Shipbuilding Plan
Introduction
The Joint Support Ship (JSS) Project is intended to provide three multi-purpose support ships for the Canadian Navy. These ships will replace our three aging supply ships , plus add important new capabilities for transporting vehicles, in theatre command and control, and a floating hospital. It is an innovative design that combines features and roles of different ship types. This gives the vessels versatility and utility that will be essential for our country over the coming decade.
The $2.9 billion project includes $2.1 Billion to build the ships and $800 Million for Industry Support over a twenty year period. Unfortunately it looks like this may not be enough funding and there is currently a debate about which option the government should follow:
1. Cut the number of ships or the ship's capabilities to make it more affordable.
2. Increase funding to build three ships at the price our industry can deliver them for.
The Navy League of Canada supports the second option. Our position can be summarized in the following documents:
Letter to Parliamentarians (PDF)
Defence Watch Blog: Navy Supporters Hope to Shore Up Joint Support Ship Project (External Link)
We encourage interested Canadians to make their opinions known by writing or e-mailing their MP. To contact your MP, Click here.
Official Links:
Visit the JSS Project Management Office Website
DND Backgrounder: "Canada First" Defence Procurement - Joint Support Ship
In the News:
Defence Watch Blog: DND plans to buid JSS overseas scuttled? - 11 Jun 2008
At Whatever Cost - Ottawa Citizen, 11 August 2008
Shipbuilding is an Issue of Soveriegnty - Ottawa Citizen, 11 August 2008
New Ships Should be Built in Canada - Calgary Herald, 08 Aug 2008
Build ships in Canada - Ottawa Citizen, 08 Aug 2008
Navy looks to Europe for new ships - Reuters (As published in the National Post), 05 Aug 2008
Defence Watch Blog: Navy Supporters Hope to Shore Up Joint Support Ship Project - 02 June 2008
Defence Watch Blog: More Money Needed for Joint Support Ship
(As published in The Ottawa Citizen - 19 May 2008)