Kongsberg Maritime to supply fixed-built propellers for River-class destroyers

Artist's impression of Royal Canadian Navy River (Modified Type 26)-class destroyer. (Royal Canadian Navy)

Kongsberg Maritime has signed contracts with Irving Shipbuilding Inc to supply fixed-built propellers for the Royal Canadian Navy's future River (Modified Type 26)-class destroyers.

Twin fixed-built propellers (one propeller for each of the two shafts) will be supplied by Kongsberg for each of the first batch of three ships in the class: Fraser, Saint-Laurent, and Mackenzie. The River-class destroyers are expected to enter service from the early 2030s, with a total of 15 ships expected to be delivered through to 2050.

Kongsberg told Janes that the hubs and blades of the propellers (which will be of a fixed-pitch design) will be manufactured in Europe, while assembly and final integration into the ships will be undertaken in Canada.

In 2024 Kongsberg signed contracts with Irving for non-retractable fin stabilisers, steering gear and rudders, replenishment-at-sea (RAS) moveable high points, and a technical documentation package for the River class.

Kongsberg is also providing propulsion technology for the UK Royal Navy's (RN's) City (Type 26)-class frigates and Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) Hunter (Modified Type 26)-class frigates. The Type 26 forms the baseline for BAE Systems' Global Combat Ship, which was selected as the design for the River and Hunter classes. In August the UK Type 26 was also selected by Norway for its frigate programme. Earlier in 2025, BAE and Kongsberg entered a co-operation agreement to explore collaboration in current and future military programmes, including the possibility of through-life support for the new Norwegian frigates.