The Halifax-class frigates are a class of multi-role patrol frigates operated by the Royal Canadian Navy since 1992. The class is the outcome of the Canadian Patrol Frigate Project, which originated in the mid-1970s. was the first of twelve Canadian designed and built vessels which combine traditional anti-submarine capabilities with systems to deal with surface and air threats as well. The ships are named after Canadian provincial capitals (St. John's, Halifax, Charlottetown, Fredericton, Québec City, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Regina), the capital of Canada, and the major cities of Calgary, Montreal, and Vancouver.
In 2007, the Government of Canada announced a planned refit of the Halifax class which is known as the Halifax Class Modernization Project (HCMP) of which the Frigate Equipment Life Extension (FELEX) project is a part. In November 2008, a Lockheed Martin Canada-led team including Saab AB, Elisra, IBM Canada, CAE Professional Services, L-3 Electronic Systems and xwave, was awarded the contract. The construction phase of the program was completed in November 2016. , the Halifax-class modernization program was being closed out, but full operational capacity was reached on 31 January 2018.
In October 2011 the Canadian government launched the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy which aims to replace the Halifax class, as well as the capabilities of the s, with up to 15 new destroyers. This replacement class is currently in full-rate production which began on 25 April 2025. However, the Halifax-class vessels continue to be upgraded with at least some ships of the class anticipated as likely to continue service into the 2040s.
Description and design
The Halifax-class frigate design, emerging from the Canadian Patrol Frigate Program, was ordered by the Canadian Forces in 1977 as a replacement for the aging , , , and es of destroyer escorts, which were all tasked with anti-submarine warfare. In July 1983, the federal government approved the budget for the design and construction of the first batch of six frigates, with a second batch ordered in December 1987. To reflect the changing long-term strategy of the Navy during the 1980s and 1990s, the Halifax-class frigates was designed as a general purpose warship with particular focus on anti-submarine capabilities. That made them slightly larger than the Iroquois-class destroyers.
Control systems
The tactical command and control systems were developed in Canada. These included the Shipboard Integrated Communications System (SHINCOM), the Shipboard Integrated Machinery Control (SHINMACS), and Shipboard Integrated Processing and Display System (SHINPADS). SHINCOM was developed by DRS Technology Canada and was exported to other navies. SHINMACS was developed by CAE. SHINPADS was developed by Sperry Computer Systems in Winnipeg. The total cost of the program was set at $4.3 billion, with $2 billion for combat systems upgrades and $1.2 billion for mid-life refits. A further $1 billion was paid to contractors for other projects.
Faced with delays and restrictions from the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, the Navy opted to modernize the Halifax class using as much non-American equipment as possible, including technology from Canada, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands and Israel. The International Traffic in Arms Regulations has also been blamed for the delay of the CH-148 Cyclone which was running two years behind the original schedule. The Halifax class received state of the art equipment able to handle modern threats through 2030. The modernization includes passive and active weapons, radars, and new combat architecture.
thumb|The [[Halifax Shipyard in 2015. Refits for Halifax-class frigates used by Maritime Forces Atlantic were completed at the shipyard in 2016.]]
The refit program was formally announced as completed on the west coast by Victoria Shipyards on 29 April 2016 by the Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan when Regina was returned to the Royal Canadian Navy.
Control systems
The new combat system architecture and combat management system fitted to the Halifax class is the CMS330 Combat Management System from Lockheed Martin Canada, which includes elements of the Saab 9LV Mk4 combat management system (known as the "CanACCS-9LV" suite of components.) CMS330 is a development of SHINPADS. IPMS is a development of SHINMACS. achieving operational capability in June 2024. The Harpoon missiles were upgraded to Block II, with first test firing aboard the frigates performed in 2016. BAE Systems received a contract to upgrade the Bofors 57 mm Mk 2 to Bofors 57 mm Mk 3 configuration in 2009.
The Department of National Defence requested a tender to provide a naval remote weapon system (NRWS) defence capability to the Halifax and Iroquois classes. The Halifax class was to be fitted with this new system to replace the 12.7 mm M2HB heavy machine gun. Although not part of the refit, Raytheon Canada Limited was awarded a contract of $180 million for eight years to overhaul, convert and repair all Canadian CIWS to a Block 1B Baseline 1 configuration.
