Naval Systems

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.

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

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Construction contract awarded

    The Government of Canada awarded Irving Shipbuilding the construction contract for Batch 1 River-class destroyers.

    Sources: River-class Destroyer Project

  5. 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

Related Weapon Systems

Sources