Continental Defence Corvette

[Rainbow1910]

Even with savings from such reused equipment, I struggle to see how 20 corvettes could fit in a $5-billion Canadian dollar budget. Most likely IMHO is some capabilities will be de-scoped (or not scoped at all). There simply is IMHO not enough money.

$5B is an incredibly strange figure that doesn't seem to fit with anything in the slightest, personally I'm discounting it at this point as inaccurate.

 

[Czech_pivo]

$5B is an incredibly strange figure that doesn't seem to fit with anything in the slightest, personally I'm discounting it at this point as inaccurate.

The amount is like Goldilocks porridge - not to hot and not to cold - an amount that won't necessarily set people off initially but just enough to show that something potentially serious is happening.

 

[Kirkhill]

$5B is an incredibly strange figure that doesn't seem to fit with anything in the slightest, personally I'm discounting it at this point as inaccurate.

Based on the government's Defence Capability Blueprint they only seem to be able to count to 5 Billion. The projects on that list are given budget bands. The upper band is
">5 Billion".

So ....1,2,3,4,5,many.

 

[oldcpu]

I think that any budget talk is likely premature. $5 billion is a random number attached to an unknown number of ships. 8, 12, 15 or 20 ships? With what armament? That could be an amazing deal or a complete rip off depending on their engineering plant and weapons.

As far as recycling old equipment a lot of times it's just better to buy new. Sure use the same equipment but get new models.

Refurbished are sometimes fine as you can get the equipment from another budget item, not necessarily saving money but not costing the project any money.

If the $5 billion is a random number assigned to 8 corvettes or less, I would agree. Go for newer equipment.

But if one is talking 12 to 20 corvettes, with only $5-billion Canadian to spend, then if one cranks the numbers, it really does become very very clear that it is not possible to buy much newer equipment unless the corvette is downsized to almost patrol boat functionality. In such a $5-billion Canadian dollar spending cap, re-using old equipment is really the only realistic way to arm the warships.

I guess we will need to wait to see how this (both requirements and budget available for the corvettes) unfolds.

 

[KevinB]

If the $5 billion is a random number assigned to 8 corvettes or less, I would agree. Go for newer equipment.

But if one is talking 12 to 20 corvettes, with only $5-billion Canadian to spend, then if one cranks the numbers, it really does become very very clear that it is not possible to buy much newer equipment unless the corvette is downsized to almost patrol boat functionality. In such a $5-billion Canadian dollar spending cap, re-using old equipment is really the only realistic way to arm the warships.

I guess we will need to wait to see how this (both requirements and budget available for the corvettes) unfolds.

I am always confused by how Canada does Defence Procurement, but could the $5B number not be initial program costs, and first batch - with more to follow?

 

[Czech_pivo]

$5B is an incredibly strange figure that doesn't seem to fit with anything in the slightest, personally I'm discounting it at this point as inaccurate.

The amount is like Goldilocks porridge - not to hot and not to cold - an amount that won't necessarily set people off initially but just enough to show that something potentially serious is happening.

I am always confused by how Canada does Defence Procurement, but could the $5B number not be initial program costs, and first batch - with more to follow?

5B for the first batch of 5?

 

[Underway]

I am always confused by how Canada does Defence Procurement, but could the $5B number not be initial program costs, and first batch - with more to follow?

Accrual accounting takes into account the full life cycle and operating costs. The sub program has done a good job of teasing these out into the seperate hulls + maintanence costs to better explain to taxpayers what that means.

I think the $5 billion honestly is an internet rumour that means nothing. We have no idea what the cost is going to be.

There are a lot of costs that go into warships that are hidden. Software development and engineering plant for example. If they end up with a high end diesel or DE only ship that's a big saving in power plant (no gas turbine and associated costs). For combat management system design they could literally take CMS 330 as currently fitted for the CPF's and slightly modify the software, particularly if they are re-running the same equipment (ESSM, 57mm, same radars, same EW suite, etc...). The hardware would remain the same.

But honestly we'll have to see with the RFI says, and that will get us a better idea as to the budget and capabilites, to nail down an appropriate cost.

 

[Kirkhill]

I don't think this one has been posted yet.

An entertaining, if Vard heavy, summary of speculation and information to date, as of a week ago.