"CANADA FIRST" DEFENCE PROCUREMENT
- JOINT SUPPORT SHIP HALIFAX ­

Minister of National Defence Gordon O¹Connor, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Michael Fortier and Chief of the Defence Staff General Rick Hillier announced today the $2.9 billion Joint Support Ship project for Canada¹s Navy. This project includes a base cost of $2.1 billion, plus an stimated $800 million in contracted in-service support over 20 years.

"As part of the Canada First Defence Strategy, Canada's new government promised new equipment for the Canadian Forces and this is the first step in delivering on that promise," said Minister O¹Connor. "The government is committed to getting the right equipment for the Canadian Forces, at the right price for Canadians, with the right benefits for Canadian industry."

"The procurement process will be fair, open, transparent and in line with this government's Federal Accountability Act and Action Plan," said Minister Fortier. "A rigorous procurement process has been put in place to ensure that the equipment meets the needs of the men and women of the Canadian Forces while making sure that Canadian taxpayers get the best value for their hard earned money."

"Canada's new government will ensure that this project delivers maximum high-quality industrial benefits to Canadians," stated Minister of Industry Maxime Bernier. "The Canadian shipbuilding industry is well-positioned to play a significant role as the Joint Support Ship project proceeds."

"The Joint Support Ships will enhance the Canadian Forces ability to safeguard Canada¹s domestic maritime security and sovereignty," said General Rick Hillier, Chief of the Defence Staff. "The ships will provide the vital
lifeline of supply and support to other Canadian navy ships as well as to army and air force assets in certain deployed operations. A key component of the Canadian Forces transformation, the ships will help build a truly
Œjoint¹ navy, army and air force capability."The Joint Support Ship project will deliver three multi-role vessels with substantially more capability than the Protecteur Class. In addition to being able to provide at-sea support (re-fuelling and re-supply functions) to deployed naval task groups, they will also be capable of sealift operations as well as support to forces deployed ashore.

Four industry teams pre-qualified to compete for the contract to design three ships. A request for proposals, to be issued shortly, will trigger the process to select two industry teams for the project definition phase. The two selected teams will each receive a $12.5 million contract to develop proposals for preliminary ship design, project implementation plans, and an in-service support plan. Based on these plans, one team will be selected to
build the three ships, with delivery of the first ship targeted for 2012.

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