It was announced by the Department of National Defence that Hewitt Equipment was chosen to replace the diesel generators aboard the Halifax-class vessels in June 2015. The contract was awarded for 10 years, with options to extend it out to 22 years and covers ships assigned to either coast. The speed of the vessels in the class increased to over following the FELEX upgrades.
Sensors and countermeasures
thumb|A [[CEROS 200 Fire Control Radar aboard HMCS Ottawa]]
As part of the refit, Thales Canada supplied the Sirius long-range Infrared Search and Track (IRST) for the Halifax class. The IRST is currently in use on board the German s. The IRST is able to track low radar cross-section aircraft and ships.
Saab provided 26 CEROS 200 fire control directors. The CEROS 200 is a radar and optronic tracking system which interfaces with advanced anti-ship missiles and gun systems. It provides defence against modern threats including modern sea skimming anti-ship missiles or asymmetric threats in littoral environments. The CEROS 200 is part of the 9LV Mk4.
The Halifax class were fitted with a modified Sea Giraffe SG-150 multi-function search radar. The SG-150 HC will be upgraded and will secure a high level of operational availability as well as improved functions. Furthermore, they were given Sea Giraffe AMB 3D air and surface search radar operating on the C band. Thales supplied 13 Smart-S Mk2 S-band radars, including one for training purposes. These radars are optimized for medium-to-long-range search and target designation with a high degree of detection. The Smart-S Mk2 is a 3D multibeam radar which can detect hostile targets in near-shore environments. The deliveries began at the end of 2010 and were completed in 2015.
Raytheon Anschütz provided at least 12 Pathfinder ST MK 2 Radar systems. The Pathfinder Mark II is designed to provide a modern and flexible navigation tool. The Pathfinder ST Mk 2 radar system is part of the 9LV Mk4. In 2015, Canada acquired twelve sets of X and S-Band navigation radars from Raytheon Anschütz for the class. The new radars have advanced detection capability, new radiation control and pulse blanker interfaces and have improved interaction with the vessels' upgraded command and control system.
thumb|The Halifax class is fitted with the [[Multi Ammunition Softkill System]]
The Halifax class were fitted with the Multi Ammunition Softkill System (MASS) developed by Rheinmetall. MASS is a fully computerized countermeasure. The system is connected to the ship's sensors and protects ships from attacks by advanced, sensor-guided missiles by launching decoys that operate in all relevant wavelengths. Elbit Systems received a contract to supply electronic warfare equipment for the Halifax class, including active jamming and tracking systems.
Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH received a contract to provide 14 passive electronic countermeasures (ECM) systems.
Separate from the HCMP, the Halifax class received upgraded General Dynamics Mission Systems - Canada AN/SQS-510 hull-mounted sonar as part of the Underwater Warfare Suite Upgrade (UWSU). Some internal components of AN/SQS-510 such as the sonar amplifier and broadband transducers were replaced to enhance the sonar’s performance. Nautel, a subcontractor for GDMS-Canada, was awarded with contract on the 2nd of October 2018 to supply the NS72-36 sonar amplifier and Nautel Mk II broadband transducers. was the first ship to received the full UWSU sonar upgrade. This upgrade is still in implementation phase and the rest of the class will receive the upgrade while undergoing refits. The class also received new towed array sonar supplied by Ultra Maritime (formerly Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems). The Towed Low Frequency Active Passive Sonar (TLFAS) uses Horizontal Projector Array (HPA) technology, this system combines both the active transmitter and passive receiver in a single towed array, simplifying the use of towed array sonar.
Communications
The Halifax class received two Navy Multi-band Terminals (NMT), installed on the forward port and starboard sides of the hangar, to increase its satellite communications capabilities. The NMT system communicates with satellites in geostationary orbit via the Ka band. This system was augmented by the Maritime Satellite Communications Upgrade (MSCU), featuring the AN/USC-69(V3) antenna installed on the hangar top. The system was first used by the Halifax class on deployments to Operation Reassurance in 2012.