Canadian warships to get upgrades on both coasts

Two multi-year contracts, worth $760 million in total, to upgrade Canada?s 12 Halifax-class frigates are expected to be announced today at Victoria and Halifax shipyards.

Victoria Shipyards, owned by Washington Marine Group, will be refitting Canada?s five west coast-based frigates, and Irving Shipbuilding Inc?s Halifax shipyard will work on the seven east-coast-based ships, union officials on the west and east coasts said. “This is a tremendous shot in the arm for Victoria,” said George MacPherson, president of the B.C. Shipyard General Workers? Federation. “It will keep the industry active and well in Victoria for many years to come. It should employ 200 to 250 people on a regular basis for the duration of the contract, once they get up and running.”

The mid-life refit work would be carried out simultaneously on the west and east coasts starting in 2010 and finishing in 2017. The work is part of a $3.1-billion modernization project for the dozen ships, which will see them retrofitted with new operations rooms, radar suites, and other communications, control and warfare systems.