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Facing political pressure to at least provide a semblance of competition, the government has not overtly come down in favour of either a Most Qualified Team approach, a sole-source option, or the Most Capable Design tack, which presupposes a competition. Instead, as announced in January, it made Halifax-based Irving Shipbuilding the prime contractor for CSC (Canadian Surface Combatants). This puts the Halifax-based company in as general contractor, and in theory leaves open the possibility of global firms bidding on subcontracts, including the ship’s design and combat systems, worth more than 60 per cent of the cost of any modern warship.

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But in practical terms, given the long-standing relationships between DND, Irving and Lockheed, it would now appear the latter has a lock at least on the combat systems, worth an estimated $16 billion. Remarkably, industry players I’ve spoken to are sanguine about Irving’s dominant role, if for no other reason than they have some confidence in its ability to manage the huge project, and zero confidence in the government’s. Combine this with the awarding to Irving of a $2.3 billion contract for the six Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships, and the Tories can at least say that on the East Coast there is movement. Delivery of the first offshore patrol ship is now promised for 2018.

On the West Coast, the state of play is less clear.

More than two years ago, the parliamentary budget officer of the day, Kevin Page, raised concerns about the capacity of Vancouver-based Seaspan — an alliance of West Coast firms handling the non-combat portion of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS), estimated contract value $8 billion ­ — to deliver the two large supply ships urgently required by the Navy, on time and within budget. Among other issues, Page questioned Seaspan’s lack of prior experience in building large vessels, and its access to skilled workers. In response, Seaspan said in a news release, “We are confident the NSPS program, as awarded in October 2011, and as signed in the umbrella agreement (UA) on Feb. 14, 2012, is solidly on track.” Seaspan has since spent $200 million upgrading its facilities in preparation for the build.