Canada starts work on River-class destroyer land-based test site

Shown here is a rendering of the LBTF at Hartlen Point, which will support combat system integration for the RCN's new River-class destroyers.   (Department of National Defence)

Work has begun to build a Land-Based Test Facility (LBTF) at Hartlen Point in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia, to support combat system integration and crew training for the Royal Canadian Navy's (RCN's) new River-class destroyers.

Construction began in November 2025, and is expected to be completed in early 2028. The start of civil works was formally announced by the Department of National Defence (DND) on 19 January.

Canada is procuring 15 new River-class destroyers – based on BAE Systems' Type 26 platform – to replace the capabilities of the RCN's current Halifax-class frigates and retired Iroquois-class destroyers. Lockheed Martin Canada was in October 2018 selected as ship design and combat system partner; Irving Shipbuilding Inc is to build the vessels at its yard in Halifax, Nova Scotia, under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

For more about the River-class programme, please seeCanada awards River-class destroyer construction contract to Irving Shipbuilding .

The River class will use a variant of the US Navy's Aegis Combat System, which is being acquired under a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case. An RCN Aegis Combat System Integration Centre is being established inside the US Navy's Combat Systems Engineering Development Site in Moorestown, New Jersey.

Full-rate production of HMCS Fraser , the first of three Batch 1 River-class ships, commenced at Irving Shipbuilding in April 2025 with keel-laying planned later this year. Fraser is planned to enter service with the RCN in the early 2030s, with deliveries of subsequent ships expected to continue through to the end of the 2040s.