The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has completed the upgrade of the last of 12 Halifax-class frigates, under a C$4.3bn ($3.1bn) Halifax Class Modernization / Frigate Life Extension (HCM/FELEX) project.

Irving Shipbuilding has completed the upgrade of HMCS Toronto, the seventh and final frigate on the East Coast, marking the completion of refits under the project.

Canada Public Services and Procurement Canada Minister Judy Foote said: “Our Government has made a clear commitment to support the Royal Canadian Navy through the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

"Our Government has made a clear commitment to support the Royal Canadian Navy through the National Shipbuilding Strategy."

“The Halifax-class modernisation programme will ensure that our frigates continue to serve and protect Canadians while the future fleet of Canadian Surface Combatants is being built. Congratulations to the men and women who contributed to this project.”

Work under the project included the addition of a new combat management system procured from Lockheed Martin Canada, as well as a new radar capability and a new electronic warfare system.

The project also involved upgrades to communications technologies and missiles.

The Halifax-class frigates were originally designed for anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, primarily in the open ocean.

The modernisation of Halifax-class frigates will allow the RCN to continue to deliver on its core mission, as directed by the Government of Canada until the arrival of the new Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC).

The upgrade will allow the frigates to serve the navy until the early-to-mid-2030s.

HMCS Toronto and two other ships will undergo tests and trials in the reactivation phase.

Image: HMCS Toronto. Photo: courtesy of the US Navy.