BG - 10.016 - July 14, 2010
The Joint Support Ships (JSS) are a critical component for achieving success in both international and domestic Canadian Forces (CF) missions, as laid out in the Canada First Defence Strategy. The ships constitute a vital and strategic national asset. The presence of replenishment ships increases the range and endurance of a Naval Task Group, permitting it to remain at sea for significant periods of time without going to shore for replenishment.
The JSS will replace the Navy’s current Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessels that are now more than 40 years old and nearing the end of their service lives. The new ships will provide core replenishment, limited sealift capabilities, and support to forces ashore. The JSS will be one of the first of the Navy’s ships to be built by one of the competitively selected Canadian shipyards, as part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS).
This first step in the replacement of the Navy’s current Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessels, known as the definition phase, will involve the assessment of both new and existing designs. Existing ship designs are those already built, operating, and meet key specific Canadian requirements. The new ship design under consideration is currently being developed in-house.
The selected ship design will be based on the best value in terms of capability and affordability, ensuring the successful delivery of the JSS. The design is expected to be available in approximately two years, at which time a Canadian shipyard, selected as part of the NSPS, will be contracted to complete the design of and build the JSS. The JSS project represents a total investment by the Government of Canada of approximately $2.6 billion.
The Government of Canada will ensure both value for taxpayers’ dollars and opportunities for Canadian communities and the Canadian marine industry. The Government is committed to getting the right equipment for the CF, at the right price for Canadian taxpayers, with the right benefits for Canadian industry.
The JSS project will procure two ships, with an option to acquire a third. Their capabilities will include:
- Underway Support to Naval Task Groups: Underway support is the term that describes the transfer of liquids and solids (fuel and cargo) between ships at sea. This underway support also includes the operation and maintenance of helicopters, as well as task group medical and dental facilities;
- Limited Sealift: To meet a range of possibilities in an uncertain future security environment, the JSS will be capable of delivering a limited amount of cargo ashore; and
- Limited Support to Forces Ashore: The JSS will have space and weight allocated for the potential future inclusion of a limited joint task force headquarters for command and control of forces deployed ashore.
The JSS will replace the core capabilities of the current Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment ships, including: provision of fuel, ammunition, spare parts, food, and water, and other supplies; modern medical and dental care facilities, including an operating room; repair facilities and expertise to keep helicopters and other equipment functioning; and basic self-defence functions.
The Government has done extensive work to identify options to deliver the necessary capabilities within the available budget, and is confident that the renewed JSS procurement approach will see the affordable acquisition of the support ships that are necessary for naval operations.
The JSS will provide the CF with the flexibility to conduct a wide range of domestic and international operations, including: international coalition operations; peace support operations; response to national security incidents; evacuation and rescue operations; and assistance during humanitarian crises or natural disasters. The adaptability inherent within the JSS will help the CF in fulfilling its mandate to safeguard Canada’s maritime security and sovereignty, defend North America, and contribute to international peace and security through operations around the world.
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