatever they can possibly do to cut the edges off of this iceberg,” Hansen said, adding he doesn’t see any major potential savings from the move.

“Without understanding where technology is headed in the next decade or more, it’s a pointless exercise in my view.”

The documents echo a similar concern from Auditor General Michael Ferguson, who in 2013 released a report stating the $26 billion was, “insufficient,” for what was being planned.

According to the Citizen, Industry and Military representatives have repeatedly raised concerns about the lack of money for the project.

The full fleet is expected to be delivered by 2041.

Navy planners had hoped the new warships would be technologically advanced, but it’s unclear how the older equipment would function with the newly-designed ships, as well if it will suit the Navy’s needs.

Hansen said the government is doing the Navy a disservice the longer it waits to address its needs, and with the first ship expected in 2025 Hansen said the government needs to get moving soon to make sure there’s no shortfalls in service.

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