The ceremony was held at Seaspan shipyards in presence of Justin Trudeau Prime Minister, Ministers and several other high dignitaries from the government and the Navy. Their presence highlight the strategic value of this program for Canada.
“Today’s launch and naming ceremony of the new HMCS Protecteur is an example of how the National Shipbuilding Strategy is revitalizing Canada’s shipbuilding industry all while creating good middle-class jobs and supporting the Royal Canadian Navy. This is the longest naval vessel constructed in the country and it is a testament to both the federal government’s and Seaspan’s commitment to shipbuilding. With the rise of conflicts and uncertainty around the world it is crucial that our Navy has the equipment they need to defend and protect Canada.”
The Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant
Indeed, HMCS Protecteur became the longest ship within the Canadian fleet and is the fifth vessel from the joint support ships (JSS) program – project part of a broader effort to revitalize the RCN’s surface fleet of ships. Based on the German Navy’s Berlin-class by TKMS, the Protecteur-class will replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s former Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessels. Two ships are scheduled to be commissioned as part of the JSS project.
The Protecteur-class AOR ships are a key part of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy and will be a flexible, multi-role, globally deployable and combat capable military platform able to conduct missions in both open-ocean and littoral environments. They will provide re-supply of fuel, ammunition, spare parts and other supplies between ships at sea and will be capable of transporting cargo, supporting operations ashore, and responding to threats in uncertain security environments
The design contract for the JSS project was awarded in February 2017, and early build construction began in June 2018. Initially, the first unit was expected to be delivered in 2023 but this has been delayed by a year. Her commission will be carried out late 2025. Regarding the second unit, it was also rescheduled and is likely to be delivered in 2026.
The total JSS budget includes $3.1 billion for the purchase of the two ships and initial spares, as well as $1 billion for design and production engineering work, project management and associated contingency costs, resulting in a total value of $4.1B.
Protecteur-class AOR Technical specifications:
Much more capable than her predecessor, survivability and self-defence capabilities will be enhanced thanks to 2 CIWS and 4 secondary machine guns. It will be able to store 7,900 tons of marine and air diesel. It will have a hangar for CH-148 cyclone helicopter.
- Length: 173.7m
- Beam: 24m
- Displacement: 21.597 tons
- Speed: 20 knots (max speed)
- Range: 10.000 NM
- Complement: 239
