Irving Shipbuilding awards L3Harris new River-class destroyer contract: Visual Surveillance System

Award increases economic benefits coming to Quebec from the National Shipbuilding Strategy

Irving Shipbuilding Inc. has awarded L3Harris a contract for work on the Visual Surveillance System (VSS) for Canada’s River-class destroyer (RCD) fleet. This latest award builds on L3Harris’ existing Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) and Control & Instrumentation contract, bringing the total value to over $170 million for ships one through three.

Under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), the RCD program is the largest and most complex shipbuilding project in Canada. The fleet will replace the current Halifax-class frigates and form the backbone of Canada’s naval combat capability, while rebuilding its domestic shipbuilding industry. Full-rate construction on the first three RCD ships began in April. The ships will be equipped with advanced technologies to enable the Royal Canadian Navy to respond to Canada’s defence and security commitments.

This VSS contract awarded to L3Harris is a network of cameras, sensors, and control units that allows for real-time situational awareness, diagnostics, and ship-wide automation, providing the very best protection for Canada’s Navy. Its delivery demands specialized skills and innovative engineering, which L3Harris is well-positioned to provide.

In military applications, VSS-IPMS integration can maintain persistent situational awareness even under degraded communications for uncrewed, minimally crewed, or survivable platforms.

The development and manufacturing of the VSS will be carried out at L3Harris’ Montreal facility, bolstering Quebec’s defence manufacturing base further and supporting a robust local supply chain.

This new contract will drive job creation through new positions in software, electrical and mechanical engineering, and more. It will also contribute to skills and workforce development, particularly in disciplines combining traditional seamanship with advanced digital and automation skills.

"This contract is about much more than technology: it means more jobs here at home in Quebec, more training for our people, and more opportunities for Canadian suppliers,” says Manuel Perez, Director Maritime International Business Development, L3Harris. “From our delivery of the original IPMS on the Halifax-class fleet back in the 1980s, through to our work today, L3Harris is committed to delivering world-class capabilities and innovation for Canada’s Navy while creating economic opportunities here at home.”

L3Harris is one of nearly 700 Canadian organizations benefiting from NSS investments that are driving economic growth and innovation nationwide. This latest award contributes to the $900 million in NSS contracts and investments flowing into Quebec.

“Every contract under the National Shipbuilding Strategy strengthens our domestic shipbuilding industry and a growing Canadian supply chain now stretching from coast-to-coast,” says Lee Fromson, Vice President, Supply Chain and Quality, Irving Shipbuilding. “We’re pleased to continue our strong partnership with L3Harris through this contract, which will help grow high-skilled careers and build the technological capacity needed to support our Navy for decades to come.”