Halifax Class Frigate - Refit

Refit

The Government of Canada announced on 5 July 2007 a $3.1 billion refit program for the Halifax class which will take place from 2010–2017 and extend the ships' service lives through 2030. Faced with delays and restrictions from the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, the Navy has opted to modernize the Halifax class using as much non-American equipment as possible, including technology from Canada, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands and Israel. The International Traffic in Arms Regulations have also been blamed for the delay of the CH-148 Cyclone which is currently two years behind the original schedule. The Halifax class will receive state of the art equipment able to handle modern threats through 2030. The modernization includes passive and active weapons, radars, and new combat architecture to meet the modern requirement of the Canadian Forces.

The Halifax class currently use the RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, instead of the obsolete RIM-7 Sea Sparrow. The ESSM gives a wide range of protection against ships, missiles, aircraft and surface threats.

Thales Canada will provide the modern Sirius long-range Infrared Search and Track (IRST) for the Halifax class. The IRST is currently in use on board the Sachsen-class frigates. The IRST is able to track low radar cross-section aircraft and ships.

The Halifax class will receive a modern combat architecture developed by Saab. The new combat architecture will provide a command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) capability. The 9LV Mk4 Combat Management System architecture is currently in use with 15 others navies worldwide including Germany and New Zealand. Lockheed Martin Canada proposed the “CanACCS-9LV”, a modified 9LV Mark for the Canadian Forces, including a new combat system and a modernized operations room.

Saab will provide 26 CEROS 200 Fire Control Director. The CEROS 200 is a Radar and Optronic Tracking system which interfaces with advanced anti-ship missiles and gun systems. It provides excellent defence against any modern threats including modern sea skimming anti-ship missiles or any asymmetric threats in littoral environments. The CEROS 200 is part of the 9LV Mk4.

BAE Systems received a contract to upgrade the Bofors 57 mm Mk 2 to Bofors 57 mm Mk 3 configuration. The upgrades will be performed at Karlskoga between 2010–2016, before being installed in Halifax and Victoria.

The Halifax class will be fitted with a modified Sea Giraffe SG-150 multi-function search radar. The SG-150 HC will be upgraded and will secure a high level of operational availability as well improved functions.

The Halifax class will be fitted with the Multi Ammunition Softkill System (MASS) developed by Rheinmetall. MASS is a fully computerized countermeasure. It is connected to the ship's sensors and protects ships from attacks by advanced, sensor-guided missiles by launching decoys that operate in all relevant wavelengths. MASS is currently in use by 15 other navies worldwide.

Elbit Systems received a contract to supply Electronic Warfare equipment for the Halifax class, including active jamming and tracking systems.

Thales will provide 13 Smart-S Mk2 S-band radars, including one for training purposes. These radars are optimized for medium-to-long range search and target designation with a high degree of detection. The Smart-S Mk2 is a 3D multibeam radar which can detect hostile targets in near-shore environments. The deliveries will begin in the end of 2010 and will be completed in 2015.

Raytheon Anschütz will provide at least 12 Pathfinder ST MK 2 Radar systems. The Pathfinder Mark II is designed to provide a modern and flexible navigation tool. The Pathfinder ST Mk 2 radar system is part of the 9LV Mk4.

Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH received a contract to provide 14 Passive Electronic Countermeasures Systems (ECM).

The Department of National Defence has requested a tender to provide a naval remote weapon system (NRWS) defence capability to the Halifax and Iroquois classes. The Halifax class will be fitted with a new close-in weapon system to replace the 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun.

Although not part of the refit, Raytheon Canada Limited was awarded a contract of $180 million for 8 years to overhaul, convert and repair all Canadian CIWS to a Block 1B Baseline 1 configuration.