River-class destroyer

The River-class destroyer is Canada's future guided-missile destroyer class, based on BAE Systems' Type 26 design and being built as the Royal Canadian Navy's major new surface combatant. Canadian program documents describe a 15-ship class intended to replace the retired Iroquois-class destroyers and Halifax-class frigates, with SPY-7 radar, an Aegis-linked CMS 330 combat system, and a 127 mm main gun.

Various Conflicts🏳️ Unspecified

River-class destroyer, Guided missile destroyer, Naval Systems

Image source: Lockheed Martin CSC render

Profile

Origin: Canada
Built by: Irving ShipbuildingLockheed Martin CanadaBAE Systems
Built in: CanadaUnited Kingdom
Type: Guided missile destroyer
Service note: 2020s-present (planned)
Produced: 2024-present
Number built: 15 planned
Developed from: BAE Systems Type 26 Global Combat Ship

Also Known As

Canadian Surface Combatant
Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC)
CSC
RCD
River class destroyer

navaldestroyerair defenseasw

Specifications

Displacement: 7,800 tonnes
Length: 151.4 metres
Beam: 20.75 metres
Top speed: 27 knots
Range: 7,000 nautical miles
Complement: 210
Radar: LMC SPY-7 AESA radar
Combat system: CMS 330 with AEGIS
Main gun: 127 mm Leonardo Vulcano
Air defense missiles: Sea Ceptor
Anti-ship missiles: Naval Strike Missile

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Under construction; full-rate production began in 2025 and first delivery is planned for the early 2030s.
Used by: Royal Canadian Navy

Conflict Usage

Side: 🏳️Unspecified

Exact model: River-class destroyer, the future Canadian Surface Combatant with CMS 330/Aegis/SPY-7 elements. The class is under construction/planned and has no combat use.

Timeline

River-class destroyer Key Events

Oct 19, 2018
Preferred bidder identified
The Government of Canada and Irving Shipbuilding identified Lockheed Martin Canada as the preferred bidder for the future Canadian Surface Combatants.
Sources: River-class Destroyer Project
Feb 7, 2019
Definition contract awarded
Canada announced the selection of Lockheed Martin Canada for the design team, with the winning bid based on the BAE Systems Type 26 Global Combat Ship.
Sources: River-class Destroyer Project
Jun 28, 2024
Construction activities begin and the class is named
Canada celebrated the start of construction activities for the Canadian Surface Combatants and announced that the new fleet would be known as River-class destroyers.
Sources: Construction Begins for Canada’s New Warship Fleet – the River Class Destroyers
Mar 3, 2025
Construction contract awarded
The Government of Canada awarded Irving Shipbuilding the construction contract for Batch 1 River-class destroyers.
Sources: River-class Destroyer Project
Apr 25, 2025
Full-rate production begins
The River-class Destroyer Project entered full-rate production on the first ship.
Sources: River-class Destroyer Project

River-class destroyer Images

River-class destroyer, Guided missile destroyer, Naval Systems - view 1 — Source: Lockheed Martin CSC render

River-class destroyer, Guided missile destroyer, Naval Systems - view 2 — Source: Artist rendering of the Royal Navy Type 26 frigate.jpg

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Sources

River-class destroyer overviewPublisher: Royal Canadian Navy | Note: Supports the class description, destroyer role, dimensions, endurance, complement, mission set, and class features on the RCN overview page. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 River-class Destroyer ProjectPublisher: National Defence | Note: Supports the project timeline, 15-ship program size, lineage from the Canadian Surface Combatant program, the design award, construction contract, and delivery milestones. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Canadian Surface Combatant fact sheetPublisher: Royal Canadian Navy Public Affairs | Note: Supports the planned SPY-7 radar, CMS 330 with Aegis, gun fit, missile fit, sonar suite, propulsion concept, and detailed specification targets from the fact sheet. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Global Combat ShipPublisher: BAE Systems | Note: Supports BAE Systems as the Type 26 designer and the River-class design lineage to the Canadian program. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Lockheed Martin CSC renderPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the official Lockheed Martin River-class render used for the primary image. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Artist rendering of the Royal Navy Type 26 frigate.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports the gallery image provenance for the Type 26 concept render used to illustrate the River-class design lineage. | Accessed: 2026-06-23