Navy desperately needs new ships, but they can’t come at any price

The message to the Navy should be 'you can’t always get what you want, but sometimes you get what we need and can afford.'

The design of the future Canadian Surface Combatant will be based on BAE’s Type 26 warship. In its just released report, the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates that it will cost $77.3-billion to acquire the Canadian Surface Combatants. Furthermore, these costs do not include the long-term costs to maintain and operate these ships for their predicted 30-year life, writes Alan Williams. Image courtesy of Public Services and Procurement Canada

Opinion

BY ALAN WILLIAMS

March 1, 2021

Canada appears to be on the cusp of building some of the most expensive warships on the planet. The Feb. 24, 2021, report from the Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates that it will cost $77.3-billion to acquire 15 Canadian Surface Combatants. With a projected $400-billion deficit this year, and th...

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