Why is the naval destroyer program wrapped in secrecy? The F-35 saga offers insights

The Canadian shipyard and the British defence contractor have recently signed a collaboration contract to move forward with the navy’s new destroyers program. The federal government has largely kept the details of the multibillion-dollar program shrouded in secrecy, including the exact costs of each of the first three warships.

The agreement between Irving Shipbuilding Inc. and BAE Systems Inc. of the United Kingdom marks a significant milestone in the construction of the new destroyers, which are intended to replace the navy’s Halifax-class frigates. The implementation contract with Irving is a down payment for the first three destroyers, with an estimated cost of $22.2 billion for the procurement of 15 warships.

Despite the significant investment, the federal government has been reluctant to disclose detailed cost breakdowns for the program. The Department of National Defence and Public Services and Procurement Canada have not provided per-ship cost estimates, citing ongoing design work and the complexity of the project.

Experts believe that the secrecy surrounding the program may be influenced by past procurement challenges, such as the F-35 fighter jet saga, which led to public outrage over cost projections. The federal government’s reluctance to share cost estimates has raised concerns about transparency and accountability in the procurement process.

Alan Williams, a former head of purchasing at the Defence Department, criticized the lack of cost estimates for the warships, emphasizing the need for transparency in government spending. He highlighted the importance of informing the public about how taxpayer money is being allocated.

Despite the secrecy surrounding the program, the government announced an $8-billion down payment for the construction of the first three destroyers. However, the milestone announcement was made in a low-key manner, raising questions about the government’s communication strategy.

Government watchdogs have also faced challenges in obtaining shipbuilding data and cost estimates for the program. The Parliamentary Budget Office has been engaged in a prolonged battle for information on the project, highlighting the difficulty in assessing the true cost of the warship procurement.

To provide context for the Canadian program, experts have pointed to cost estimates from allied countries like the U.K. and Australia, which are also building ships based on the Type 26 design. Australia estimated that each of their Hunter-class frigates would cost $4.1 billion, while the U.K. has a $6.8-billion program with an average ship cost of $1.9 billion.

Overall, the secrecy surrounding the navy’s new destroyers program has raised concerns about transparency, accountability, and public oversight. As the project progresses, stakeholders will be closely monitoring developments to ensure that taxpayer funds are being effectively and efficiently utilized in the construction of the warships.